Fixed-bed study for adsorptive removal of furfural by activated carbon

In our previous study [A.K. Sahu, V.C. Srivastava, I.D. Mall, D.H. Latye, Sep. Sci. Technol. 43 (5) (2008) 1239], commercial grade activated carbon (ACC) was used for adsorptive removal of furfural from aqueous solution using batch studies. In the present study, continuous fixed-bed adsorption was carried out in ACC packed bed for the removal of furfural from aqueous solution. The effects of important factors namely bed height (Z = 15–60 cm), influent concentration of furfural (Co = 50–200 mg/l), the flow rate (Q = 0.02–0.04 l/min) and column diameter (D = 2–4 cm) were studied. Capacity of the bed to adsorb furfural was found to increase with an increase in the value of Z, Co and D; and with decrease in the value of Q. Adams–Bohart, Bed-Depth Service-Time, Thomas, Yoon–Nelson, Clark and Wolborska models were applied to the experimental data for the prediction of the breakthrough point, and to determine the characteristic parameters of the column. Error analysis showed that the Yoon–Nelson model best described the experimental breakthrough curve, while Wolborska model showed good prediction of breakthrough curve for the relative concentration region up to 0.5.