Studying the Adsorption Performance in Binding of BTEX in the Air by Activated Carbon

The adsorption experiment was carried out in an enclosed reactor in order to evaluate activated carbon, prepared by brewing yeast, which could remove benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX) from air. Various experimental parameters were determined, and activated carbon adsorption performance was compared with some commercial activated carbons (CACs). The results showed that lots of carboxyl, amino-groups and hydroxyl were on the surface of activated carbon, which were chemical reaction centers. Adsorption was reached equilibrium after six hours. The isothermal data of biosorption followed the Langmuir and Freundlich Models. When the temperature was 25°C,the maximum adsorption capacity was greater than the commercial activated carbon. These adsorption performances indicate that the activated carbon is a potentially economical adsorbent for BTEX removal.