Column Studies for the Simultaneous Removal of Phenol, Ammonia and Thiocyanate by the Adsorption with Steel Slag

Abstract

In the present studies adsorption of phenol, ammonia and thiocyanate are studied. Phenol, ammonia and thiocyanate co-exist in the coke-oven wastewater. Their presence in wastewater is harmful. High exposures to phenol may be fatal to human beings; infants appear to be hyper susceptible [1]. Ammoniamay cause eutrophication of surface water and is known to be toxic to all vertebrates causing neurological disorder, coma or even death [2]. Thiocyanate is less toxic however it is reported to affect the growth and reproductive system of the fish [3]. [27]. Most of the studies concluded that Langmuir and Freundlich describes isotherm and Pseudo second order model describes the kinetics of adsorption. It is also reported that presence of one pollutant in the wastewater effects the removal of other pollutant. Adsorption of phenol was found improved on the resin in the presence of ammonia [28]. Presence of thiocyanate is found to be affect the removal efficiency of phenol as well as ammonia [29]. Very few studies are focused on the use of industrial waste as an adsorbent. Most of the studies are focused on batch studies. Column studies provide the effect of bed height and performance of adsorbent under the continuous flow of wastewater. The aim of the study is to provide the performance of the steel slag as an adsorbent for the removal of phenol, ammonia and thiocyanate. Adsorbent used in these studies is a steel slag, the waste material from the steel industry. Piles of steel slag can be seen of the steel slag near the steel industries. Recently, steel slag has gained some commercial value and is known better for its use in as