Theses and Dissertations

Issuing Body

Mississippi State University

Advisor

Zappi, Mark E.

Committee Member

Bricka, R. Mark

Committee Member

Kuo, Chiang H.

Committee Member

Jefcoat, Irvin A.

Date of Degree

12-13-2002

Document Type

Graduate Thesis - Open Access

Major

Chemical Engineering

Degree Name

Master of Science

College

College of Engineering

Department

Dave C. Swalm School of Chemical Engineering

Abstract

In this research, the adsorptive capacities of kenaf, peat moss, hay, and peanut hulls were evaluated for the removal of TNT and 2,4-DCP from aqueous solutions. Adsorbent loading capacities determined by batch studies were verified by continuous column experiments. It was found that the adsorption capacity of the candidate adsorbents were significantly lower than granular activated carbon (GAC). The impact of surface modification techniques, such as surface oxidation, were evaluated to study the effect on adsorption capacity. At lower equilibrium concentrations of the adsorbate (less than 10 ppb), surface oxidation by ozone showed an increase in the adsorption capacity. The same trend was not observed with peroxone and ultrasound pretreatment. The adsorbent requirement for treating water contaminated with TNT and 2,4-DCP were calculated based on the adsorptive capacity of the adsorbents. Though the adsorbent requirements for the candidate adsorbents were considerably higher than granular activated carbon, the adsorbent requirement costs for most of the candidate adsorbents tested were competitive when compared to GAC costs.

URI

https://hdl.handle.net/11668/19616

Download

Share

COinS