Application of Commercial Powdered Activated Carbon for Adsorption of Carbolic Acid in Aqueous Solution

Adsorption studies for Carbolic Acid (phenol) removal from aqueous solution on commercial powdered activated carbon were carried out. Batch kinetics and isotherm studies were carried out under varying experimental conditions of contact time, initial phenol concentration, adsorbent dose and pH. Adsorption equilibrium was reached within 6 h for phenolic concentrations 100-500 mg L(-1). The adsorption of phenol increases with increasing initial phenol concentration and decreases with increasing the solution pH value. The equilibrium data in aqueous solutions was well represented by the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. Kinetics of adsorption followed a first order rate equation. The studies showed that the palm seed coat carbon can be used as an efficient adsorbent material for the removal of phenolics from water and wastewater.