Phenol removal from aqueous solution by adsorption with resin technology

Identifier:  imarina:9379183

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/imarina9379183

Authors:  Tejero MdÀ; Das S; Gomez V; Garcia-Valls R

Abstract:
Phenolic compounds are chemicals that appear quite frequently across a broad spectrum of industrial process streams and wastewaters such as those from the pharmaceutical, petrochemical and refineries, plastics, wood, paint, and paper industries. As phenol is both toxic and harmful to the environment, the discharge and disposal of wastewater containing phenol is strictly regulated across the world, leading to the universal need of treating phenolic wastewaters for their discharge and reuse. The aim of this paper was the study of phenol removal by adsorption with polymer resin DOWEX OPTIPORE™ L493 Adsorbent, focusing on the typical stumbling blocks of adsorption technologies: removal efficiency, adsorption capacity, and resin recovery. The potential of this resin for phenol removal was evaluated under different conditions at laboratory scale in packed-bed glass columns. Findings show that phenol removal was highly efficient, reaching values of 99.9% removal in single/solute studies and at least 95% in natural samples with high concentrations of additional total organic carbon. Equilibrium studies were carried out in order to build isotherm curves at 30°C and 60°C. The adsorption isotherm parameters were determined for various isotherm models through linear and nonlinear regression. Regeneration through temperature desorption has been tested on this resin, showing that quantitative desorption of phenol is possible at moderate temperature and pressure (100°C, 1 bar). In conclusion, the results have identified DOWEX OPTIPORE™ L493 as an appropriate adsorbent for phenol, which shows great potential as an alternative to less environmentally friendly materials.