Efficient Removal of Phenol and 2,4,6-TCP Trichlorophnol by Okra Leaves; Optimization, Kinetic and Equilibrium Studies

Abstract

Phenolics are regarded as high priority organic pollutants, their possible negative effects on human health and other organisms even at extremely low levels of concentration compel researchers to work out ways to remove phenolics. The current research explores the nature of phenol and 2, 4, 6- Ttrichlorophnol (2, 4, 6-TCP) elimination on to low cost and economical adsorbent Okra leaves. The effects of various parameters like pH, initial solution concentration, and amount of adsorbent, agitation time on the adsorption of phenol and 2,4,6-TCP were studied using batch adsorption. The results showed that, the percentage adsorption rose with pH and time and went down with the initial solution concentration. At neutral pH, phenol and 2, 4, 6-TCP adsorption reach the equilibrium after 180 and 60 minutes respectively. The kinetic model that was observed to be followed in the adsorption process was the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin-Radushkevich models were used to analyze equilibrium data through non-linear regression equations. The freundlich calculated isotherm adsorption capacity of Phenol and 2,4,6-TCP are 323 and 616 mg g-1 respectively at 25  Oliver C.

Keywords: Phenol Removal; Okra Leaves; Batch adsorption; Kinetic Models