Adsorption for the removal of phenolic compounds from the effluent of a biologic reactor.

Abstract

The efficiency of an adsorption column packed with granular activated carbon, prepared from sugar-cane bagasse, for the removal of phenol, 2-chlorophenol, 2-nitrophenol and 2,4-dimethylphenol, from the effluent of an UASB reactor was evaluated. Tests were carried out applying hydraulic residence time (TRH) of 0,067 y 0,186 d, obtaining better results with a TRH of 0,186 d. The saturation of the adsorbent bed was reached after 12 h and 20 h of continuous operation respectively, for each applied TRH, after which the presence of toxic compounds was detected in the effluent of the column. With the applied treatment, removal percentages in DQO of 67, 09% and 73,93% respectively was reached, represented this DQO for compound organic different from the toxics of interest, not retained when going the residual water throw the column. The investigation allowed demonstrating the applicability of the process of adsorption for the elimination of toxic organic compounds from a wastewater.

Keywords

• adsorption
• activated carbon
• phenolic compounds
• saturated hydrocarbons