Adsorptive Removal of Phenol from Contaminated Water and Wastewater by Activated Carbon, Almond, and Walnut Shells Charcoal

The adsorption process is gaining interest as an effective process for advanced water and wastewater treatment. Phenol, as a toxic material in industrial effluents, should be removed because of its environmental and health effects. The present study involves an investigation of the use of three carbonaceous materials-activated carbon laboratory-grade (ACL), almond shell charcoal (ASC), and walnut shell charcoal (WSC)-as adsorbents for the removal of phenol from aqueous solutions. For the first time, the adsorptive removal of phenol using ASC and WSC was investigated. Findings have been compared with (ACL) results. Batch experiments were carried out to obtain adsorption equilibrium isotherms with phenol-spiked synthetic solutions. The effects of adsorbent amounts, pH(0), initial concentration, and contact time on the adsorption of phenol were studied. Maximum removals of phenol from contaminant water with ACL, ASC, and WSC were 99.87, 91.36, and 78.17%, respectively, and from industrial wastewater were 99.71, 85.54, and 65.49%, respectively. Water Environ. Res., 81, 641 (2009).