Adsorption Kinetics of Chloroform from Aqueous Solutions onto Activated Lignite

The lignite coal researched by this study was subjected to a two‐stage activation process performed in the scope of obtaining active carbon from domestic resources. “Activation” and “carbonization” stages were used in the experiments. The modified lignite was produced by impregnating lignite with KOH and washing the activation product with 15% HCl solution after thermal treatment. Increasing KOH dosage also increased the removal efficiency. The variables investigated in adsorption experiments were contact time, initial concentration, pH, and sorbent dosage. Adsorption kinetics was fitted by using the pseudo‐first‐order equation, pseudo‐second‐order equation, and intra‐particle diffusion. Isotherm modeling was carried out using Langmuir, Freundlich, and Dubinin–Radushkevich equations. Selected target compound in this work is common environmental pollutant in waters. A commonly known effect of chloroform is its carcinogenic effect. Therefore, removal of these compounds from water is considerably important. Chloroform removal of 97% for was achieved by the use of Konya region activated lignite.     

Photooxidation Degradation of Reactive Brilliant Red K‐2BP in Aqueous Solution by Ultraviolet Radiation/Sodium Hypochlorite

Photooxidation degradation of Reactive Brilliant Red K‐2BP (K‐2BP) aqueous solution by ultraviolet irradiation/sodium hypochlorite (UV/NaClO) was investigated. The effects of NaClO dosage, pH, temperature and initial dye concentrations were studied. A possible degradation pathway of K‐2BP was investigated. Acidic or neutral conditions were beneficial to the decolorization of K‐2BP aqueous solution. However, alkaline conditions facilitated chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal. Increasing the solution temperature from 20 to 50°C increased the removal of color and COD. However, at 60°C, the final percentage color and COD removal decreased by approximately 17 and 10%, respectively. Based on the products indentified and theoretical analysis, N=N cleavage and C‐N cleavage were possible initial steps in the degradation of K‐2BP. From the results of this work, we conclude that treatment of UV/NaClO is an efficient method to degrade K‐2BP in aqueous solution.     

Development of Polymeric and Polymer‐Based Hybrid Adsorbents for Chromium Removal from Aqueous Solution

Ferric oxide‐loaded hybrid sorbents are environmentally benign and exhibit sorption behaviors for chromium removal from waters. In the current study, glycidyl methacrylate‐based polymer (GMD) and nanosized ferric oxide loaded glycidyl methacrylate‐based polymer (GMDFe) were prepared and assayed to examine the effect of ferric oxide loading on chromium sorption from aqueous solution for the first time from the equilibrium and kinetic points of view. The experimental equilibrium data, suitably fitted by the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms, have shown that ferric oxide loaded hybrid sorbent exhibits higher adsorption capacity than glycidyl methacrylate‐based polymer (GMD). The Langmuir isotherm model was found to be the most suitable one for the Cr(VI) adsorption. The maximum adsorption capacities of GMD and GMDFe sorbents were determined at pH 4 as 109.54 and 157.52 mg/g, respectively. A series of column experiments was carried out to determine the breakthrough curves. The column was regenerated by eluting Cr(VI) using NaOH (10% w/v) solution after adsorption studies.     

Electro‐Fenton Treatment of Photographic Processing Wastewater

In this work, the treatment of photographic processing wastewaters (PPW) by electro‐Fenton process has been investigated. The Influence of operating conditions on kinetics and efficiency of electro‐Fenton process has been evaluated using carbon felt cathode and platinium (Pt) or boron‐doped diamond (BDD) anode. The results of electro‐Fenton treatment of PPW have shown that nearly complete removal of total phenols was obtained for all combinations with pseudo‐first rate constants of 0.07, 0.012, and 0.018/min for carbon felt/Pt, carbon felt/BDD and Pt/BDD cathode/anode combinations, respectively. The combination of carbon felt cathode with BDD anode achieved the highest total organic carbon (TOC) removal of 90%, while it did not exeed 40% for carbon felt/Pt combination. Increasing current intensity and Fe²⁺ dose enhances the efficiency of electro‐Fenton process. However, increasing pH decreases TOC removal during the treatment of PPW by electro‐Fenton process. The highest efficiency of electro‐Fenton process using BDD anode can be explained by the contribution of direct and indirect oxidation routes in the degradation mechanism of organics including (i) oxidation via hydroxyl radicals generated from the catalytic decomposition of H₂O₂ and from water discharge on BDD anode, (ii) direct oxidation of certain organic compounds on BDD anode, and (iii) mediated oxidation with inorganic oxidants electrogenerated from anodic oxidation of supporting salts.     

Application of Agro‐Based Biomasses for Zinc Removal from Wastewater – A Review

Zinc remediation of aqueous streams is of special concern due to its highly toxic and persistent nature. Conventional treatment technologies for the removal of zinc are not economical and further generate huge quantity of toxic chemical sludge. Biosorption is emerging as a potential alternative to the existing conventional technologies for the removal of metal ions from aqueous solutions. Mechanisms involved in the biosorption process include chemisorption, complexation, adsorption–complexation on surface and pores, ion exchange, microprecipitation, heavy metal hydroxide condensation onto the bio surface, and surface adsorption. Biosorption largely depends on parameters such as pH, the initial metal ion concentration, biomass concentration, presence of various competitive metal ions in solution, and to a limited extent on temperature. Biosorption using biomass such as agricultural wastes, industrial residues, municipal solid waste, biosolids, food processing waste, aquatic plants, animal wastes, etc., is regarded as a cost‐effective technique for the treatment of high volume and low concentration complex wastewaters containing zinc metal. Very few reviews are available where readers can get an overview of the sorption capacities of agro based biomasses used for zinc remediation together with the traditional remediation methods. The purpose of this review article is to provide the scattered available information on various aspects of utilization of the agro based biomasses for zinc metal ions removal. An extensive table summarizes the sorption capacities of various adsorbents. These biosorbents can be modified using various methods for better efficiency and multiple reuses to enhance their applicability at industrial scale. We have incorporated most of the valuable available literature on zinc removal from waste water using agro based biomasses in this review.     

Metal Impregnated Silica‐Carbon Materials from Rice Husk: A Versatile Sorbent for Toxic Organics and Inorganics in Water and Air

Carbon bearing materials derived from rice husk (RH) have long been recognized as sorbents for diverse chemicals – both organic and inorganic. This work presents an overview of studies demonstrating a single step process of carbonization of chemically pretreated RH to produce metal impregnated silica‐carbon char designated as silicarbon materials that can be utilized in sorbing out water‐borne organic and inorganic hazardous substances (such as phenol, hexavalent chromium, fluoride, and arsenic) and air‐borne volatile organic chemicals (such as acetone, chloroform, benzene, and pyridine). The metal‐impregnated silicarbon solids derived from RH appear to constitute renewable, low‐cost, user‐friendly, and efficient materials for control systems for indoor air contamination and for industrial as well as non‐industrial hazardous aqueous pollution.     

Removal of Cr(VI) by Zero‐valent,Iron‐encapsulated Alginate Beads

Zero‐valent, iron‐encapsulated alginate beads were synthesized and were applied for the removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions. The effects of several important parameters including solution pH, contact time, initial concentration and reaction temperature on Cr(VI) removal levels were investigated in batch studies. An initial solution pH of 1.0 was seen to be most favorable for Cr(VI) removal. The removal process was quick and almost 80% of the removal was attained within 60 min. The kinetic data followed the second‐order equation well. The Cr(VI) removal was almost reaction temperature‐independent and decreased with an increase in Cr(VI) initial concentration. The removal of Cr(VI) by iron‐encapsulated alginate beads was found to be significantly higher than that of non‐encapsulated alginate beads.     

Adsorption of Cadmium Ions from Aqueous Solution Using Granular Activated Carbon and Activated Clay

The present study was aimed at removing cadmium ions from aqueous solution through batch studies using adsorbents, such as, granular activated carbon (GAC) and activated clay (A‐clay). GAC was of commercial grade where as the A‐clay was prepared by acid treatment of clay with 1 mol/L of H₂SO₄. Bulk densities of A‐clay and GAC were 1132 and 599 kg/m³, respectively. The surface areas were 358 m²/g for GAC and 90 m²/g for A‐clay. The adsorption studies were carried out to optimize the process parameters, such as, pH, adsorbent dosage, and contact time. The results obtained were analyzed for kinetics and adsorption isotherm studies. The pH value was optimized at pH 6 giving maximum Cd removal of 84 and 75.2% with GAC and A‐clay, respectively. The adsorbent dosage was optimized and was found to be 5 g/L for GAC and 10 g/L for A‐clay. Batch adsorption studies were carried out with initial adsorbate (Cd) concentration of 100 mg/L and adsorbent dosage of 10 g/L at pH 6. The optimum contact time was found to be 5 h for both the adsorbents. Kinetic studies showed Cd removal a pseudo second order process. The isotherm studies revealed Langmuir isotherm to better fit the data than Freundlich isotherm.     

Adsorption–Reduction Behavior of Co(NH3) on Activated Carbon

A novel method has been put forward to retrofit the wet ammonia desulfurization process to realize the combined removal of sulfur dioxide and nitric oxide by introducing soluble cobalt(II) salt into aqueous ammonia solution. The active constituent of scrubbing NO from the flue gases is the produced by ammonia coordinating with Co²⁺. The regeneration of can be realized under the catalysis of activated carbon so as to sustain a high NO removal efficiency for a long time. In this paper, the adsorption–reduction behavior of on activated carbon has been researched using scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. A conclusion can be drawn from the results that cobalt ions in the aqueous solution are adsorbed by activated carbon and most of them are reduced to Co²⁺ ions, and some of the Co²⁺ ions are further reduced into metallic cobalt. The results also demonstrate that the functional groups on the surface of carbon take part in this redox reaction. The C? H groups on the carbon surface are oxidized into C? OH, and then some of the hydroxyl groups are further oxidized into carbonyl or carboxyl groups.     

Removal of the Alphazurine FG Dye from Simulated Solution by Electrocoagulation

The removal of Alphazurine FG (AF) dye from water by an electrocoagulation process has been studied. The effect of some operational parameters, such as anode material, current density, initial dye concentration, pH of solution, conductivity, and inter‐electrode distance, on the removal efficiency was investigated. Iron and aluminum were used as anodes in the electrocoagulation cell. It was found that the efficiency of the iron anode was better than that of the aluminum anode for AF removal. The factors that affected the removal efficiency were the current density and the initial dye concentration. The removal efficiency increased from about 35% at 25 A m^–2 to about 97% at 100 A m^–2, during 4 min of electrocoagulation. The results exhibited pseudo‐first‐order kinetics for AF removal by electrocoagulation. In addition, a mathematical model was successfully established for predicting the removal efficiency. A comparison between the model results and experimental data gave a high correlation coefficient (R² = 0.9925), which indicates that the model is able to predict the removal efficiency of AF.     

Removal of EDTA from Aqueous Solutions Using Activated Carbon Prepared from Rubber Wood Sawdust: Kinetic and Equilibrium Modeling

Adsorptive removal of EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) from aqueous solution was studied using steam pyrolyzed activated carbon. Rubber wood sawdust, obtained from a local timber facility at Kodangavila, Trivandrum, Kerala, India was used as the precursor for the production of the activated carbon. Batch adsorption experiments were employed to monitor and optimize the removal process. The experimental parameters, i. e., solution pH, agitation time, initial EDTA concentration and adsorbent dosage, affecting the adsorption of EDTA onto sawdust activated carbon (SDAC) were optimized. The inner core mechanism for the interaction between EDTA and SDAC, which resulted in the adsorption process, was also discussed. The change in amount of EDTA adsorbed onto SDAC and CAC (commercial activated carbon) was compared over a wide range of pH (2.0–8.0). The maximum removal of EDTA took place in the pH range of 4.0–6.0 for SDAC and 5.0–5.5 for CAC, which demonstrates the effectiveness of the former adsorbent. Kinetic as well as equilibrium studies were performed to determine the rate constant and adsorption capacity, respectively. The adsorption kinetic data was fitted with pseudo‐first‐order kinetics and the equilibrium data was shown to follow the Langmuir isotherm model. These observations explain the formation of a monolayer of EDTA on the surface of SDAC as confirmed by the slow approach to equilibrium after 4 h of contact time. The adsorption capacity of SDAC for the removal of EDTA was 0.526 mmol/g and is seen to be greater than that of CAC and other reported adsorbents (0.193–0.439 mmol/g). Finally, it is clear that the production of steam pyrolyzed activated carbon in the presence of K₂CO₃ greatly enhanced EDTA removal and resulted in a product with possible commercial value for wastewater treatment strategies.     

Removal of Carbamazepine,Naproxen, and Trimethoprim from Water by Amberlite XAD‐7: A Kinetic Study

The adsorption kinetics of carbamazepine, naproxen, and trimethoprim in aqueous solution by Amberlite? XAD‐7 has been studied. The influence of adsorbent dose (1–3 g/L), stirring rate (80–240 rpm), pH (2–9), temperature (20–60°C), and initial concentration (25–75 ppm) on the adsorption kinetics has been analyzed. The removal efficiency in the first 2 h reaches 85% for carbamazepine, 60% for naproxen, and 70% for trimethoprim. pH appears to be the most important factor conditioning the removal of these latter solutes, whereas carbamazepine adsorption seems to be independent of the pH of the adsorptive solution. Initial concentration and operation temperature moderately influence the adsorption process. Finally, stirring rate scarcely affects the process. The experimental data have been fitted to four kinetic models, namely pseudo‐first and pseudo‐second order, intra‐particle diffusion and Bangham's. The model providing the best fit is the pseudo‐second order one. Again, pH is the factor that affects the adsorption rate in a more remarkable manner although other parameters such as temperature and stirring rate also contribute to accelerate the removal of the solutes. Under the optimal operation conditions, Amberlite? XAD‐7 exhibits a promising ability for the removal of the pharmaceuticals under study.     

Separation and Preconcentration of Boron with a Glucamine Modified Novel Magnetic Sorbent

A novel, simple method based on magnetic separation was developed for analytical purposes. In this method, N‐methyl‐D‐glucamine (NMDG) modified magnetic microparticles that were synthesized by using the sol‐gel method were used for the selective extraction and preconcentration of boron from aqueous solutions. This method combines the simplicity and selectivity of solvent extraction with the easy separation of magnetic microparticles from a solution with a magnet without any preliminary filtration step. The structure of the prepared γ‐Fe₂O₃‐SiO₂‐NMDG (magnetic sorbent) composites were characterized by using X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The influence of different parameters on the sorbent capacity, such as the sorption/desorption of boron, magnetic sorbent dosage, pH, equilibrium time, type, and amount of stripping solution, were evaluated by using the magnetic sorbent. Any equilibrium pH greater than 6 can be used for sorption. Desorption from the sorbent was carried out by using 1.0 M HCl. The sorption and desorption efficiency of the γ‐Fe₂O₃‐SiO₂‐NMDG was found as 92.5 ± 0.5% and 99.8 ± 6%, respectively.     

Removal of Organic Pollutants from Wastewater Using Wood Fly Ash as a Low‐Cost Sorbent

In this study, untreated and treated wood fly ash (WA) was used as a low‐cost sorbent in batch sorption tests to investigate the removal of organic pollutants from a real wastewater generated by cleaning/washing of machinery in a wood‐laminate floor industry in Sweden. The experiments focused on the effect of the WA dosage and particle size on the removal efficiency for organic compounds. With a WA dosage of 160 g L^?1 and a particle size less than 1 mm, the reductions of chemical oxygen demand (COD), biologic oxygen demand, and total organic carbon were 37 ± 0.4, 24 ± 0.4, and 30 ± 0.3%, respectively. Pre‐treatment of WA with hot water improved the COD removal efficiency by absorption from 37 ± 0.4 to 42 ± 1.6% when the same dosage (160 g L^?1) was applied. Sorption isotherm and sorption kinetics for COD using untreated WA can be explained by Freundlich isotherm and pseudo‐second‐order kinetic models. Intra‐particle diffusion model indicates that pore diffusion is not the rate‐limiting step for COD removal. Based on the experimental data, WA could be used as an alternative low‐cost sorption media/filter for removal of organic compounds from real industrial wastewater.     

Efficiency of Moso Bamboo Charcoal and Activated Carbon for Adsorbing Radioactive Iodine

Preventing radioactive pollution is a troublesome problem but an urgent concern worldwide because radioactive substances cause serious health‐related hazards to human being. The adsorption method has been used for many years to concentrate and remove radioactive pollutants; selecting an adequate adsorbent is the key to the success of an adsorption‐based pollution abatement system. In Taiwan, all nuclear power plants use activated carbon as the adsorbent to treat radiation‐contaminated air emission. The activated carbon is entirely imported; its price and manufacturing technology are entirely controlled by international companies. Taiwan is rich in bamboo, which is one of the raw materials for high‐quality activated carbon. Thus, a less costly activated carbon with the same or even better adsorptive capability as the imported adsorbent can be made from bamboo. The objective of this research is to confirm the adsorptive characteristics and efficiency of the activated carbon made of Taiwan native bamboo for removing ¹³¹I gas from air in the laboratory. The study was conducted using new activated carbon module assembled for treating ¹³¹I‐contaminated air. The laboratory results reveal that the ¹³¹I removal efficiency for a single‐pass module is as high as 70%, and the overall efficiency is 100% for four single‐pass modules operated in series. The bamboo charcoal and bamboo activated carbon have suitable functional groups for adsorbing ¹³¹I and they have greater adsorption capacities than commercial activated carbons. Main mechanism is for trapping of radioiodine on impregnated charcoal, as a result of surface oxidation. When volatile radioiodine is trapped by potassium iodide‐impregnated bamboo charcoal, the iodo‐compound is first adsorbed on the charcoal surface, and then migrates to iodide ion sites where isotope exchange occurs.     

Photocatalytic Degradation of Dye C.I. Direct Blue 78 Using TiO2 Nanoparticles Immobilized on Recycled Wool‐Based Nonwoven Material

This paper discusses the possibility of immobilization of TiO₂ nanoparticles onto recycled wool‐based nonwoven material, which can be utilized for removal of dyes from wastewater. The photocatalytic activity of TiO₂ nanoparticles deposited on the nonwoven material was evaluated in the aqueous solution of direct dye C.I. Direct Blue 78 under the UV illumination. Nonwoven material modified with TiO₂ nanoparticles provides complete removal of dye from the solution already after 4–6 h of UV illumination. However, photodegradation of the dye adsorbed on the nonwoven material was obtained within 24 h of UV illumination. The rate of dye adsorption and photodegradation depends on the amount of deposited TiO₂ nanoparticles. The increase of initial dye concentration induced decrease in photocatalytic efficiency of immobilized TiO₂ nanoparticles. The highest photodegradation rate was achieved in acidic conditions. Elevated temperatures positively affected the removal of dye from solution. Photocatalytic activity of TiO₂ nanoparticles deposited on nonwoven material was preserved after three photodegradation cycles.     

Rapid Analysis of 1,4‐Dioxane in Groundwater by Frozen Micro‐Extraction with Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry

An innovative micro‐extraction of aqueous samples coupled with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry in selected ion‐monitoring mode (GC/MS‐SIM) was developed to selectively analyze for 1,4‐dioxane with low part‐per‐billion detection sensitivity. Recoveries of 1,4‐dioxane ranged from 93% to 117% for both spiked laboratory reagent water and natural groundwater matrices, the later having elevated organic carbon content (8.34 ± 0.31 mg/L as total organic carbon). We observed that freezing the aqueous sample along with the extraction solvent enhanced the extraction efficiency, minimized physical interferences, and improved sensitivity resulting in a limit of detection for 1,4‐dioxane to approximately 1.6 μg/L. This method substantially reduces the labor, time, reagents and cost, and uses instruments that are commonly found in analytical laboratories. This method requires a relatively small sample volume (200 μL), and can be considered a green analytical method as it minimizes the use of toxic solvents and the associated laboratory wastes.     

Hydrogenolysis of Glycerol to 1,2‐Propanediol over Ru–Cu Bimetals Supported on Different Supports

Glycerol is a low‐cost and renewable resource, and its utilization is of great interest for chemical industry and sustainable development. In this work, a series of Ru–Cu bimetallic catalysts were prepared using different supports in an attempt to develop highly efficient catalysts. Hydrogenolysis of aqueous solution of glycerol was performed with the supported Ru–Cu catalysts. The bimetallic catalysts were very efficient for catalyzing the hydrogenolysis of glycerol compared with the corresponding monometallic catalysts. One hundred percent of glycerol conversion and 78.5% of 1,2‐propanediol yield could be achieved at 180°C and 8 MPa.     

Treatment of Domestic Sewage in an Anaerobic–Aerobic Fixed‐bed Reactor with Recirculation of the Liquid Phase

This study reports the performance of a combined anaerobic–aerobic packed‐bed reactor that can be used to treat domestic sewage. Initially, a bench‐scale reactor was operated in three experimental phases. In the first phase, the anaerobic reactor was operated with an average organic matter removal efficiency of 77% for a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 10 h. In the second phase, the reactor was operated with an anaerobic stage followed by an aerobic zone, resulting in a mean value of 91% efficiency. In the third and final phase, the anaerobic–aerobic reactor was operated with recirculation of the effluent of the reactor through the anaerobic zone. The system yielded mean total nitrogen removal percentages of 65 and 75% for recycle ratios (r) of 0.5 and 1.5, respectively, and the chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiencies were higher than 90%. When the pilot‐scale reactor was operated with an HRT of 12 h and r values of 1.5 and 3.0, its performance was similar to that observed in the bench‐scale unit (92% COD removal for r = 3.0). However, the nitrogen removal was lower (55% N removal for r = 3.0) due to problems with the hydrodynamics in the aerobic zone. The anaerobic–aerobic fixed‐bed reactor with recirculation of the liquid phase allows for concomitant carbon and nitrogen removal without adding an exogenous source of electron donors and without requiring any additional alkalinity supplementation.