Adsorption kinetics and modeling of H2S by treated waste oil fly ash

Waste oil fly ash (OFA) collected from disposal of power generation plants was treated by physicochemical activation technique to improve the surface properties of OFA. This synthesized material was further used for potential hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) adsorption from synthetic natural gas. The raw OFA was basically modified with a mixture of acids (20% nitric acid [HNO₃] and 80% phosphoric acid [H₃PO₄]), and it was further treated with 2 M potassium hydroxide (KOH) to enhance the surface affinity as well as surface area of synthesized activated carbon. Correspondingly, it enhanced the adsorption of H₂S. Crystallinity, surface morphology, and pore volume distribution of prepared activated carbon were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analyses. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) study was also performed to identify the functional groups during different synthesis stages of modified activated carbon. The Langmuir, Freundlich, Sips, and dual-site Langmuir (DSL) models were used to study the kinetic and breakthrough behavior of H₂S adsorption over alkali-modified activated carbon. Modeling results of isotherms indicated that OFA has dual sites with high and low affinity for H₂S adsorption. The Clark model, Thomas model, and Yoon-Nelson model were used to examine the effects of flow rate and inlet concentration on the adsorption of H₂S. Maximum uptake capacity of 8.5 mg/g was achieved at 100 ppm inlet concentration and flow rate of 0.2 L/min.

Implications: Utilization of worthless oil fly ash from power plant is important not only for cleaning the environment but also for solid waste minimization. This research scope is to eradicate one pollutant by using another pollutant (waste ash) as a raw material. Chemical functionalization of synthesized activated carbon from oil fly ash would lead to attachment of functional groups of basic nature to attract the acidic H₂S. Such type of treatment can enhance the uptake capacity of sorbent several times.     

Effect of mercury and arsenic from industrial effluents on the drinking water and comparison of the water quality of polluted and non-polluted areas: a case study of Peshawar and Lower Dir

The purpose of the present study was to find out the sources of mercury and arsenic pollution of water in the industrial area of Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Samples of effluents, mud, and water were collected from the target area (industrial area of Peshawar), the area of water supply source, and from the less polluted area, the Lower Dir district, as the control. Hg was determined by the cold vapor generation technique, while arsenic was determined using the electrothermal atomic absorption technique. Data of the water from the industrial area were compared with that of the source area, control area, as well as with the WHO and some international drinking water quality standards. The results show that some parameters, i.e., TDS, DO, pH, and hardness, were more than the permissible limits. Textile and glass industries were found to be the major sources of Hg and As pollution. Downstream dilution of these contaminants was also observed.     

Evaluation of micro- and nano-carbon-based adsorbents for the removal of phenol from aqueous solutions

This work reports on the adsorption efficiency of two classes of adsorbents: nano-adsorbents including carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and carbon nanofibers (CNFs); and micro-adsorbents including activated carbon (AC) and fly ash (FA). The materials were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis, transmission electron microscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) specific surface area, zeta potential, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and UV spectroscopy. The adsorption experimental conditions such as pH of the solution, agitation speed, contact time, initial concentration of phenol, and adsorbent dosage were optimized for their influence on the phenol. The removal efficiency of the studied adsorbents has the following order: AC > CNTs > FA > CNFs. The capacity obtained from Langmuir isotherm was found to be 1.348, 1.098, 1.007, and 0.842 mg/g of AC, CNTs, FA, and CNFs, respectively, at 2 hours of contact time, pH 7, an adsorbent dosage of 50 mg, and a speed of 150 rpm. The higher adsorption of phenol on AC can be attributed to its high surface area and its dispersion in water. The optimum values of these variables for maximum removal of phenol were also determined. The experimental data were fitted well to Langmuir than Freundlich isotherm models.     

Health risks associated with heavy metals in the drinking water of Swat, northern Pakistan

The concentrations of heavy metals such as Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn were investigated in drinking water sources （surface and groundwater） collected from Swat valley, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The potential health risks of heavy metals to the local population and their possible source apportionment were also studied. Heavy metal concentrations were analysed using atomic absorption spectrometer and compared with permissible limits set by Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency and World Health Organization. The concentrations of Cd, Cr, Ni and Pb were higher than their respective permissible limits, while Cu, Mn and Zn concentrations were observed within their respective limits. Health risk indicators such as chronic daily intake （CDI） and health risk index （HRI） were calculated for adults and children separately. CDIs and HRIs of heavy metals were found in the order of Cr 〉 Mn 〉 Ni 〉 Zn 〉 Cd 〉 Cu 〉 Pb and Cd 〉 Ni 〉 Mn 〉 Cr 〉 Cu 〉 Pb 〉 Zn, respectively. HRIs of selected heavy metals in the drinking water were less than 1, indicating no health risk to the local people. Multivariate and univariate statistical analyses showed that geologic and anthropogenic activities were the possible sources of water contamination with heavy metals in the study area.