Valorization of two waste streams into activated carbon and studying its adsorption kinetics, equilibrium isotherms and thermodynamics for methylene blue removal

• Published in: Arabian journal of chemistry Vol. 7; no. 6; pp. 1148 - 1158
• Main Authors: AlOthman, Zeid Abdullah, Habila, Mohamed Abdelaty, Ali, Rahmat, Abdel Ghafar, Ayman, El-din Hassouna, Mohamed Salah
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.12.2014; Elsevier
• Subjects: Activated carbon; Adsorption; Agricultural waste; Copyrolysis; Kinetic models; Lubricating oil waste; Copyrolysis; Lubricating oil waste; Agricultural waste; Adsorption; Activated carbon; Kinetic models
• ISSN: 1878-5352; 1878-5379
• DOI: 10.1016/j.arabjc.2013.05.007

Wastes must be managed properly to avoid negative impacts that may result. Open burning of waste causes air pollution which is particularly hazardous. Flies, mosquitoes and rats are major problems in poorly managed surroundings. Uncollected wastes often cause unsanitary conditions and hinder the efforts to keep streets and open spaces in a clean and attractive condition. During final disposal methane is generated, it is much more effective than carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas, leading to climate change. Therefore, this study describes the possible valorization of two waste streams into activated carbon (AC) with added value due to copyrolysis. High efficiency activated carbon was prepared by the copyrolysis of palm stem waste and lubricating oil waste. The effects of the lubricating oil waste to palm stem ratio and the carbonization temperature on the yield and adsorption capacity of the activated carbon were investigated. The results indicated that the carbon yield depended strongly on both the carbonization temperature and the lubricating oil to palm stem ratio. The efficiency of the adsorption of methylene blue (MB) onto the prepared carbons increased when the lubricating oil to palm stem ratio increased due to synergistic effect. The effects of pH, contact time, and the initial adsorbate concentration on the adsorption of methylene blue were investigated. The maximum adsorption capacity (128.89mg/g) of MB occurred at pH 8.0. The MB adsorption kinetics were analyzed using pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order and intraparticle diffusion kinetic models. The results indicated that the adsorption of MB onto activated carbon is best described using a second order kinetic model. Adsorption data are well fitted with Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. The thermodynamic parameters; ΔG°, ΔH° and ΔS° indicate that the adsorption is spontaneous and endothermic.