Separation characteristics of some phenoxy herbicides from aqueous solution

The adsorption and desorption characteristics of some phenoxy herbicides (CPA 2,4-D, and MCPA) from an aqueous solution on the active carbon materials (GAC, F-400) were studied. Adsorption equilibrium capacities of the phenoxy herbicides increased with a decrease in pH of the solution. Adsorption equilibrium isotherms were represented by the Sips equation. Kinetic parameters were measured in a batch adsorber to analyze the adsorption rates of the phenoxy herbicides. The internal diffusion coefficients were determined by comparing the experimental concentration curves with those predicted from the surface diffusion model and the pore diffusion model. The adsorption model based on the linear driving force approximation (LDFA) was used to simulate the adsorption behavior of the phenoxy herbicides in a fixed bed adsorber. Over 95 percent desorption of the phenoxy herbicides was obtained using distilled water.