Process Development for Removal of Substituted Phenol by Carbonaceous Adsorbent Obtained from Fertilizer Waste

Waste slurry, generated in local fertilizer plants, is converted into a cheap carbonaceous material. The product so obtained has been characterized and utilized for the removal of 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP). The removal of DNP is 100% weight-to-weight (w/w) at low concentrations, while it is 80% w/w at higher concentrations. Several factors affecting the removal of DNP from water (e.g., particle size distribution, solution pH, contact time, loading of DNP on the adsorbent, etc.) have been studied at optimum pH (4.0). Both batch and column studies were performed. The adsorption capacities, adsorption rates, and break-through curves are used to optimize the contactors and identify design correlations. Some feasibility experiments have been performed, with an aim to recover DNP and chemical regeneration of the spent column. It is observed that 60 mL of 5% w/w NaOH is sufficient for almost complete desorption of DNP (loaded 57.5 mg, desorbed 55.2 mg). After regeneration with 1M HNO3, the sorption capacity of the column is almost the same as that of virgin adsorbent material.