Dual solute adsorption of 2,4,6‐trichlorophenol and N‐[2‐(2,4,6‐trichlorophenoxy)propyl]amine on to activated carbon

The capacities of four activated carbon types to adsorb both 2,4,6‐trichlorophenol (TCP) and N‐[2‐(2,4,6‐trichlorophenoxy)propyl]amine (BTS40348), as single‐ and dual‐solutes, at pH 4, 7 and 9, were evaluated by use of the Freundlich isotherm model. Coal‐based activated carbon type F400 was found to most strongly adsorb both compounds, with adsorption optima at pH 4 and 9 for TCP and BTS40348, respectively. In dual‐solute isotherms, the adsorptive capacity for each solute was reduced with pH, dictating which solute was most strongly adsorbed. Compared with these batch isotherms, F400 adsorptive capacity was reduced in flow‐through column studies. Activated carbon bioregeneration was studied but the adsorptive capacity of the flow‐through column did not increase, indicating that biologically‐mediated desorption of solute did not occur. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry