Study of Adsorption and Desorption of Industrial Pollutant Unto Activated Carbon

The main objective of this research is to study the factor that influence adsorption
and desorption of phenol unto activated carbons on types of activated carbon used
(granular and powered activated carbon). Activated carbons are commonly used for
the removal of pollutants from waste effluents. The adsorption onto activated
carbons from water is a complex process, influenced by the activated carbon surface
structure and chemistry, and the adsorbate structure, i.e. charge, polarity, size and
shape. It is therefore necessary to analyse the factors, which influence the adsorption
and desorption onto activated carbons e.g. types ofactivated carbons and adsorbates,
ionic strength, surface charge, pH etc. In the scope of study, this study is very
feasible as the experiments that going to be conducted can be done. This is because
ofthe equipments and materials related to the study are available in the laboratories.
Methodology will be consisting of literature review, laboratory work, analysis of
laboratory result and documentation. Experimental works will include the 24 hrs
adsorption ofactivated carbons in various phenol solution, and 3 days desorption of
activated carbons in 0.5M NaOH. All experimental works had been successfully
conducted. Based on the correlation coefficient, r2, the best fit isotherm for
adsorption is Langmuir isotherm, and the best fit for desorption is Freudlich
isotherm. The types of activated carbon do affect the adsorption and desorption
capacities. Where, powdered activated carbon (PAC) has higher volume of
mesopores than granular activated carbon (GAC), will has higher adsorption
capacities compare to GAC. The experimental results do not tally with the theoretical
result due to the other control factor that influences the adsorption capacities, such as
the polarity, surface charge and size. For desorption, GAC has higher desorption
capacities compare to PAC. This can be explained by the large surface area ofpores
in GAC. It is recommended that a further study on the functional group attraction to
the activated carbon in desorption to be conducted in the future. This in order to
obtain a better results and explanation compare to the one conducted in this study. As
the conclusion, all of the research objectives had been achieved.