Application of powdery activated carbons for removal ibuprofen from water

Abstract

The paper presents the results of studies on the use of adsorptive properties of selected powdered activated carbons (Norit SA Super and Carbopol MB5) for removal of ibuprofen from water. The tests were performed on non-flow conditions, series depending on the type and dose of powdered adsorbents. The research was carried out on a model solution of ibuprofen at initial concentration C0 = 20 mg/dm3, at 20 °C. Froundlich and Langmuir adsorption isotherms were used. Lagergrene kinetic models (PFO) and Ho (PSO) were used to describe adsorption kinetics. Both carbons exhibited a higher affinity for the adsorbent at pH above 7. Norit SA Super was a better adsorbent, for which, the highest adsorption capacity q = 0.448 g/g was achieved with dose D = 35 mg/dm3. The effectiveness of adsorption (decrease of ibuprofen in water) was 78%. The total removal of ibuprofen was obtained for a dose of carbon D = 200 mg/ dm3. With respect to Carbopol, the highest adsorption capacity (q = 0.353 g/g) was achieved at a dose of 30 mg/dm3, resulting in a 53% efficiency. Studies have shown that both tested powdered activated carbons have contributed to effective cleaning of aqueous solutions containing ibuprofen.