Adsorption of toluene from the mixed water−toluene system on medicinal activated carbon

An experimental investigation of adsorption of toluene from the aqueous phase on medicinal activated carbon revealed that the process runs by the mechanism of preactivated adsorption. Kinetics of the initial stages of adsorption can be adequately represented by the empirical Elovich adsorption model. An insufficient amount of the adsorbent can cause an unexpected jump in the toluene equilibrium concentration in water caused by transferring this substance from the toluene phase into water through the process of additional adsorption on the coal surface. Adsorption constants and “imaginary” adsorption values have been determined for a series of toluene contents.