Abstract

In this theoretical research, we investigated ozonated granular activated carbon (OGAC) as an ammonia adsorbent in aqueous systems. Research objectives were to determine the (1) effectiveness of ozone loading on adsorption capacity of activated carbon in aqueous ammonia solutions, (2) kinetics and adsorption isotherms of ammonia adsorption, and (3) effect of volatile organic compounds on adsorption of ammonia from the aqueous phase. Batch experiments indicated that ozonation for 30 min enhanced the adsorption capacity of granular activated carbon from 0.47 0.065 mg g-1 to 1.02 0.099 mg g-1 due to increased surface oxygen species on activated carbon. These results suggested that activated carbon could be chemically modified to enhance the adsorption of ammonia from aqueous systems. Analysis of the rate data suggested that the adsorption of ammonia on OGAC followed an Elovich model with initial adsorption rate (a) and desorption constants () between 0.146 and 1.06 mg g-1 min-1 and 5.5 and 7.75 g mg-1, respectively (25C to 45C). The effect of temperature (25C to 45C) on adsorption was not found to be significant, suggesting that adsorption on OGAC was non-activated. However, presence of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as p-cresol and acetic acid inhibited adsorption of ammonia on OGAC. Future research is needed to synthesize activated carbon that can absorb ammonia and VOCs simultaneously.

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