Abstract
Adsorption of ionic liquids (ILs) onto activated carbons (ACs) has been proposed as a thermodynamically and kinetically suitable treatment to remove and/or recover ILs from liquid phase. This work evaluates the potential of AC adsorption in a fixed-bed column to remove ILs from aqueous streams. Different operating conditions were evaluated including AC particle size (0.10mm–0.75mm) and surface liquid velocity (1.4–2.0mh−1). ILs of different nature were used to assess the influence of cation family (imidazolium- and pyridinium-based) and anion structure (modifying the IL polarity) in the adsorption performance. The adsorption of ILs by ACs in the fixed-bed column was described through the breakthrough curves obtained from experimental tests, which were modelled by the Yoon-Nelson equation. Adsorption capacity (qs), length of the mass transfer zone (HMTZ) and fractional bed utilization (FBU) were estimated from the breakthrough curves. The Yoon-Nelson model describes reasonably well the breakthrough curves, providing a valuable tool design for adsorption. Optimum performance was achieved for hydrophobic ILs at AC particle size between (0.10–0.25)mm and a surface liquid velocity of 1.4mh−1. The results of fixed-bed adsorption of ILs were comparable to the obtained with commercial AC for dyes and emergent pollutants.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
