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Treating MTBE-contaminated water using sewage sludge-derived activated carbon

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Abstract

In this study, sewage sludge-derived activated carbon (SDAC) was synthesized, characterized, and tested for its potential as an adsorbent of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE). The SDAC was produced by activating the sludge with zinc chloride and subsequently subjected to various ranges of pyrolytic temperatures. It was then characterized using SEM/EDX, BET, and TGA. The SEM-EDX analyses showed that impurities like Fe, Al, Mg, Mn, Ca, and Na of the raw sludge were removed by the higher pyrolytic temperature and acid-washing procedures. TGA showed the thermal stability of the produced material. Results of the BET revealed a significant increase in surface area of the sludge from 1.5 m2/g to 385 m2/g after acid washing. The MTBE removal efficiency of 70% was achieved after 60 min with 2 g/L of SDAC at pH 6, and initial MTBE concentration of 1 ppm. The adsorption kinetics of SDAC fitted into pseudo-second-order reactions. This work demonstrated a beneficial use of a bio-waste material (sewage sludge) in water treatment technologies.

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Abbreviations

Ct (mg/l):

Equilibrium concentration of MTBE at time t.

Ce (mg/l):

Equilibrium concentration of MTBE obtained at the end of experiment.

Co (mg/L):

Initial concentration of MTBE, (mg/l).

Dp (Å):

Average pore diameter.

Kf :

Freundlich isotherm constant

KL (L/mg):

Langmuir constant related to the energy of adsorption.

m (g):

mass of the adsorbed sample

qe (mg/g):

Amount of MTBE adsorbed per unit mass of adsorbent at equilibrium.

qt (mg/g):

Amount of MTBE adsorbed at a given time.

qm (mg/g):

Maximum adsorption capacity of MTBE per unit mass of adsorbent.

SB (m2/g):

BET surface area of the adsorbent

Se (m2/g):

External pore surface area

t (min):

Time of running the isotherm experiment

V (mL):

Volume of the solution.

Vm (cm3/g):

Micropores volume

Vt (cm3/g):

Total pore volume

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM) for providing an enabling environment, necessary tools and financial support to carry out this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Geosciences Department, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), P.O. Box 189, Dhahran, 31261, Saudi Arabia

    Musiliu A. Liadi, Bassam Tawabini, Tajudeen A. Oyehan, Abdulaziz Shaibani & Mohammed Makkawi

  2. Chemical Engineering Department, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan

    Reyad Shawabkeh

  3. Chemical Engineering Department, Mutah University, Karak, Jordan

    Nabil Jarrah

Authors
  1. Musiliu A. Liadi
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  2. Bassam Tawabini
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  3. Reyad Shawabkeh
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  4. Nabil Jarrah
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  5. Tajudeen A. Oyehan
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  6. Abdulaziz Shaibani
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  7. Mohammed Makkawi
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Correspondence to Bassam Tawabini.

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Responsible editor: Tito Roberto Cadaval Jr

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Liadi, M., Tawabini, B., Shawabkeh, R. et al. Treating MTBE-contaminated water using sewage sludge-derived activated carbon. Environ Sci Pollut Res 25, 29397–29407 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-2737-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-2737-0

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