Siloxanes removal from biogas by high surface area adsorbents

Biogas utilized for energy production needs to be free from organic silicon compounds, as their burning has damaging effects on turbines and engines; organic silicon compounds in the form of siloxanes can be found in biogas produced from urban wastes, due to their massive industrial use in synthetic product, such as cosmetics, detergents and paints.Siloxanes removal from biogas can be carried out by various methods (Mona, 2009, Ajhar et al., 2010, Schweigkofler and Niessner, 2001); aim of the present work is to find a single practical and economic way to drastically and simultaneously reduce both the hydrogen sulphide and the siloxanes concentration to less than 1 ppm. Some commercial activated carbons previously selected (Monteleone et al., 2011) as being effective in hydrogen sulfide up taking have been tested in an adsorption measurement apparatus, by flowing the most volatile siloxane (hexamethyldisiloxane or L2) in a nitrogen stream, typically 100–200 ppm L2 over N₂, through an activated carbon powder bed; the adsorption process was analyzed by varying some experimental parameters (concentration, grain size, bed height). The best activated carbon shows an adsorption capacity of 0.1 g L2 per gram of carbon. The next thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) confirms the capacity data obtained experimentally by the breakthrough curve tests.The capacity results depend on L2 concentration. A regenerative carbon process is then carried out by heating the carbon bed up to 200 °C and flushing out the adsorbed L2 samples in a nitrogen stream in a three step heating procedure up to 200 °C. The adsorption capacity is observed to degrade after cycling the samples through several adsorption–desorption cycles.     

Agricultural solid waste for the removal of organics: adsorption of phenol from water and wastewater by palm seed coat activated carbon

Adsorption studies for phenol removal from aqueous solution on activated palm seed coat carbon (PSCC) were carried out under varying experimental conditions of contact time, phenol concentration, adsorbent dose and pH. Adsorption equilibrium was reached within 3 h for phenolic concentrations 10-60 mg l(-1). Kinetics of adsorption obeyed a first order rate equation. The percent removal remained constant over the pH range 4-9 for a phenolic concentration of 25 mg (l-1). The equilibrium data could be described well by the Freundlich isotherm equation. The adsorption of phenol on PSCC follows the film diffusion process. A comparative study with a commercial activated carbon showed that PSCC is two times more effective than commercial activated carbon. The studies showed that the palm seed coat carbon can be used as an efficient adsorbent material for the removal of phenolics from water and wastewater.     

用微孔填充理论研究活性炭对有机气体的吸附性能

用微孔填充理论研究了活性炭C40／4对丙酮、甲苯、二氯甲烷有机气体的吸附性能,测试了该活性炭对3种有机气体在不同温度下（288．15,293．15,298．15K）的吸附结果。用D—R方程处理了实验数据,建立了3种有机气体在活性炭C40／4上的等温吸附模型,并将实验测试值与理论预测值进行了比较。实验结果表明：微孔填充理论及D—R方程可很好地描述活性炭C40／4对有机气体的吸附性能,理论预测值与实验测试值的平均相对误差小于3％;有机气体分压较高时,由于发生毛细凝聚,理论预测值较实验测试值偏低。     

Treatment of mercury‐contaminated soils with activated carbon: A laboratory,field, and modeling study

A series of laboratory batch leaching tests was conducted to evaluate the performance of different activated carbons in stabilizing mercury in soils. Based on the results of these experiments, an amendment application rate of 5 percent powdered activated carbon (PAC) was selected for in situ field application at a former industrial facility. A geochemical model was also developed to simulate the interactions between mercury and activated carbon in vadose‐zone soils. Modeling was used to (1) better understand possible mercury sequestration mechanisms and (2) predict the in situ performance of PAC. Model results indicate dissolved mercury concentrations observed in batch tests are consistent with equilibrium partitioning of mercury between dissolved organic matter, soil organic matter, and PAC. Activated carbon is predicted to reduce dissolved mercury concentrations via two mechanisms: (1) the formation of stable mercury complexes on PAC surfaces and (2) the direct adsorption of dissolved organic matter that would otherwise be available for mercury dissolution. Study results demonstrate PAC effectiveness for site soils with mercury concentrations below 200 mg/kg. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Tailoring mesoporosity of poly(furfuryl alcohol)-based activated carbons and their ability to adsorb organic compounds from water

In this work it was shown that polymers can be recycled into a promising adsorbent for organic dyes and phenols waste removal. For this, a series of activated carbons (ACs) were produced from mixture of ferrocene or titanium acetylacetonate with poly(furfuryl alcohol) (PFA) by steam activation. The introduction of ferrocene as Fe precursor was found to be an efficient catalyst in mesoporosity development during carbonization and subsequent steam activation at 850 °C, whereas the polymer based only and titanium-doped ACs are typically microporous. The porous structure parameters were determined from nitrogen adsorption isotherms measured at 77 K. Scanning electron microscopy was applied to monitor the metal distribution of metal-loaded char and the surface morphology of activated carbons. The adsorption capacity was found to be dependent mainly on pore size distribution. In the case of phenol adsorption, the adsorption was defined by volume of pore with size 0.8–1.4 nm; whereas, for Congo red best fit was observed for volume of pore with size 2–5 nm.

     

Adsorption characteristics of siloxanes in landfill gas by the adsorption equilibrium test

Due to the increase in energy cost by constantly high oil prices and the obligation to reduce greenhouse effect gases, landfill gas is frequently used as an alternative energy source for producing heat and electricity. Most of landfill gas utility facilities, however, are experiencing problems controlling siloxanes from landfill gas as their catalytic oxidizers are becoming fouled by silicon dioxide dust. To evaluate adsorption characteristics of siloxanes, an adsorption equilibrium test was conducted and parameters in the Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms were analyzed. Coconut activated carbon (CA1), coal activated carbon (CA2), impregnated activated carbon (CA3), silicagel (NCA1), and activated alumina (NCA2) were used for the adsorption of the mixed siloxane which contained hexamethyldisiloxane (L2), octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4), and decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D5). L2 had higher removal efficiency in noncarbon adsorbents compared to carbon adsorbents. The application of Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherm demonstrated that coconut based CA1 and CA3 provided higher adsorption capacity on L2. And CA2 and NCA1 provided higher adsorption capacity on D4 and D5. Based on the experimental results, L2, D4, and D5 were converted by adsorption and desorption in noncarbon adsorbents. Adsorption affinity of siloxane is considered to be affect by the pore size distribution of the adsorbents and by the molecular size of each siloxane.     

Removal potential of toxic 2378-substituted PCDD/F from incinerator flue gases by waste-derived activated carbons

The application of activated carbons has become a commonly used emission control protocol for the removal or adsorption of persistent organic pollutants from the flue gas streams of waste incinerators. In this study, the 2378-substituted PCDD/F removal efficiency of three types of activated carbons derived from the pyrolysis of refuse derived fuel, textile waste and scrap tyre was investigated and compared with that of a commercial carbon. Experiments were carried out in a laboratory scale fixed-bed reactor under a simulated flue gas at 275 °C with a reaction period of four days. The PCDD/F in the solid matrices and exhaust gas, were analyzed using gas chromatography coupled with a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. In the absence of activated carbon adsorbent, there was a significant increase in the concentration of toxic PCDD/F produced in the reacted flyash, reaching up to 6.6 times higher than in the raw flyash. In addition, there was a substantial release of PCDD/F into the gas phase, which was found in the flue gas trapping system. By application of the different commercial, refuse derived fuel, textile and tyre activated carbons the total PCDD/F toxic equivalent removal efficiencies in the exhaust gas stream were 58%, 57%, 64% and 52%, respectively. In general, the removal of the PCDDs was much higher with an average of 85% compared to PCDFs at 41%. Analysis of the reacted activated carbons showed that there was some formation of PCDD/F, for instance, a total of 60.6 μg I-TEQ kg⁻¹ toxic PCDD/F was formed in the refuse derived fuel activated carbon compared to 34 μg I-TEQ kg⁻¹ in the commercial activated carbon. The activated carbons derived from the pyrolysis of waste, therefore, showed good potential as a control material for PCDD/F emissions in waste incinerator flue gases.     

Organically modified clay removes oil from water

When bentonite or other clays and zeolites are modified with quaternary amines, they become organophilic. Such modified bentonites are used to remove mechanically emulsified oil and grease, and other sparingly soluble organics. If the organoclay is granulated, it is placed into a liquid phase carbon filter vessel to remove FOGs (Free Oil and Grease) and chlorinated hydrocarbons. In this application the clay is mixed with anthrazite to prevent early plugging of the filter by oil or grease droplets. In batch systems a powdered organoclay is employed. Organoclay removes mechanically emulsified oil and grease at 5–7 times the rate of activated carbon, or 50% of its dry weight. Oil and grease and other large sparingly soluble chlorinated hydrocarbons and NOMs (Natural Organic Matter) blind the pores of activated carbon (and ion-exchange resins), reducing its effectiveness significantly. It is therefore economically advantageous for the end user to prepolish the water before it enters carbon vessels. Operating costs can often be reduced by 50% or more.     

活性焦烟气脱汞的试验研究与数值模拟

采用固定床吸附系统,对自制褐煤活性焦的脱汞性能进行了试验研究,研究发现自制活性焦对烟气中Hg0有一定的吸附能力,随着Hg0的入口浓度的增加,活性焦质量的增加,活性焦的吸附量也在增加。40mg时3号活性焦由10ng/min汞入1：2浓度时26．68％的最大吸附效率提高到40ng／min汞入口浓度时的53．12％。10ng/min汞入口浓度时3号活性焦在40mg时的最大吸附效率为26．68％,而在80mg时吸附效率提高到43．2％。烟气中的SO2、NO气体对活性焦吸附汞有一定的促进作用。在试验的基础上建立了固定床吸附系统的数学模型,基于Lan—mguir吸附系数,考虑吸附过程中颗粒内、外的传质控制过程,建立质量平衡方程。通过Matlab模型计算,计算结果与试验结果基本吻合,计算的活性焦脱汞效率要优于试验数值,计算的是理想情况下活性焦对汞的吸附效率,实际情况会有所降低。     

Effects of functionality and textural characteristics on the removal of Cd(II) by ammoniated and chlorinated nanoporous activated carbon

Virgin activated carbon (VAC) was chemically activated by hydrochloric acid and aqueous ammonia to obtain different surface functionalities and nanopore distributions. The N-tailored AC (NAC) acquired by alkali treatment significantly enhanced the cadmium sorption capacity, while the Cl-tailored AC obtained by acidic modification decreased the sorption capacity compared with that of VAC. With increasing ammonia concentration in the basic treatment, the NAC surface area was increased with declining pore volume and diameter, which increased the adsorption capacity for Cd(II) removal. However, increasing HCl concentration in the acidic modification decreased the surface area, with increasing pore volume and diameter, which decreased the cadmium adsorption capacity. The basic treatment created more alkaline-rich sites such as nitrogen-containing functional groups, on the carbon surface, thereby improving cadmium removal efficiency. However, the acidic treatment generated a stronger acidic chemical structure and much more the formation of the acyl- and alkyl chloride groups that greatly inhibited the Cd(II) sorption capacity.     

活性炭固定床吸附分离溶液中表面活性剂和多环芳烃

利用活性炭固定床吸附分离表面活性剂和多环芳烃(PAH)的混合溶液,选取了具代表性的表面活性剂(TX100)和PAH(菲(PHE)等)。实验结果表明,流量越低、活性炭填充量越多、表面活性剂浓度越高、PAH浓度越低,越有利于表面活性剂的回收和PAH的去除。定义了有效回收时间,该时间是指PAH穿透10%的时间与表面活性剂穿透90%的时间之差,该时间越长,越有利于表面活性剂的回收。采用BDST和Thomas模型对TX100和PHE进行了吸附模拟,效果均较好;BDST模型拟合结果表明,当活性炭对TX100的吸附接近饱和时仍对PHE有较强的吸附能力。活性炭固定床吸附分离法可节约运行成本0.06元/L。     

活性炭吸附回收挥发性有机物的研究进展

活性炭吸附法是目前使用范围最为广范、技术最为成熟的回收挥发性有机物（VOCs）的方法。该法与冷凝法联用,可达到经济、高效回收VOCs的目的。介绍了变压吸附和变温吸附等常见的活性炭吸附回收VOCs的工艺,分析比较了各工艺的特点,并指出了存在的问题。在总结现有研究进展的基础上,预测了活性炭吸附回收VOCs技术的发展趋势。     

活性炭吸附缓冲非稳态VOCs研究进展

活性炭类吸附剂可以有效地缓冲挥发性有机物(VOCs)的浓度负荷波动。综述了活性炭对非稳态VOCs吸附缓冲的作用原理及类型,从吸附剂、吸附质、进气性质和设备及操作条件等方面讨论了影响吸附缓冲性能的因素,并对今后该领域的研究方向提出了展望。指出:应当进一步研究吸附剂和吸附质的交互作用、波动负荷的影响以及VOCs在活性炭中的迁移扩散现象;同时,通过深层次的实验测试和模型模拟为反应器的设计和操作参数的估算提供指导。     

Physical and chemical properties study of the activated carbon made from sewage sludge

Preparation of activated carbon from sewage sludge is a promising way to produce a useful adsorbent for pollutants removal as well as to dispose of sewage sludge. The objective of this study was to investigate the physical and chemical properties of the activated carbon made from sewage sludge so as to give a basic understanding of its structure. The activated carbon was prepared by activating anaerobically digested sewage sludge with 5 M ZnCl2 and thereafter pyrolyzing it at 500 degrees C for 2 h under nitrogen atmosphere. The properties investigated in the present study included its surface area and pore size distribution, its elemental composition and ash content, its surface chemistry structure and its surface physical morphology. Furthermore, its adsorption capacities for aqueous phenol and carbontetrachloride were examined. The results indicated that the activated carbon made from sewage sludge had remarkable micropore and mesopore surface areas and notable adsorption capacities for phenol and carbon-tetrachloride. In comparison with commercial activated carbons, it displayed distinctive physical and chemical properties.     

Experimental and Modeling Studies for the Removal of Crystal Violet Dye from Aqueous Solutions using Eco-friendly <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gracilaria corticata</Emphasis> Seaweed Activated Carbon/Zn/Alginate Polymeric Composite Beads

This research article describes, an eco-friendly activated carbon prepared from the Gracilaria corticata seaweeds which was employed for the preparation of biodegradable polymeric beads for the efficient removal of crystal violet dye in an aqueous solution. The presence of chemical functional groups in the adsorbent material was detected using FTIR spectroscopy. The morphology and physical phases of the adsorbent materials were analyzed using SEM and XRD studies respectively. Batch mode dye adsorption behavior of the activated carbon/Zn/alginate polymeric beads was investigated as a function of dosage, solution pH, contact time, initial dye concentration and temperature. Maximum dye removal was observed at a pH of 5.0, 1 g of adsorbent dosage with 60 mg/L dye concentration, 50 min of contact time and at 30 °C. The equilibrium modeling studies were analyzed with Freundlich and Langmuir adsorption isotherms and the adsorption dynamics was predicted with Lagergren’s pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order equations and intra particle diffusion models. The process of dye removal followed a pseudo second-order kinetics rather than pseudo first order. The thermodynamic parameters like standard Gibbs free energy change (ΔG°), enthalpy change (ΔH°) and entropy change (ΔS°) were determined and the results imply that the adsorption process was spontaneous, endothermic and increases the randomness between the adsorbent and adsorbate. The results from the experimental and correlation data reveal that the Gracilaria corticata activated carbon/Zn/alginate polymeric beads have proved to be an excellent adsorbent material for the removal of CV dye.     

Optimizing Cr(VI) adsorption on activated carbon produced from heavy oil fly ash

In order to explore the beneficial utilization of heavy oil fly ash (HOFA) generated in the power plants, the present study is intended to optimize the chromium(VI) [Cr(VI)] adsorption on activated carbon produced from HOFA. The raw HOFA obtained from a power plant was washed by nitric/hydrochloric acid and activated at 800 °C with a holding time of 60 min to produce fly ash activated carbon (FAC). Phosphoric acid was used as a chemical agent to improve the surface characteristics of the HOFA during the activation process. Batch adsorption experiments were employed to evaluate the effects of different parameters such as initial Cr(VI) concentration, pH, and FAC dose on the removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solution. A total of 17 adsorption experimental runs were carried out employing the detailed conditions followed the response surface methodology based on the Box–Behnken design. The results indicate that developed FAC has the potential for removing Cr(VI) from wastewater. Under the test conditions, a maximum of 91.51 % Cr(VI) removal efficiency was achieved.     

Adsorption of malachite green on groundnut shell waste based powdered activated carbon

In the present technologically fast changing situation related to waste management practices, it is desirable that disposal of plant waste should be done in a scientific manner by keeping in view economic and pollution considerations. This is only possible when the plant waste has the potential to be used as raw material for some useful product. In the present study, groundnut shell, an agricultural waste, was used for the preparation of an adsorbent by chemical activation using ZnCl2 under optimized conditions and its comparative characterisation was conducted with commercially available powdered activated carbon (CPAC) for its physical, chemical and adsorption properties. The groundnut shell based powdered activated carbon (GSPAC) has a higher surface area, iodine and methylene blue number compared to CPAC. Both of the carbons were used for the removal of malachite green dye from aqueous solution and the effect of various operating variables, viz. adsorbent dose (0.1-1 g l(-1)), contact time (5-120 min) and adsorbate concentrations (100-200 mg l(-1)) on the removal of dye, has been studied. The experimental results indicate that at a dose of 0.5 g l(-1) and initial concentration of 100 mg l(-1), GSPAC showed 94.5% removal of the dye in 30 min equilibrium time, while CPAC removed 96% of the dye in 15 min. The experimental isotherm data were analyzed using the linearized forms of Freundlich, Langmuir and BET equations to determine maximum adsorptive capacities. The equilibrium data fit well to the Freundlich isotherm, although the BET isotherm also showed higher correlation for both of the carbons. The results of comparative adsorption capacity of both carbons indicate that groundnut shell can be used as a low-cost alternative to commercial powdered activated carbon in aqueous solution for dye removal.     

Organoclays for Aquifer Bioremediation: Adsorption of Chlorobenzene on Organoclays and its Degradation by RHODOCOCCUS B528

The adsorption and degradation of chlorobenzene on partially modified organoclays and by the autochthonous microorganism Rhodococcus B528 were studied by means of the batch technique. Organoclays were prepared from Na-montmorillonite (MM) by using dodecyltrimethylammonium (C₁₂) and dioctadecyldimethylammonium (2C₁₈) bromides. The degree of modification was 35 (2C₁₈-35-MM) and 89% (C₁₂-89-MM) of the cation exchange capacity of MM. The adsorption experiments were carried out using headspace GC. The intercalation of chlorobenzene into the interlayers of organo-MM was detected by X-ray diffraction. The adsorption isotherms found were of the S1 type indicating a cooperative effect. Chlorobenzene showed a higher affinity for 2C₁₈-35-MM than C₁₂-89-MM, which could not only be explained by the organic carbon content. The comparison with 2,4-dichlorophenol adsorption has implied that for the studied systems the different adsorption mechanisms are primarily governed by the different molecular properties and not by the type of absorbent. The presence of 2C₁₈-35-MM caused no negative effect on the investigated microorganisms and complete biodegradation of chlorobenzene was achieved without desorption limitation for growth, demonstrating the applicability of partially modified organoclays for bioremediation.     

花生壳活性炭吸附溶液中的铀

以农林废弃物花生壳为原料、氢氧化钾为活化剂、微波为热源,制备了花生壳活性炭。以花生壳活性炭为吸附剂吸附溶液中的U(VI),考察了初始U(VI)质量浓度、活性炭加入量、溶液pH、吸附时间对U(VI)去除效果的影响。实验结果表明,在溶液中初始U(VI)质量浓度为30mg/L、活性炭加入量为0.5g/L、溶液pH为5.5、吸附时间为150min的较佳条件下,活性炭对U(VI)的吸附量为56.37mg/g,U(VI)去除率为93.94％。     

活性炭填料塔FeSO4液相催化氧化脱硫

对活性炭及瓷拉西环两种填料用自来水进行脱硫对比实验,证明无论是等宏观表面积还是等填料层高度,活性炭填料的脱硫率均高于瓷拉西环。在活性炭填料塔中进行了FeSO4液相催化氧化脱硫实验,考察了液气比、空塔气速、吸收温度及SO2进口浓度对脱硫率的影响。综合实验结果表明,连续运行500min时,脱硫率及吸收液pH分别稳定在93．5％以上及4．6左右,且两者的变化趋势基本一致。