• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.285-289
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• 2006

In this study, the effect of an acidic treatment on granular activated carbon (GAC) and activated carbon fibers (ACF) was investigated for a $Pb^{2+}$ and $Ni^{2+}$ ion adsorption. 1.0 M nitric acid solution was used as the acid solution for the surface treatment. Surface properties of the GAC and ACF were characterized by the pH, elemental analysis and pHpzc (pH of the point of zero charge). Their specific surface area and the pore structure were also evaluated by the nitrogen adsorption data at 77K. As a result, the acidic treatment led to an increase of the oxygen-containing functional groups. Furthermore, the adsorption capacity of the acid-treated GAC and ACF was improved in the order of acidic-ACF > untreated-ACF > acidic-GAC > untreated-GAC, though the decrease in specific surface area induced by a pore blocking of the functional groups was observed.

• Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.235-248
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• 2014

The widespread occurrence of dissolved endocrine disrupting compounds(EDCs) and pharmaceutical active compounds(PhACs) in water sources is of concern due to their adverse effects. To remove these chemicals, adsorption of EDCs/PhACs on granular activated carbon(GAC) was investigated, and bisphenol A, carbamazepine, diclofenac, ibuprofen, and sulfamethoxazole were selected as commonly occurring EDCs/PhACs in the aquatic environment. Various adsorption isotherms were applied to evaluate compatability with each adsorption in the condition of single-solute. Removal difference between individual and competitive adsorption were investigated from the physicochemical properties of each adsorbate. Hydrophobicity interaction was the main adsorption mechanism in the single-solute adsorption with order of maximum adsorption capacity as bisphenol A > carbamazepine > sulfamethoxazole > diclofenac > ibuprofen, while both hydrophobicity and molecular size play significant roles in competitive adsorption. Adsorption kinetic was also controled by hydrophobicity of each adsorbate resulting in higher hydrophobicity allowed faster adsorption on available adsorption site on GAC. EDCs/PhACs adsorption on GAC was determined as an endothermic reaction resulting in better adsorption at higher temperature ($40^{\circ}C$) than lower temperature ($10^{\circ}C$).

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.318-325
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• 2017

Wastewater including ethanolamine used in the second generation of nuclear power plants is filtered out in the ion exchange resin of the condensate polishing plant. In the regeneration process of ion exchange resin, a strong acidic wastewater containing ethanolamine and a lager amount of ionic substances are released. In this study, the process involving UV oxidation part with or without absorbents was developed for treating wastewater released from the ionic exchange resin. The effect of adsorbents on the wastewater treatment was investigated by using UV oxidation system developed by us. As a result, the COD removal efficiency of UV/GAC process with the granular activated carbon (GAC) as an adsorbent was 71.3% at pH 12.8. The removal efficiency was 21.8% higher than that of the wastewater treated using UV oxidation process without any adsorbents at the same condition. The removal of T-N was 88.6% at pH 12.8 when using UV oxidation with the GAC absorbent, which was 18.0% higher than that of using the UV oxidation process without any absorbents. It is thought that ethanolamine adsorbed on the absorbent improved the efficiency of UV oxidation process. Therefore, the UV/GAC adsorption oxidation process can be more effective in treating wastewater containing ethanolamine than that of using the process without any absorbents.