Adsorption and desorption studies in the aqueous phase for the toluene/activated carbon system

Journal Article · Tue Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1994 · Environmental Progress; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/ep.670130113· OSTI ID:7034601

Chatzopoulos, D; Varma, A; Irvine, R L ^[1]

---

1. Univ. of Notre Dame, IN (United States)

The activated carbon adsorption and desorption of toluene in single-component aqueous solutions were investigated. Adsorption equilibrium and batch rate studies were conducted to measure the capacity of Filtasorb-300 (F-300) for toluene and to determine the effects of the initial toluene concentration, the F-300 particle size, and the hydrodynamic conditions in the liquid phase on the rate of toluene adsorption on F-300. The results of the adsorption rate experiments were successfully fitted with the homogeneous surface diffusion (HSD) model and a surface diffusion coefficient which varies exponentially with surface coverage. The model also accounted for the dependence of the external toluene mass transfer coefficient on the hydrodynamic conditions in the liquid phase. The reversibility of toluene adsorption on F-300 was addressed in desorption equilibrium experiments which indicated that only about five percent of the toluene molecules adsorb irreversibly on the surface of F-300. Batch desorption rate studies were conducted for different initial toluene surface concentrations, F-300 particle sizes, and liquid/solid ratios. Use of the previously determined toluene transport parameters in the HSD model allowed for successful prediction of the experimental desorption rates. 12 refs., 3 figs., 1 tab.

• OSTI ID: 7034601
• Journal Information: Environmental Progress; (United States), Journal Name: Environmental Progress; (United States) Vol. 13:1; ISSN 0278-4491; ISSN ENVPDI
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400201* -- Chemical & Physicochemical Properties
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540220 -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
ACTIVATED CARBON
ADSORBENTS
ADSORPTION
ALKYLATED AROMATICS
AROMATICS
CARBON
DESORPTION
ELEMENTS
GROUND WATER
HYDROCARBONS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
NONMETALS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
REMEDIAL ACTION
SORPTION
SORPTIVE PROPERTIES
SURFACE PROPERTIES
TOLUENE
WATER