Adsorption of n-Alkyl Alcohols by Polyurethane Foam Powder: Kinetics, Isotherms, and Thermodynamics

Abstract

Abstract Adsorption of different n-alkyl alcohols (hexanol, pentanol, butanol, propanol, ethanol and methanol) out of aqueous media by polyurethane foam, an insulation waste powder, (PUF) was investigated using batch system under controlled conditions. Kinetic data followed more closely to the pseudo-first-order model. The adsorption rate and the related parameters, such as the PUF dosage, n-alkyl alcohol initial concentration, pH, temperature, and ionic strength were studied. The saturation equilibrium was also studied as a function of the related parameters (PUF dose, alcohol initial concentration, temperature, pH and ionic strength). The adsorption isotherm was established for the adsorption of different alcohols on PUF. Linearized Langmuir, Freundlich and Frumkin models were applied to estimate the adsorption constants. It was estimated that the adsorption rate is positively affected by increasing PUF dose, adsorbent concentration, acidity and temperature. The adsorption equilibrium was shifted toward higher adsorption capacity by increasing the PUF dose, substrate concentration, temperature and acidity in the order of: n-hexanol > n-pentanol > n-butanol > n-propanol > ethanol > methanol. It was not affected by ionic strength. The adsorption data fit to Freundlich, Langmuir and Frumkin models, but attained a better correlation to models in the order of as Langmuir > Freundlich > Frumkin. In addition to the Freundlich, Langmuir und Frumkin constants the thermodynamic parameters of activation and adsorption were determined.