Adsorption Kinetics of Phenols by Carbonaceous Materials

Wastewater containing phenol and other phenolic compounds are commonly generated from many chemical operations such as polymeric resin production, oil refining, pesticides, pulp and paper manufacturing (B. Koumanova et al). Wastewater that contains phenol has significant effects on the environment. Phenol can be toxic or lethal to fish even at low concentration (5-25 mg/l) depending on the temperature. The contaminated fish may be consumed by human accidently. Furthermore, phenol can imparts objectionable tastes to drinking water, especially chlorinated water, even at very low concentrations. Beside from that, phenols also known as an inhibitor of biological reactions that will further affect efficiency of wastewater treatment plant (Daihabde et al.)