Isotherms Study of Equilibrium Adsorption of a Quaternary System unto Activated Carbon Derived From Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch

Equilibrium adsorption of four water pollutants (Phenol, Butanol, Butan-2-ol and 2 Methylbutan-2-ol) using activated carbon derived from oil-palm empty fruit bunch was studied. To assess the use of activated carbon to remove the pollutants from aqueous solution, the effect of pollutants initial concentration and adsorbent dose have been evaluated. Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm model were also investigated. From the analysis of the results, it was observed that, there was progressive decrease in the concentrations of the adsorbates, thus corresponding decrease in the quantities of adsorbates per specific weights of the adsorbent. For instant, 0.1g of activated carbon adsorbed 1.08, 0.96, 1.08 and 1.0 concentrations (g/l) of phenol, butanol, butan-2-ol and 2-methylbuatan-2-ol respectively. It was also observed that quantity of adsorbates per specific weight of the adsorbent is higher in butanol (qe = 23.95); followed by 2-methyl butan-2-ol (qe =15.10) compared to others. This follows the same decreasing trends to butan-2-ol and phenol respectively. The regression value obtained for each of the components especially butanol which is 0.904 and 2-methylbutan-2-ol which is 0.916 shows that the Freundlich isotherm is a good fit for adsorption experimental data of butanol and 2-methylbutan-2-ol because of their regression values which is very close to 1unlike phenol and butan-2-ol. The regression coefficient obtained for phenol is 0.904, butan-2-ol is 0.919, butanol is 0.979 and 2-methylbutan-2-ol is 0.974. This shows that Langmuir isotherm is a good fit for adsorption experimental data for phenol, butanol, butan-2-ol and 2-methylbutan-2-ol. It was concluded that activated carbon has a high adsorptive capacity to remove phenol, butanol, butan-2-ol and 2-methyl butan-2-ol from the liquid system