Bioremediation of hazardous pollutants i.e. phenol from water and waste water using poplar tree wood activated carbon.

Abstract

Adsorption process has been accomplished as one of the most efficient, inexpensive and best water treatment technologies. Various lignocellulosic materials i.e. agricultural wastes, find their references as activated carbon resources. The process being eco-friendly in nature draws the attention of environmentalist all across the scientific world. The present study highlights the use of Poplar tree wood activated carbon in combating the issue of water pollution caused due to presence of hazardous pollutant like Phenol. The geographical conditions promote cultivation of Poplar trees in the northern states of India. Activated carbon prepared from the poplar tree act as potential low cost adsorbent for the removal of Phenol from water. Promising results have been obtained in adsorptive removal of phenol using poplar tree wood activated carbon. The equilibrium time was found to be 60 to 80 min for 500 ppm, 1000 ppm and 3000 ppm phenol solution. Among the kinetic models applied, pseudo-second order model fitted well. The optimum pH is found to be 5 whereas the optimum temperature for adsorption is 250°C. Adsorption seems to have direct relation to the adsorbent dose. The experimental data best fits in Langmuir and Freundlich’s isotherms equations. The adsorption capacity of the Phosphoric acid activated poplar carbon is 662 mg/g.