Adsorption of micropollutants onto fibrous activated carbon: association of ultrafiltration and fibers

Abstract

The adsorption of polluted solutions is performed by different kinds of activated carbon: grains, powder and fibers (cloth or felt). The adsorption is carried out in a batch reactor. Classic models are applied and kinetic constants are calculated. Results showed that the performance of fiber activated carbon (FAC) is significantly higher than that of granular activated carbon (GAC). Moreover, FAC's adsorption capacities of phenol are greater than GAC's. Therefore the application of FAC adsorbers may lead to smaller adsorption reactors. The breakthrough curves obtained with FAC adsorbers are particularly steep, suggesting a smaller mass transfer resistance than GAC. The adsorption zone in the FAC bed is about 3.4 mm and is not dependent on the flow rate within the range 0.67 - 2.07 m.h−1. The selectivity of the FAC between different size of soluble molecules is shown. Then, an Ultrafiltration (UF) membrane is coupled with FAC to remove successively macromolecules (humic substances) and phenols present together in an aqueous solution. This new and original approach to a water treatment compact process successfully put to use. Industrial developments are put forward.