Modelling competitive BTEX compounds removal from industrial wastewater in packed-bed columns using polystyrenic resin

Abstract

Abstract The competitive simultaneous removal of petrochemical hydrocarbons including benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and isomers of xylene (BTEX) from an aqueous solution by polystyrenic resin (PAD 910) was investigated at dynamic conditions in a packed bed column. The column was operated under conditions of bed length (Z = 30–90 cm), flow rate (Q = 18.5–53.5 cm/min), bed diameter (D = 2.5–5 cm) and initial concentration of (C0 = 5–14.5 mg/l) to investigate the adsorption characteristics of BTEX at an influent pH of 6.85. There was evidence of improved column performance with increasing operating height and decreased flow rate. Breakthrough curves of fixed-bed adsorption process were developed by the constant-pattern approach using a constant driving force model in the liquid phase. A fairly good fit to the experimental data was obtained using the constant-pattern approach and a Langmuir isotherm model obtained from previous work. In addition, a prediction of volumetric mass transfer coefficient correlation in the liquid phase was suggested. Desorption from polystyrenic resin adsorbed with BTEX was investigated by using two different organic solvents as desorbates.