Sorption Equilibrium and Kinetic Studies of P-Chlorophenol from Aqueous Solution Using Granular Activated Carbon and Studies on Effect of Temperature on Adsorption

Abstract: Adsorption equilibrium, kinetics and thermodynamics of p-chlorophenol (PCP) one of the chlorophenols (CPs) onto bituminous coal based Filtrasorb-400 grade granular activated carbon were studied in aqueous solution in a batch system with respect to temperature. Langmuir isotherm models were applied to experimental equilibrium data of PCP adsorption depending on temperature. Equilibrium data fitted very well to the Langmuir equilibrium models of PCP. Adsorbent monolayer capacity ‘Q° ’ Langmuir constant b and adsorption rate constants k were evaluated at different temperatures. This data was then used to calculate thea energy of activation of adsorption and thermodynamic parameters, namely the free energy of adsorption. G°, enthalpy of adsorption H ° and the entropy of adsorption S°. The obtained results show that the monolayer capacity increases with the increase in temperatures. The adsorption rate constants increased with increase in temperature. The obtained values of thermodynamic parameters shows that adsorption of PCP on activated carbon is an endothermic process. Key words: INTRODUCTION the environment [6]. The presence of CPs has been One of the most alarming phenomena today is reference value 13.0µgl suggested for p-chlorophenol the growing accumulation of hardly biodegradable (PCP) in surface waters and maximum average value