Removal of Phenol from Aqueous Solution by Adsorption on to Coal Fly Ash

Abstract

The present work examines the possible use of fly ash, a byproduct of coal power stations, as a means of removing phenol from water, or equivalently, of restricting its movement in solid wastes or soil. Equilibrium experiments were performed to evaluate the removal efficiency of fly ash. The adsorption experiments were undertaken using fly ash treated at three different pH levels and with three different temperatures. The results indicate that although phenol can be removed from water, this depends markedly on the temperature and pH value of the treatment solution employed.