Activated carbon is commonly used as a material for contaminant-adsorption processes in aqueous systems. However, its use is more restricted to charcoal than to coal, for the most part, in view of the fact of the higher cost (~ 40%) if the mineral is a fossil fuel which needs to be extracted from the earth by mining. For this reason, the peach stone that comes from alimentary industrial tailings can be a good choice for the separation of pollutants from aqueous suspensions and other soluble substances. The purpose of this research was the development of a low-cost filter, using stones to remove atrazine from water. Appraisal and characterization studies were performed along with batch experiments to investigate dosing effects of the activated carbon, atrazine concentration, contact time, and adsorption pH on removal procedures. From the results of the experiment, an excellent removal of the analyte in question was observed under conditions that can be considered as close as possible to the environment, such as pH = 6.5, room temperature and 10 minutes of agitation time, always choosing the best alternative with the lowest cost of energy and time. Batch system application has been recommended as versatile for utilization in seasonal problems such as pesticide contamination.
The development of new methods for the removal of taste and odor compounds (MIB and GEOSMINE) in supply waters with seasonal problems have been constantly tested. A completely accepted technology that can be efficient and used at any drinking water treatment facility is not yet available. The search for different associated techniques has demonstrated an increase in the removal of these, being the most used adsorption method. The peach stone, an agroindustrial residue, proved to be relevant and potential for use as an activated carbon precursor material for adsorption processes. The precursor material was activated and characterized, presenting porosity and surface area compatible with the adsorptive capacity of these compounds. The peach stone activated carbon showed a 612 mg g-1 iodine number, which corresponds to a value within the requirements of a commercial carbon used in water and effluent treatment. The adsorption efficiency was conducted in experiments with different carbon masses, varying the contact times, and compared with commercial carbons. For samples containing 3000 ng L-1 of MIB and GEOSMINE removal rates above 90 % were obtained using peach stone activated carbon.
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