MODELING OF DYNAMIC (COLUMN) ADSORPTION AND BREAKTHROUGH CURVES IN AN ORGANOBENTONITE BED

Abstract

This study investigates the dynamic adsorption of petroleum hydrocarbons in an organobentonite adsorption bed for the effective treatment of oil-contaminated water. Experimental investigations were carried out in a continuous-flow fixed-bed column system. The effects of key operational parameters, including bed height, volumetric flow rate, and initial pollutant concentration, on the breakthrough behavior and adsorption performance were comprehensively evaluated. Based on the experimental results, breakthrough curves were constructed and the mass-transfer characteristics of the adsorption process were analyzed. To describe the adsorption dynamics and predict column performance, the Thomas, Yoon – Nelson, Adams – Bohart, and BDST (Bed Depth Service Time) models were applied. These models enabled the determination of the dynamic adsorption capacity of organobentonite, service time of the adsorption bed, and optimal operating conditions of the fixed-bed system. The results demonstrated that increasing the bed height prolonged the breakthrough time and enhanced pollutant removal efficiency, whereas increasing the volumetric flow rate reduced the contact time between the adsorbate and adsorbent, resulting in lower adsorption performance.

Keywords

References

1. Metcalf & Eddy. Wastewater Engineering: Treatment and Resource Recovery. 5th Edition. McGraw-Hill.
2. U.S. EPA – Petroleum Refining Effluent Guidelines
3. Crittenden J.C. et al. Water Treatment: Principles and Design. 3rd Edition.
4. El-Naas M.H., Alhaija M.A., Al-Zuhair S. Evaluation of an activated carbon packed bed for the adsorption of phenols from petroleum refinery wastewater. Chemical Engineering Journal.
5. Bansal R.C., Goyal M. Activated Carbon Adsorption. CRC Press.
6. Belat B., Veli S., Isgoren M. (2022). Modeling of linear alkyl benzene sulphonic acid removal from aqueous solution with fixed bed adsorption column: Thomas and Yoon – Nelson methods. DOI: 10.1002/jctb.7048.
7. Chu K.H., Hashim M.A. (2024). Comparing different versions of the Yoon – Nelson model... DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-32450-7.
8. El-Naas M.H. et al. Evaluation of an activated carbon packed bed for the adsorption of phenols from petroleum refinery wastewater.
9. Li Y. et al. Fixed Bed Adsorption Study on Phosphate Removal Using Nanosized FeOOH- Modified Anion Resin. DOI: 10.1155/2013/736275.
10. Novel combinatorial extensions to breakthrough curve modeling of an adsorption column. DOI: 10.1016/j.jiec.2020.03.015.
11. Crittenden J.C., Trussell R.R., et al. Water Treatment: Principles and Design. Wiley, 2012.
12. Thomas H.C. (1944). Heterogeneous Ion Exchange in a Flowing System. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 66, 1664 – 1666.
13. Yoon Y.H., Nelson J.H. (1984). Application of Gas Adsorption Kinetics. American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal, 45, 509 – 516.
14. Hutchins R.A. (1973). New Simplified Design of Activated Carbon Systems. American Water Works Association.
15. Bansal R.C., Goyal M. Activated Carbon Adsorption. CRC Press, 2005.
16. Ruthven D.M. Principles of Adsorption and Adsorption Processes. Wiley, 1984.