Removal of xenobiotics from effluent discharge by adsorption on zeolite and expanded clay: an alternative to activated carbon?

Xenobiotics such as pesticides and pharmaceuticals are an increasingly large problem in aquatic environments. A fixed-bed adsorption filter, used as tertiary stage of sewage treatment, could be a solution to decrease xenobiotics concentrations in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) effluent. The adsorption efficiency of two mineral adsorbent materials (expanded clay (EC) and zeolite (ZE)), both seen as a possible alternative to activated carbon (AC), was evaluated in batch tests. Experiments involving secondary treated domestic wastewater spiked with a cocktail of ten xenobiotics (eight pharmaceuticals and two pesticides) known to be poorly eliminated in conventional biological process were carried out. Removal efficiencies and partitions coefficients were calculated for two levels of initial xenobiotic concentration, i.e, concentrations lower to 10 μg/L and concentrations ranged from 100 to 1,000 μg/L. While AC was the most efficient adsorbent material, both alternative adsorbent materials showed good adsorption efficiencies for all ten xenobiotics (from 50 to 100 % depending on the xenobiotic/adsorbent material pair). For all the targeted xenobiotics, at lower concentrations, EC presented the best adsorption potential with higher partition coefficients, confirming the results in terms of removal efficiencies. Nevertheless, Zeolite presents virtually the same adsorption potential for both high and low xenobiotics concentrations to be treated. According to this first batch investigation, ZE and EC could be used as alternative absorbent materials to AC in WWTP.     

Selective removal of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) from aqueous solution by triolein-embedded composite adsorbent

A novel composite adsorbent (CA-T) was used for the selective removal of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) from aqueous solution. The adsorbent was composed of the supporting activated carbon and the surrounding triolein-embedded cellulose acetate membrane. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), N2 adsorption isotherms and fluorescence methods were used to characterize the physicochemical properties of CA-T. Triolein was perfectly embedded in the cellulose acetate membrane and deposited on the surface of activated carbon. The adsorbent was stable in water and no triolein leakage was detected during the test periods. Some organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), such as dieldrin, endrin, aldrin, and heptachlor epoxide, were used as model contaminants and removed by CA-T in laboratory batch experiments. The adsorption isotherm followed the Freundlich equation and the kinetic data fitted well to the pseudo-second-order reaction model. Results also indicated that CA-T appeared to be a promising adsorbent with good selectivity and satisfactory removal rate for lipophilic OCPs from aqueous solutions when present in trace amounts. The adsorption rate and removal efficiency for lipophilic OCPs were positively related to their octanol-water partition coefficients (log K(ow)). Lower residual concentrations of OCPs were achieved when compared to granular activated carbon (GAC).     

Selective removal of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) from aqueous solution by triolein-embedded composite adsorbent

A novel composite adsorbent (CA-T) was used for the selective removal of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) from aqueous solution. The adsorbent was composed of the supporting activated carbon and the surrounding triolein-embedded cellulose acetate membrane. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), N₂ adsorption isotherms and fluorescence methods were used to characterize the physicochemical properties of CA-T. Triolein was perfectly embedded in the cellulose acetate membrane and deposited on the surface of activated carbon. The adsorbent was stable in water and no triolein leakage was detected during the test periods. Some organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), such as dieldrin, endrin, aldrin, and heptachlor epoxide, were used as model contaminants and removed by CA-T in laboratory batch experiments. The adsorption isotherm followed the Freundlich equation and the kinetic data fitted well to the pseudo-second-order reaction model. Results also indicated that CA-T appeared to be a promising adsorbent with good selectivity and satisfactory removal rate for lipophilic OCPs from aqueous solutions when present in trace amounts. The adsorption rate and removal efficiency for lipophilic OCPs were positively related to their octanol-water partition coefficients (log K _ow). Lower residual concentrations of OCPs were achieved when compared to granular activated carbon (GAC).     

Removal of acutely hazardous pharmaceuticals from water using multi-template imprinted polymer adsorbent

Molecularly imprinted polymer adsorbent has been prepared to remove a group of recalcitrant and acutely hazardous (p-type) chemicals from water and wastewaters. The polymer adsorbent exhibited twofold higher adsorption capacity than the commercially used polystyrene divinylbenzene resin (XAD) and powdered activated carbon adsorbents. Higher adsorption capacity of the polymer adsorbent was explained on the basis of high specific surface area formed during molecular imprinting process. Freundlich isotherms drawn showed that the adsorption of p-type chemicals onto polymer adsorbent was kinetically faster than the other reference adsorbents. Matrix effect on adsorption of p-type chemicals was minimal, and also polymer adsorbent was amenable to regeneration by washing with water/methanol (3:1, v/v) solution. The polymer adsorbent was unaltered in its adsorption capacity up to 10 cycles of adsorption and desorption, which will be more desirable in cost reduction of treatment compared with single-time-use activated carbon.     

Endocrine disruptors compounds, pharmaceuticals and personal care products in urban wastewater: implications for agricultural reuse and their removal by adsorption process

In the last years, a lot of emerging contaminants, such as, endocrine disruptors compounds (EDCs), pharmaceuticals, and personal care products (PPCPs) have been detected in wastewater. Because of their toxicity and possible adverse effects on the environment and humans, their release from urban wastewater treatment plants (UWWTPs) effluents should be minimized, particularly when a wastewater reuse for crops irrigation is expected. Many processes have been investigated for advanced treatment of UWWTP effluents as well as for emerging contaminant degradation; among these, adsorption process was successfully used to remove EDCs and PPCPs from wastewater. This article shortly reviews EDCs and PPCPs removal from UWWTP effluents by adsorption process using conventional and non-conventional adsorbents. The fate of EDCs and PPCPs in UWWTPs and the implications for agricultural wastewater reuse has been addressed too. In spite of the adsorption process looking to be a valuable alternative to other advanced technologies for the removal of emerging contaminants from wastewater, some gaps still remain to evaluate the actual feasibility at full scale. However, according to a few studies available in scientific literature on the use of both powdered activated carbon and granular activated carbon at full scale, adsorption process by activated carbon is a promising, potentially effective, and economically feasible solution for producing safe wastewater for agricultural reuse.     

Adsorption characteristics of benzene on biosolid adsorbent and commercial activated carbons

This study selected biosolids from a petrochemical waste-water treatment plant as the raw material. The sludge was immersed in 0.5-5 M of zinc chloride (ZnCl2) solutions and pyrolyzed at different temperatures and times. Results indicated that the 1-M ZnCl2-immersed biosolids pyrolyzed at 500 degrees C for 30 min could be reused and were optimal biosolid adsorbents for benzene adsorption. Pore volume distribution analysis indicated that the mesopore contributed more than the macropore and micropore in the biosolid adsorbent. The benzene adsorption capacity of the biosolid adsorbent was 65 and 55% of the G206 (granular-activated carbon) and BPL (coal-based activated carbon; Calgon, Carbon Corp.) activated carbons, respectively. Data from the adsorption and desorption cycles indicated that the benzene adsorption capacity of the biosolid adsorbent was insignificantly reduced compared with the first-run capacity of the adsorbent; therefore, the biosolid adsorbent could be reused as a commercial adsorbent, although its production cost is high.     

Preparation of activated carbon from dried pods of Prosopis cineraria with zinc chloride activation for the removal of phenol

Utilization of agrowaste materials for the production of activated carbon, as an excellent adsorbent with large surface area, is well established industrially, for dephenolation of wastewater. In the present work, dried pods of Prosopis cineraria—a novel and low-cost agrowaste material—were used to prepare activated carbons by zinc chloride activation. Batch adsorption experiments were carried out to study the effects of various physicochemical parameters such as initial phenol concentration, adsorbent dose, initial solution pH, and temperature. Pseudo-first-order second-order and diffusion kinetic models were used to identify the possible mechanisms of such adsorption process. The Langmuir and Freundlich equations were used to analyze the adsorption equilibrium. Maximum removal efficiency of 86 % was obtained with 25 mg?L^?1 of initial phenol concentration. The favorable pH for maximum phenol adsorption was 4.0. Freundlich equation represented the adsorption equilibrium data more ideally than the Langmuir. The maximum adsorption capacity obtained was 78.32 mg?g^?1 at a temperature of 30 °C and 25 mg?L^?1 initial phenol concentration. The adsorption was spontaneous and endothermic. The pseudo-second-order model, an indication of chemisorption mechanism, fitted the experimental data better than the pseudo-first-order Lagergren model. Regeneration of spent activated carbon was carried out using Pseudomonas putida MTCC 2252 as the phenol-degrading microorganism. Maximum regeneration up to 57.5 % was recorded, when loaded phenol concentration was 25 mg?L^?1. The data obtained in this study would be useful in designing and fabricating an efficient treatment plant for phenol-rich effluents.     

麻质活性炭的制备及其对Cu2＋的吸附研究

以废麻为原料,KOH为活化剂制备粉状活性炭,通过静态吸附实验研究了活性炭对Cu2＋的吸附性能,探讨了溶液起始pH值、活性炭投加量、吸附时间、起始Cu2＋质量浓度等对Cu2＋吸附效果的影响。结果表明,溶液pH和活性炭投加量对吸附效果有较大影响,活性炭对Cu2＋的吸附率在60 min内超过50%,初始浓度在10~50 mg/L时,活性炭对Cu2＋的吸附量与起始浓度近似成正比。采用Langmuir、Freundlich吸附等温式对吸附平衡数据进行了拟合,结果表明吸附等温线符合Frenudlich模型。采用傅立叶红外光谱法（FT-IR）分析了活性炭的表面官能团,分析表明活性炭表面酸性官能团可能是吸附Cu2＋的活性中心。     

TiO2/活性炭复合纳米纤维膜对亚甲基蓝的吸附研究

摘要以自制的TiO2/活性炭复合纳米纤维膜作为吸附剂,以亚甲基蓝为目标污染物,研究了亚甲基蓝初始浓度、温度、TiO2/活性炭复合纳米纤维膜投加量、pH等对TiO2/活性炭复合纳米纤维膜吸附去除亚甲基蓝的影响,并研究了TiO2/活性炭复合纳米纤维膜的Zeta电位、接触角、光催化再生性能.结果表明:(1)静态吸附时,随着亚...     

生物基质活性炭对挥发性有机物的吸附

以咖啡渣和柚子皮生物基质为原料用磷酸活化法制成活性炭,探讨了制备条件对活性炭制备的影响,并研究了其对正丁烷的吸附行为。磷酸活化过程中磷酸的用量为生物基质质量的1.5倍为宜,咖啡渣采用超声干燥法,柚子皮采用水热法制备。制备的活性炭对正丁烷均有较好的吸附能力,以柚子皮为原料、磷酸用量为原料质量两倍活化制成的活性炭吸附性能最佳,最大吸附量约为商用活性炭的2倍。吸附剂均能较好地与兰格缪尔曲线相拟合,计算了不同正丁烷覆盖度下的等量吸附热,其变化规律与吸附曲线变化规律相一致。     

Adsorption Characteristics of Benzene on Biosolid Adsorbent and Commercial Activated Carbons

Abstract

This study selected biosolids from a petrochemical waste-water treatment plant as the raw material. The sludge was immersed in 0.5-5 M of zinc chloride (ZnCl₂) solutions and pyrolyzed at different temperatures and times. Results indicated that the 1-M ZnCl₂-immersed biosolids pyrolyzed at 500 °C for 30 min could be reused and were optimal biosolid adsorbents for benzene adsorption. Pore volume distribution analysis indicated that the mesopore contributed more than the macropore and micropore in the biosolid adsorbent. The benzene adsorption capacity of the biosolid adsorbent was 65 and 55% of the G206 (granular-activated carbon) and BPL (coal-based activated carbon; Calgon, Carbon Corp.) activated carbons, respectively. Data from the adsorption and desorption cycles indicated that the benzene adsorption capacity of the biosolid adsorbent was insignificantly reduced compared with the first-run capacity of the adsorbent; therefore, the biosolid adsorbent could be reused as a commercial adsorbent, although its production cost is high.     

ZnCl2法污泥含炭吸附剂对模拟烟气中气态汞的吸附

采用改进的ZnCl2学活化法制备污泥含炭吸附剂,利用EDS以及氮吸附等多种测试手段对所制得的污泥含炭吸附剂进行表征,并利用其处理模拟烟气汞污染物,实验结果表明,污泥含炭吸附剂对Hg^0吸附包括物理吸附作用和化学吸附作用,以物理吸附作用为主;随着Hg^0入口浓度的提高,污泥含炭吸附剂的Hg^0饱和吸附容量增大;随着吸附反应温度的升高污泥含炭吸附对Hg^0的吸附作用减弱;在吸附反应温度125℃,Hg^0入口浓度60．4μg／m3污泥含炭吸附剂和选定的活性炭对Hg^0吸附容量分别为81．2gg／g和53．8μg／g,污泥含炭吸附剂对Hg^0吸附作用好于选定的活性炭。     

Application of Fenton's reagent to regenerate activated carbon saturated with organochloro compounds

In this work Fenton's reagent was used to treat activated carbon saturated with organochloro compounds for the oxidation of the adsorbed contaminants and the regeneration of the carbon adsorbent. Activated carbon containing adsorbed chlorinated model substrates such as chlorobenzene, tetrachloroethylene, chloroform or 1,2-dichloropropane was treated with Fenton's reagent at room temperature resulting in a rapid consumption of the organochloro compounds. Thermogravimetric, infrared, BET surface area and MIMS adsorption studies showed that Fenton's treatment has no significant effect on the physico-chemical properties of the activated carbon. The used carbon adsorbents can be efficiently regenerated and recycled with no loss of its adsorption capacity even after five consecutive treatments with Fenton's reagent.     

活性炭和沸石对氨氮的吸附特性及生物再生

采用活性炭和沸石作为吸附材料,分别考察了这两种吸附材料对水体中氨氮的吸附特性及其生物再生性能。实验结果表明,活性炭和沸石对水体中氨氮的等温吸附符合Freundlich等温式,其拟合度分别为0.9783和0.9303;静态吸附结果表明活性炭和沸石均具有较好的氨氮吸附性能,24 h内沸石对氨氮的吸附能力为1.27 mg/g,高于活性炭的0.53 mg/g;动态吸附中沸石达到吸附饱和的时间为96 h,较活性炭达到吸附饱和的时间长,沸石显示出作为氨氮吸附剂的优越性;活性炭和沸石经过96 h的生物再生后吸附性能获得一定程度的再生,出水中氨氮浓度比未进行生物再生前分别降低17.31 mg/L和8.32 mg/L,且都在表面形成了稳定的生物膜。     

Production of sugarcane bagasse-based activated carbon for formaldehyde gas removal from potted plants exposure chamber

Agricultural wastes such as rice straw, sugar beet, and sugarcane bagasse have become a critical environmental issue due to growing agriculture demand. This study aimed to investigate the valorization possibility of sugarcane bagasse waste for activated carbon preparation. It also aimed to fully characterize the prepared activated carbon (BET surface area) via scanning electron microscope (SEM) and in terms of surface functional groups to give a basic understanding of its structure and to study the adsorption capacity of the sugarcane bagasse-based activated carbon using aqueous methylene blue (MB). The second main objective was to evaluate the performance of sugarcane bagasse-based activated carbon for indoor volatile organic compounds removal using the formaldehyde gas (HCHO) as reference model in two potted plants chambers. The first chamber was labeled the polluted chamber (containing formaldehyde gas without activated carbon) and the second was taken as the treated chamber (containing formaldehyde gas with activated carbon). The results indicated that the sugarcane bagasse-based activated carbon has a moderate BET surface area (557 m²/g) with total mesoporous volume and microporous volume of 0.310 and 0.273 cm³/g, respectively. The prepared activated carbon had remarkable adsorption capacity for MB. Formaldehyde removal rate was then found to be more than 67% in the treated chamber with the sugarcane bagasse-based activated carbon. The plants’ responses for this application as dry weight, chlorophyll contents, and protein concentration were also investigated.

Implications: Preparation of activated carbon from sugarcane bagasse (SCBAC) is a promising approach to produce cheap and efficient adsorbent for gas pollutants removal. It may be also a solution for the agricultural wastes problems in big cities, particularly in Egypt. MB adsorption tests suggest that the SCBAC have high adsorption capacity. Formaldehyde gas removal in the plant chambers indicates that the SCBAC have potential to recover volatile gases. The results confirmed that the activated carbon produced from sugarcane bagasse waste raw materials can be used as an applicable adsorbent for treating a variety of gas pollutants from the indoor environment.     

微波法制备污泥活性炭研究

采用微波加热法,以污水厂剩余污泥为原料,磷酸为污泥活化剂制备污泥活性炭.微波功率、辐照时间和磷酸浓度对污泥活性炭吸附性能具有显著影响,在最佳工艺条件微波功率480 W、辐照时间315 s和磷酸浓度40%条件下制得的活性炭碘值301 mg/g,比表面积168 m2/g,污泥中重金属绝大部分被固化.与传统商品炭相比,污泥炭孔隙结构以中孔为主.利用该活性炭处理城市生活污水处理厂出水,COD去除率可达87%以上,污泥炭的吸附等温线用Langmuir等温吸附模型进行描述.     

Competitive adsorption and desorption of arsenate,vanadate, and molybdate onto the low-cost adsorbent materials alum water treatment sludge and bauxite

When low-cost adsorbents are being used to remove contaminant ions (e.g. arsenate, vanadate, and molybdate) from wastewater, competitive adsorption/desorption are central processes determining their removal efficiency. Competitive adsorption of As, V, and Mo was investigated using equimolar oxyanion concentrations in single, binary, and tertiary combinations in adsorption isotherm and pH envelope studies while desorption of previously adsorbed oxyanions was examined in solutions containing single and binary oxyanion combinations. The low-cost adsorbent materials used were alum water treatment sludge (amorphous hydroxy-Al) and bauxite ore (crystalline Al oxides). Adsorption isotherm and pH envelope studies showed that Mo had only a small effect in decreasing adsorption of As and V but V and As had substantial and similar effects in reducing adsorption of the other. As had a greater effect than V in reducing adsorption of Mo and it was concluded that the affinity of oxyanions for the surfaces of water treatment sludge and bauxite followed the order As > V >> Mo. In 0.3 M NaCl electrolyte, desorption of previously adsorbed oxyanions amounted to 0.3–3.4% for V and As, and 11–20% for Mo. As had approximately four times greater effect than Mo in increasing desorption of V while V had about three times the effect of Mo in increasing desorption of As. Thus, the order of oxyanions in inducing desorption of the other oxyanions (i.e. As on V and As) was the same as that for adsorption selectivity: As > V >> Mo. Water treatment sludge was a more effective adsorbent than bauxite because it had a greater adsorption capacity for all three anions and, in addition, they were held more strongly so desorption in the background electrolyte was proportionately less. It was concluded that at similar molar concentrations, arsenate would tend to reduce adsorption of vanadate as well as displace vanadate already held on adsorbent surfaces while both anions will compete effectively with molybdate. The limiting factor for simultaneous removal of As, V, and Mo from multielement solutions by adsorption will therefore be the removal of Mo.     

Performance Evaluation of Waste Activated Carbon on Atrazine Removal from Contaminated Water

Abstract

In this study, the potential of spent activated carbon from water purifier (Aqua Guard, India) for the removal of atrazine (2 chloro-4 ethylamino-6-isopropylamino-1, 3, 5 triazine) from wastewaters was evaluated. Different grades of spent activated carbon were prepared by various pretreatments. Based on kinetic and equilibrium study results, spent activated carbon with a grain size of 0.3–0.5 mm and washed with distilled water (designated as WAC) was selected for fixed column studies. Batch adsorption equilibrium data followed both Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm. Fixed bed adsorption column with spent activated carbon as adsorbent was used as a polishing unit for the removal of atrazine from the effluent of an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor treating atrazine bearing domestic wastewater. Growth of bacteria on the surface of WAC was observed during column study and bacterial activity enhanced the effectiveness of adsorbent on atrazine removal from wastewater.     

Performance evaluation of waste activated carbon on atrazine removal from contaminated water

In this study, the potential of spent activated carbon from water purifier (Aqua Guard, India) for the removal of atrazine (2 chloro-4 ethylamino-6-isopropylamino-1, 3, 5 triazine) from wastewaters was evaluated. Different grades of spent activated carbon were prepared by various pretreatments. Based on kinetic and equilibrium study results, spent activated carbon with a grain size of 0.3-0.5 mm and washed with distilled water (designated as WAC) was selected for fixed column studies. Batch adsorption equilibrium data followed both Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm. Fixed bed adsorption column with spent activated carbon as adsorbent was used as a polishing unit for the removal of atrazine from the effluent of an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor treating atrazine bearing domestic wastewater. Growth of bacteria on the surface of WAC was observed during column study and bacterial activity enhanced the effectiveness of adsorbent on atrazine removal from wastewater.     

黑曲霉死菌与活性炭对直接耐晒翠蓝FBL的吸附性能

采用批式实验,系统考察了黑曲霉死菌和活性炭的粉剂投加量,染料初始浓度,pH和反应时间对酞菁染料FBL脱色效果的影响;并采用扫描电镜图像,分析吸附剂的结构变化。结果表明,对于FBL染料的吸附处理,黑曲霉死菌粉剂与活性炭粉剂适宜的吸附条件为:酸性至弱碱性pH下,投加量为8 g/L;黑曲霉死菌粉剂比活性炭粉剂的吸附速度快、脱色性能高、抗染料浓度负荷冲击能力强。扫描电镜图像分析显示,黑曲霉死菌粉剂所具有的多层纤维结构为吸附染料分子提供较大的比表面。