Adsorption of Phenol from Water on Natural Minerals

Phenol and its derivatives (chlorophenol, nitrophenol, methylphenol, cresol etc.) belong to highly toxic contaminants, and their occurrence in industrial and municipal sewage as well as in groundwater carries a high threat to the environment and human health. Elimination of such contaminants is one of the major challenges in solving the global environmental problems. Implementation of pro-ecological methods of water treatment is associated with the use of natural, cheap and unprocessed materials, with the possibility of their repeated use. The article presents the results of the studies on the use of powdery adsorbents for the removal of phenol from aqueous solutions. The following natural minerals were used: attapulgite – Abso'net Superior Special (ASS) and alganite – Abso'net Multisorb (AM). Tests were performed under non-flowing conditions, in series, depending on the type and dose of adsorbents. Tests were conducted on a model solution of phenol with the initial concentration of C₀ = 20 mg /dm³, at the temp. of 20° C. Alganite mineral (AM) proved to be effective in adsorption of phenol. Maximum adsorption capacity P = 0.21 g/g, was obtained for a dose 10 mg/dm³. Almost complete removal of phenol (99.9%) was obtained for a dose of 500 mg/dm³. For natural attapulgite – Abso'net Superior Special (ASS) the maximum adsorption capacity (at a dose 5 mg/dm³) amounted to P = 0.15 g/g. The efficiency of phenol removal at the level 99% was obtained at a dose of 1000 mg/dm³).