Removal of Dissolved Oil from Aqueous Solution using Polymer Adsorbent, and Regeneration Characteristics of Adsorbent

A packed-bed column containing a hydrophobic polymer adsorbent HP-20 was used for removal of oil (toluene) dissolved in aqueous solution. Effects of bed thickness and flow rate are examined. The adsorption equilibrium shows a constant distribution ratio between adsorbent and aqueous solution, indicating physical adsorption. The break-through curve against dimensionless time depended on the ratio of the flow rate to the bed thickness. Theoretical calculation using the mass transfer coefficient in aqueous phase and effective diffusion coefficients in the adsorbent particle generate curves which are in good agreement with the experiments. Regeneration of the adsorbent HP-20 is attained at rather mild condition, while carbon regenerated under the same condition shows only 30% the activity of fresh samples.