Phenol removal using pulsation bubble column with inverse fluidization airlift loop reactor

Abstract

Phenol and phenolic compounds are omnipresent organic contaminants which are sent out to water bodies and wastewater systems produced from industrial processes, and they require specific attention due to their extraordinary features such as high toxicity, carcinogenic characteristics, and ability to accumulate, which affects the health of humans and the environment. In this practical study, the integrated system of a pulsation bubble column with an inverse fluidization air loop reactor was tested to remove phenol. The test platform was made and operated with a bubble column containing at its upper end an electrical solenoid valve engaged via at least two timers, and connected to the air loop reactor consisting of an outer rectangular tube and an internal draft tube by one-way valve, where the granular activated carbon is put as an adsorbent material in the annulus region between the inner and outer tube. The effects of various parameters [molar ratio of Phenol to H2O2 (1/10, 1/15 and 1/20), airflow rate (5-20 L/min), remediation time (5-60 min), initial phenol concentration (10- 150 mg L-1) have been studied. Removing 90% of the contaminated phenol as a result of this study may represent a partial solution to the ecological problem.