Single and binary adsorption equilibria of ethylbenzene and toluene into biochar derived by municipal solid waste

Yohan Jayawardhanaa, M. Vithanageb, G. Herathc, M. Mowjoodd

a Environmental Science Research Group, National Institute of Fundamental Studies, Sri Lanka

b Ecosphere Resilience Research Center, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka

c Department of Civil Engineering, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

d Department of Agricultural Engineering, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

yohan071@gmail.com

Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) landfills contain a variety of toxic xenobiotic compounds, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Biochar (BC) derived from pyrolysis of biomass are increasingly being recognized as a sorbent for organic contaminants. The objectives of this study were to produce MSW BC form an organic fraction of solid waste and evaluate its potential for remediation of VOCs from landfill leachate while the reduction of MSW by utilizing as a sustainable option for solid waste management. The MSW was transformed into MSW BC by on-site pyrolyzer built at the Open dumpsite. The produced MSW BC was characterized for proximate, ultimate, and elemental analysis. For adsorption potential determination, batch sorption studies were conducted for ethylbenzene, toluene under single and binary aqueous media as a sorbate with MSW BC. Edge sorption was conducted for different pH (3,5,7, and 9) levels and kinetics were conducted for 50 µg/L sorbate for different time (½ - 24 h) intervals. Batch equilibrium isotherm studies conducted in different temperatures (25, 35, 45 °C) and range of concentration (10 – 600 µg/L) while, concentration acquired under the static headspace GCMS facility. The amounts of total sorbate ware being doubled for binary setup. The nonlinear curve fittings employed for isotherm and kinetics to obtain the mechanistic role of sorbent sorbate interaction. According to the proximate and ultimate results high temperature derived and lower polarity index [(O+N)/C] (0.26) exhibited highly carbonized structure indicated and it can influence the hydrophobicity and favorability of organic sorption. Furthermore, elemental results of the MSW BC presented are very low and tracer bioavailability of trace metals implies the sorbent suitability. Removal of both sorbate was increased with the pH and maximum observed at 9. Maximum adsorption capacities for ethylbenzene and toluene were in the single sorbate system respectively 476, 486 µg/g express under room temperature the maximum adsorption capacity of binary system was 514, 492 µg/g for the same sorbates. The entire systems depict the favorability of adsorption while increasing temperature. However, binary system demonstrate mutually exclusive sorption, and elevated ethylbenzene maximum sorption in all temperatures could explain hydrophobicity of sorbent favor and competitive for higher adsorption. Best fitting of both Freundlich and Langmuir reveal simultaneous influence of the chemisorptive and physisorptive behavior of sorbates sorbent interaction. Thus kinetic fittings more narrate towards chemisorption process in single and binary system. Thermodynamics results imply low and explain the nature of the physical interaction of all systems. This study suggests the potential of MSW BC for complex matrix of VOCs adsorption from landfill leachate and biochar as a sustainable option of simultaneous waste management and pollution control.

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