Methylphenols removal from water by low-cost adsorbents

A comparative study on the adsorption of methylphenols on adsorbents prepared from several industrial wastes has been carried out. The results show that extent of adsorption on carbonaceous adsorbent prepared from fertilizer industry waste has been found to be 37.3, 40.5, 65.9, and 88.5 mg/g for 2-methylphenol, 4-methylphenol, 2,4-dimethylphenol, and 2,4,6-trimethylphenol, rspectively. As compared to carbonaceous adsorbent, the other three adsorbents viz. blast furnace sludge, dust, and slag adsorb methylphenols to a much smaller extent. This has been accounted for due to the carbonaceous adsorbent having a larger porosity and consequently higher surface area. The adsorption of phenols on this carbonaceous adsorbent as a function of contact time, concentration, and temperature has been studied by the batch method. The adsorption has been found to be endothermic and data conform to the Langmuir equation. The analysis of data indicates that adsorption is a first-order process and pore diffusion-controlled. The efficiency of the carbonaceous adsorbent was assessed by comparing the results with those on a standard activated charcoal sample. It was found that the carbonaceous adsorbent is about 45% as efficient as standard activated charcoal and can therefore be employed for the removal of methylphenols from wastewaters.