Determination of the percentage adsorption of unknown organic compounds from water with a multi-column technique

A technique is presented for the determination on a laboratory scale of the percentage removal from water, by an adsorption column system, of one or more organic compounds which give a linear response in the column eluate. This response may be due to a physical, chemical or biological effect. The technique is useful for situations where the concentrations of organic substances in water cannot be determined, either directly on water or in an extract of the water.Formulae for this technique were derived and evaluated with organic compounds which could be determined in water.The use of the technique is illustrated by screening a number of adsorbents for their capacity to remove mutagens from water. The technique is especially useful in situations whether the percentage adsorption of unknown organic compounds, which can only be detected in the eluate, has to be determined.     

Adsorption of chlorinated organic compounds on activated carbon from water

The adsorption capacities and rates of seven principal chlorinated organic compounds for six commercial GACs were investigated. All the adsorption isotherms were expressed by the Freundlich equation, and the isotherms for the chloroethylenes such as trans - 1,2-dichloroethylene, trichloroethylene and tetrachloroethylene could be shown by the modified Freundlich equation Q′ = k′ (C/C_s)^l/n for each GAC. The magnitude of adsorption of the chlorinated organic compounds was in the order of: tetrachloroethylene > trichloroethylene > trans - 1,2-dichloroethylene > 1,1-dichloroethane > carbontetrachloride > 1.1,1-trichloroethane > chloroform. The value of k for a certain GAC could be predicted from the quantity of pores smaller than 2 nm in diameter. The adsorbed amounts were decreased by 10–20% when humic substances coexisted. The working periods of a fixed bed adsorber before regeneration were predicted by calculating breakthrough curves for various influent concentrations of trichloroethylene and tetrachloroethylene at the space velocities of 5 or 10 h⁻¹, and it was certified that the adsorption method by GAC was feasible for removing these compounds from water.     

Selective removal of perfluorooctane sulfonate from aqueous solution using chitosan-based molecularly imprinted polymer adsorbents

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) pollution in aqueous environment is a problem of global concern. A novel chitosan-based molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) was prepared by crosslinking with epichlorohydrin (ECH) in the presence of PFOS as the template. During the preparation of the MIP adsorbents, the template amount and crosslinking agents significantly affected the imprinting effect. The optimized MIP adsorbents had a sorption amount of 560 μmol g⁻¹ for PFOS, while the sorption amount of the non-imprinted polymer (NIP) was only 258 μmol g⁻¹. The sorption behaviors of the MIP adsorbents including sorption kinetics, isotherms, effect of pH, ionic strength and selective sorption were investigated in detail. Sorption experimental results showed that the MIP adsorbents had good selectivity for PFOS, while other anionic contaminants with different structure had little influence on the sorption of the target PFOS. It was found that the electrostatic interaction played an important role in recognizing the target compound in the sorption process. Additionally, the MIP adsorbents could be used at least five times without any loss in sorption capacity. The chitosan-based MIP adsorbents may find potential application in water or wastewater treatment for the selective removal of PFOS.     

Adsorption of organic compounds onto activated carbon

Adsorption isotherms of acetone, propionaldehyde, methylisobutylketone and sucrose from aqueous solutions onto granular activated carbon have been determined.Multi-solute data have been compared with the theoretical prediction obtained from ideal adsorbed solution model.The agreement between calculated and observed results is satisfactory. Only the system sucrosemethylisobutylketone shows significant deviation between experimental and predicted values. Therefore the model can be successfully utilized in design of activated carbon units.     

Adsorption of tri- and tetra-chloroethylene from aqueous solutions on activated carbon fibers

Recently the contamination of groundwater by trichloroethylene and related compounds have become a new environmental problem. As the first step to clarify the feasibility of applying newly developed adsorbent, activated carbon fiber (ACF), to adsorption treatments of water taken from such a contaminated groundwater source, the adsorption equilibrium and the adsorption rate of trichloroethylene and tetrachloroethylene from aqueous solutions on four ACFs with different pore-size distribution were investigated. The adsorption capacities of ACFs having larger volume of micropores are larger than those of granular activated carbons (GACs) usually used at present. Also, the adsorption rate on ACFs is far more rapid in comparison with GAC adsorption because of smaller diffusion path.     

Simplification of the IAST for activated carbon adsorption of trace organic compounds from natural water

Recent studies have shown that the ideal adsorbed solution theory (IAST) coupled with the concept of equivalent background compound (EBC) can be simplified for describing trace organic compound adsorption from natural water, provided that the adsorbent surface loading is dominated by competing natural organic matter. The resulting simplified IAST has been used to reduce the complexity of kinetic models for various dynamic adsorption processes. In order to be correctly applied, however, the simplified IAST requires some additional clarification and a quantitative evaluation of the deviation caused by the simplifying assumption. In this study, we derive a simple equation that relates the relative deviation of the simplified IAST directly to the molar ratio of EBC and trace organic compound surface loadings and their Freundlich isotherm exponents. We then verify the simplified IAST using the original IAST and experimental isotherm data from the literature for trace organic compounds at various initial concentrations in natural water. By further assuming that the adsorbed amount of the EBC is substantially greater than what remains in solution, a new pseudo single-solute isotherm equation is derived and a simple relation is subsequently established between the carbon dose and the remaining trace compound concentration. The results show that the adsorption capacity and relative removal of a trace organic compound at any carbon dose can be estimated directly with the simple equations developed here and data from a single isotherm experiment for the target compound conducted in the natural water of interest.     

Assessment of organic chlorinated compound removal from aqueous matrices by adsorption on activated carbon

Adsorption on activated carbon is currently the most frequently used technology to remove organic chlorinated pollutants from wastewaters. The present study examines the ability of five commercially available types of activated carbon to remove organic chlorinated compounds from the effluent of a chemical plant. The various types were tested on the basis of Freundlich adsorption isotherms for 14 pure organic chlorinated compounds, of molecular weight ranging from that of dichloromethane (MW=84.93 gmol(-1)) to hexachlorobenzene (MW=284.78 gmol(-1)). The best was selected and used in a laboratory fixed-bed column to assess its removal efficiency with respect to the tested organic chlorinated compounds. Removal efficiency was always higher than 90%. These results provide information necessary to optimize scale-up from the pilot plant to the real one.     

活性炭粉对硝基苯水相洗消性能实验研究

选取活性炭粉作为洗消剂,以硝基苯为洗消吸附对象,对其水相泄漏进行小型实验模拟。利用恒温水浴振荡加热、紫外光谱、控制变量等方法,精确得到活性炭粉对硝基苯的水相洗消量,并结合洗消动力学、洗消等温机理等理论模型计算出相应方程,对其洗消机理和影响因素进行深入研究。得出活性炭粉对硝 基苯的水相洗消不仅仅是物理吸附过程,还受内部化学分配以及 电子间相互作用的影响的结论。     

Impact of pH on the adsorption and desorption kinetics of 2-nitrophenol on activated carbons

The adsorption and desorption kinetics of 2-nitrophenol (2NP) from aqueous solutions using F-400 and WV-B granular activated carbons (GAC) have been studied at pHs 1, 4.6 and 13, using batch tests. Adsorption and desorption kinetics of 2NP on to both carbons were adequately described by the homogeneous solid surface diffusion model (HSSD). The adsorption and desorption kinetics can be predicted at different pHs by using adsorption kinetics parameters of the pH 4.6 and the isotherm parameters for the corresponding pH. Thus, the differences in the rates of adsorption are primarily attributable to the differences in the equilibrium loadings at the various pHs.     

Removal of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol and natural organic matter from water supplies using PAC in floc-blanket reactors

The objective of this study was to evaluate the addition of powdered activated carbon (PAC) to upflow floc-blanket reactors for the adsorption of natural and synthetic organic chemicals. A 15.5-1. bench-scale floc-blanket reactor was operated with PAC addition for the adsorption of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (TCP) and natural organic matter from one groundwater and two surface waters under laboratory and field conditions, respectively. Influent TCP concentrations ranged from 21 to 415 μg/l. The PAC doses ranged from 2 to 12 mg/l. While the hydraulic residence time in the floc-blanket reactor varied from 15 to 30 min, the carbon residence time ranged from 9 to 34 h. This is due to the high solids concentration in the floc blanket, which ranged from 1200 to 8700 mg/l. Comparison between the extent of TCP adsorption through the floc-blanket reactor and the equilibrium adsorption isotherms of TCP on PAC showed that the maximum adsorption capacity of PAC for TCP was utilized in the reactor. However, this study showed that the maximum adsorptive capacity of the carbon in a continuous process is dependent on the influent adsorbate concentration. This was in agreement with isotherm studies conducted with varying initial TCP concentration. The maximum PAC adsorption capacity for natural organic matter was also achieved in the floc-blanket reactor.     

Application of powdered activated carbon for the adsorption of cylindrospermopsin and microcystin toxins from drinking water supplies

Cylindrospermopsin (CYN) and microcystin are two potent toxins that can be produced by cyanobacteria in drinking water supplies. This study investigated the application of powdered activated carbon (PAC) for the removal of these toxins under conditions that could be experienced in a water treatment plant. Two different PACs were evaluated for their ability to remove CYN and four microcystin variants from various drinking water supplies. The removal of natural organic material by the PACs was also determined by measuring the levels of dissolved organic carbon and UV absorbance (at 254 nm). The PACs effectively removed CYN and the microcystins from each of the waters studied, with one of the PACs shown to be more effective, possibly due to its smaller particle diameter. No difference in removal of the toxins was observed using PAC contact times of 30, 45 and 60 min. Furthermore, the effect of water quality on the removal of the toxins was minimal. The microcystin variants were adsorbed in the order: MCRR > MCYR > MCLR > MCLA. CYN was found to be adsorbed similarly to MCRR.     

Equilibrium studies during the removal of dyestuffs from aqueous solutions using Bagasse pith

The adsorption of four dyestuffs, namely, Basic Blue 69 (BB69), Basic Red 22 (BR22), Acid Red 114 (AR114) and Acid Blue 25 (AB25), onto bagasse pith has been studied. Bagasse pith is a cheap, abundant waste product from the sugar industry in Egypt and was found to have the following monolayer equilibrium saturation capacities: 158, 77, 23 and 22 mg dye g⁻¹ pith.

The effects of pith particle size range and dye solution temperature were studied. The equilibrium data were analysed using Langmuir, Freundlich and Jossens isotherms.     

Absorption of the selenite anion from aqueous solutions by thermally activated layered double hydroxide

The presence of selenite or selenate in potable water is a health hazard especially when consumed over a long period of time. Its removal from potable water is of importance. This paper reports technology for the removal of selenite from water through the use of thermally activated layered double hydroxides.Mg/Al hydrotalcites with selenite in the interlayer were prepared at different times from 0.5 to 20 h through ion exchange. X-ray diffraction of the MgAlSeO₃ hydrotalcites indicates that the selenite anion entered the interlayer spacing of Mg/Al hydrotalcite and MgAlSeO₃ hydrotalcite was formed. Raman spectra proved the presence of selenite anion in the hydrotalcite interlayer as the counter anion. The band intensity and width of MgAlSeO₃ hydrotalcite in the region of 3800-3000 cm⁻¹ increase with the adsorption of selenite by the Mg/Al hydrotalcite. The characteristic bands of free selenite anions in the MgAlSeO₃ hydrotalcites are located between the region between 850 and 800 cm⁻¹. The Raman spectra of the lower wave number region of 550-500 cm⁻¹ show a shift toward higher wave numbers with adsorption of the selenite. An estimation of the amount of selenite anion removed by the thermally activated layered double hydroxide was obtained through the measurement of the intensity of the selenite Raman bands at 814 and 835 cm⁻¹ resulting from the amount of selenite anion remaining in solution. Thermally activated LDHs provide a mechanism for removing selenite anions from aqueous solutions.     

Fractionation of dissolved organic matter from surface waters using macroporous resins

To obtain fractions enriched with biodegradable dissolved organic carbon (BDOC) or with organic compounds responsible for the chlorine demand (CID) and for trihalomethane formation potential (THMFP), Seine river water samples were percolated on various macroporous resins (anionic, cationic and non-ionic) and compared with granulated activated carbon (GAC). In addition, measurement of UV absorbance at 254 nm and the fluorescence index (λ_excitation 320 nm) had allowed to follow up the retention of dissolved organic matter by the different adsorbants. In contrast to cationic and non-ionic resins, anionic resins confirm their excellent retention capacity of organic compounds responsible for UV 254 absorbance and fluorescence index. The relative values of BDOC/DOC ratio (mg-C/mg-C) are slightly increased in the effluents of anionic resins, indicating that they retain a little preferentially the refractory fraction instead of the biodegradable fraction. There is no significant difference between the ratio of CID/DOC (mg-Cl₂/mg-C) in influent and effluent of anionic resins. Cationic resin has a low capacity for retention of DOC, but they seem to retain significantly the organic compounds responsible for CID. The capability of anionic resins to retain THMFP is similar to that of GAC.     

The adsorption of various pollutants from aqueous solutions on to activated carbon

The ability of activated carbon. Filtrasorb 400, to adsorb various pollutants from aqueous solutions has been studied. The pollutants investigated are phenol, p-chlorophenol, sodium dodecyl sulphate, mercuric ions and chromic(III) ions. The saturation adsorption capacity of the activated carbon for the pollutants is 213, 434, 361, 35 and 138 mg g^?1 for phenol, p-chlorophenol, sodium dodecylsulphate, chromium(III) and mercuric(II) respectively. Equilibrium isotherm analyses were undertaken using Langmuir and Freundlich equations.     

Comparison of advanced oxidation processes for the removal of natural organic matter

This study examined the impact of UV, ozone (O₃), advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) including O₃/UV, H₂O₂/UV H₂O₂/O₃ in the change of molecular weight distribution (MWD) and disinfection by-product formation potential (DBPFP). Bench-scale experiments were conducted with surface river water and changes in the UV absorbance at 254 nm (UV₂₅₄), total organic carbon (TOC), trihalomethane and haloacetic acid formation potential (THMFP, HAAFP) and MWD of the raw and oxidized water were analyzed to evaluate treatment performance. Combination of O₃ and UV with H₂O₂ was found to result in more TOC and UV₂₅₄ reduction than the individual processes. The O₃/UV process was found to be the most effective AOP for NOM reduction, with TOC and UV₂₅₄ reduced by 31 and 88%, respectively. Application of O₃/UV and H₂O₂/UV treatments to the source waters organics with 190-1500 Da molecular weight resulted in the near complete alteration of the molecular weight of NOM from >900 Da to <300 Da H₂O₂/UV was found to be the most effective treatment for the reduction of THM and HAA formation under uniform formation conditions. These results could hold particular significance for drinking water utilities with low alkalinity source waters that are investigating AOPs, as there are limited published studies that have evaluated the treatment efficacy of five different oxidation processes in parallel.     

Assessing granular media filtration for the removal of chemical contaminants from wastewater

Granular media filtration was evaluated for the removal of a suite of chemical contaminants that can be found in wastewater. Laboratory- and pilot-scale sand and granular activated carbon (GAC) filters were trialled for their ability to remove atrazine, estrone (E1), 17α-ethynylestradiol (EE2), N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), N-nitrosomorpholine (NMOR) and N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA). In general, sand filtration was ineffective in removing the contaminants from a tertiary treated wastewater, with the exception of E1 and EE2, where efficient removals were observed after approximately 150 d. Batch degradation experiments confirmed that the removal of E1 was through biological activity, with a pseudo-first-order degradation rate constant of 7.4 × 10⁻³ h⁻¹. GAC filtration was initially able to effectively remove all contaminants; although removals decreased over time due to competition with other organics present in the water. The only exception was atrazine where removal remained consistently high throughout the experiment. Previously unreported differences were observed in the adsorption of the three nitrosamines, with the ease of removal following the trend, NDEA > NMOR > NDMA, consistent with their hydrophobic character. In most instances the removals from the pilot-scale filters were generally in agreement with the laboratory-scale filter, suggesting that there is potential in using laboratory-scale filters as monitoring tools to evaluate the performance of pilot- and possibly full-scale sand and GAC filters at wastewater treatment plants.     

Structure-sorption properties of thermoexpanded graphite and possibilities of its use for the removal of organic matter from aqueous solutions

Based on the data on adsorption of vapors of nitrogen, n-hexane, water, and electrochemical measurements it has been shown that thermoexpanded graphite possesses a nonuniform-porous structure and a vividly expressed hydrophobic surface per 1 m² of which there are ～10¹⁸ of active hydrophilic centers. We have carried out their identification. We have investigated adsorption of anionic (sulfonol, direct scarlet dye, fulvic acids), cationic (crystalline violet dye), and nonionogenic (i-OcPh(OE)₁₀) organic matter on the surface of thermoexpanded graphite. It has been shown that the use of the sorbent under investigation in the processes of water purification of dissolved organic compounds has good prospects.     

Selection and evaluation of adsorbents for the removal of anionic surfactants from laundry rinsing water

Low-cost adsorbents were tested to remove anionic surfactants from laundry rinsing water to allow re-use of water. Adsorbents were selected corresponding to the different surfactant adsorption mechanisms. Equilibrium adsorption studies of linear alkyl benzene sulfonate (LAS) show that ionic interaction results in a high maximum adsorption capacity on positively charged adsorbents of 0.6-1.7 gLAS/g. Non-ionic interactions, such as hydrophobic interactions of LAS with non-ionic resins or activated carbons, result in a lower adsorption capacity of 0.02-0.6 gLAS/g. Negatively charged materials, such as cation exchange resins or bentonite clay, have negligible adsorption capacities for LAS. Similar results are obtained for alpha olefin sulfonate (AOS). Cost comparison of different adsorbents shows that an inorganic anion exchange material (layered double hydroxide) and activated carbons are the most cost-effective materials in terms of the amount of surfactant adsorbed per dollar worth of adsorbent.