Adsorption/biosorption of furfural and mercury onto granular activated carbon/granular dead of anaerobic sludge

Abbas H. Sulaymon and Hayfa'a

Abstract

The removal of furfural and Hg+2ions pollutant from wastewater by using granular dead of anaerobic sludge (GDAS) and granular activated carbon (GAC) were studied. Batch adsorption/biosorption experiments were carried out as a function of pH, concentration of furfural and Hg+2ions, time, temperature and adsorbent dose. Maximum removal was found around pH =4. It was found that the maximum uptake for furfural was greater than mercury onto GAC, while it was the opposite for GDAS. Thermodynamic parameters including the Gibbs free energy and enthalpy changes indicated that the adsorption/biosorption of furfural and Hg+2ions onto adsorbent/biosorbent were feasible, spontaneous and exothermic reactions.