Removal of sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate and phenol from water by a combined PAC adsorption and cross-flow microfiltration process

The removal of sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS) and phenol from water by a combined process of PAC (powdered activated carbon) adsorption and cross‐flow microfiltration (PAC–MF) was investigated. Batch PAC adsorption studies were made to obtain the isotherm data. The PAC–MF experiments were performed as a function of PAC dose (0.2–1.0 g dm−3), solution pH (2.5–11.2), transmembrane pressure (10–30 psi), and cross‐flow velocity (4.7–8.3 mm s−1). A compromise between removal efficiency of the organics and the permeate flux in the PAC–MF process was needed to select a suitable PAC dose. The role of pH in the PAC–MF process mainly depended on the acid–base nature of the organics being removed. A comparison of PAC–MF and fixed bed processes was also made, and the application potential of this PAC–MF process for continuous removal of relatively high‐molar‐mass organics such as SDBS from waste effluents was demonstrated. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry