Adsorption of toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes by activated carbon-impact of molecular oxygen

Abstract

The effect of the presence of molecular oxygen on the adsorption of toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes in distilled Milli-Q water and in surface water supplemented with background organic matter is evaluated using activated carbon from rice husk. Experiments are conducted under conditions where molecular oxygen is present (oxic adsorption), and where oxygen is absent (anoxic adsorption) from the test environment. Significant increase in the adsorptive capacity had been observed under oxic condition compared to anoxic condition. Molecular oxygen induces polymerization of these compounds on the carbon surface, which resulted in a significant increase in the adsorptive capacity of activated carbon.

Keywords:

• Oxic and anoxic adsorption
• Toluene
• Ethylbenzene
• Xylenes
• Background organic matter

Acknowledgments

The authors extend their appreciation to the Deanship of Scientific Research at the King Saud University for funding the work through the research group project (Project No. RGP-VPP-184).