(558d) Adsorption of Naphthalene and Pyrene On Commercial Activated Carbons

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous contaminants and are well known for their toxic, carcinogenic, and mutagenic effects[1]. Several industrial applications use streams with PAHs as inputs or solvents, depending on the type and aromatic concentration. Extensive research has been carried out on the adsorption of organic compounds from dilute solutions by activated carbons. In particular, the adsorption of phenol and related compounds is one of the most studied systems in liquid?phase applications of carbon adsorbents, due to their industrial and environmental importance[2]. However, there are few reports in the open literature for the removal of PAHs from a hydrocarbon mixture. In this study, the adsorption of two model PHAxs, naphthalene and pyrene, on different types of commercial activated carbons was evaluated using batch and fixed bed experiments. The equilibrium isotherm parameters obtained from batch and fixed bed experiments were evaluated and compared. A general model that accounts for both internal and external mass transfer resistances was used to predict the breakthrough curves and estimate also kinetic parameters.

[1] Harvey, R.G., Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, 1991.

[2] Ania, C.O., Cabal, B., Pevida, C., Arenillas, A., Parra, J.B., Rubiera, F., Pis, J.J., Water Research, 41, 333?340 (2007).