RESUMEN
PURPOSE: The present study aimed to investigate the effect of humic acid (as a NOM model) on the adsorption capacity of MWCNT. METHODS: Ethyl benzene and toluene were removed from aqueous solution and adsorbed on multi walled carbon nanotubes in batch adsorption experiments at the presence of different concentrations of humic acid. RESULTS: The results showed that the highest adsorption of multi walled carbon nanotubes was 72 mg/g for ethyl benzene and 35 mg/g for toluene in an aqueous solution without humic acid. Langmuir isotherm model and pseudo-second-order kinetic model were the predominant models of adsorption process. Pre-loading of humic acid on MWCNT reduced the adsorption capacity of MWCNT from 14 mg/g to 8 mg/g for toluene and from 25 mg/g to 10 mg/g for ethyl benzene, when the experiments were conducted with MWCNT pre-loaded by humic acid from 0 to 30% . CONCLUSIONS: The batch adsorption experiments showed that the presence of dissolved humic acid in the aqueous environment slightly affected the adsorption of ethyl benzene and toluene by MWCNT but, Pre-loading of humic acid on MWCNT could reduce the adsorption capacity of multi walled carbon nanotubes.
RESUMEN
Introduction of fuel hydrocarbons and inorganic compounds (heavy metals) into the soil, resulting in a change of the soil quality, which is likely to affect use of the soil or endangering public health and ground water. This study aimed to determine a series of parameters to remediation of TPH and heavy metals contaminated soil by non-ionic surfactants- chelating agents washing process. In this experimental study, the effects of soil washing time, agitation speed, concentration of surfactant, chelating agent and pH on the removal efficiency were studied. The results showed that TPH removal by nonionic surfactants (Tween 80, Brij 35) in optimal condition were 70-80% and 60-65%, respectively. Addition of chelating agent (EDTA) significantly increases Cd and Pb removal. The washing of soil by non- ionic surfactants and EDTA was effective in remediation of TPH and heavy metals from contaminated soil, thus it can be recommended for remediation of contaminated soil.
RESUMEN
The removal of 4-chlorophenol from aqueous phase continues to be an important environmental issue. In this work, the photochemical oxidation of 4-chlorophenol in aqueous solutions in a batch reactor using ultraviolet irradiation, hydrogen peroxide and nickel oxide was studied. The efficiency of the system was evaluated with respect to reaction time, pH, feed concentration of reactants, catalyst load, light intensity, and the reaction rate constant. The concentrations of 4-chlorophenol and chloride ions were determined by high performance liquid chromatography and ion chromatography, respectively. Pure nanosized nickel oxide was characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that the optimum conditions (the complete 4-chlorophenol removal (100%) at 60 min) were obtained at a neutral pH, with 0.2 mol/L H2O2, and 0.05 g/L of nickel oxide. However, no pH effects were observed in the range of 4-10. Analytical profiles on 4-chlorophenol transformation were consistent with the best line fit of the first-order kinetics. Moreover, the degradation rate constant increased with both UV light intensity and decreasing initial concentration of 4-chlorophenol. Finally, the results of mineralization and chloride ions studies indicated that dechlorination was better accomplished but more time was required to completely mineralize 4-chlorophenol into water and carbon dioxide.