Removal of LAS from water by activated carbon and resins in continuous process

Abstract

In this study, Purolite resins and activated carbon (AC) were used to remove LAS (linear dodecyl benzene sulfonate) from water. In some cases the conventional filtration at constant pressure released a negligible amount of residual surfactant (< 0.1 mg L-1). Adsorption characteristics were investigated with anionic, cationic and mixed resins and activated carbon with different sizes. LAS adsorption onto the solid material was studied in a solution of low concentration (0.50 mg L-1). For comparison, some filters filled with resins and activated carbon were prepared, characterized and connected to the recipient bottom for filtration. The size of carbon particles really influenced the results, and the anionic resin exhibited better adsorption capacity than the others in this study. The ANOVA response surface analyses properly confirmed the experimental results. Keywords: resins; activated carbon; filtration; continuous process; adsorption.