BTEX removal from aqueous solutions by HDTMA-modified Y zeolite.

Various technologies have been used for the treatment and remediation of areas contaminated by BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes), which are organic compounds that are of particular concern due to their toxicity. Potential applications of synthetic zeolites for environmental fieldwork have also been reported worldwide. In this work, a hexadecyltrimethyl ammonium (HDTMA) surfactant-modified synthetic zeolite was investigated for its efficiency in removing BTEX from aqueous solutions. Three surfactant-modified zeolites were synthesized, with amounts of surfactant corresponding to 50%, 100%, and 200% of the total cation-exchange capacity (CEC) of the synthetic zeolite Y. The results of the BTEX adsorption experiments onto both synthetic zeolite and surfactant-modified zeolites (SMZ) showed that the SMZ-100 (zeolite modified with surfactant levels at 100% of CEC) was the most efficient modified zeolite for BTEX removal. Kinetics studies indicated that the multicomponent adsorption equilibrium was reached within 6 h and followed pseudo-second-order kinetics. The Langmuir, Freundlich, Redlich-Peterson and Temkin models were used to evaluate the BTEX adsorption capacity by SMZ-100. The Temkin model was found to be suitable for all BTEX compounds in a multicomponent system. Regeneration cycles of the modified zeolite were also performed, and the results showed that the adsorbent could be used efficiently in as many as four adsorption cycles, except for benzene.

Adsorption of BTX (benzene, toluene, o-xylene, and p-xylene) from aqueous solutions by modified periodic mesoporous organosilica.

The capacity of a periodic mesoporous organosilica (PMO) to adsorb the aromatic compounds benzene, toluene, o-, and p-xylenes (BTX), which are usually present in produced waters, was investigated under both column and batch processes. The PMO was synthesized by condensation of 1,4 bis(triethoxisilyl)benzene (BTEB) under acidic conditions by using structure-directing agent (SDA) Pluronic P123 in the presence of KCl. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the presence of the surfactant decreases the thermal stability of the PMO. The small-angle X-ray diffraction pattern, as well as the nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherm measurements, revealed that the synthesized material has a crystalline structure, with hexagonally-ordered cylindrical mesopores. The adsorption kinetics study indicated an adsorption equilibrium time of 50 min and also showed that the data best fitted the pseudo-first order kinetic model. The intraparticle diffusion model was also tested and pointed to the occurrence of such process in all cases. Both Langmuir and Temkin models best represented the adsorption isotherms of toluene; Langmuir and Redlich-Peterson models best represented the data obtained for the other compounds. Adsorption capacity decreases in the order benzene>o-xylene>p-xylene>toluene. Satisfactory results were observed in the application of the synthesized PMO for the removal of BTX from aqueous solution.

Adsorption of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from aqueous solutions by modified periodic mesoporous organosilica.

A novel procedure was developed for the synthesis of a periodic mesoporous organosilica (PMO), which was used to remove polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from aqueous solutions. Adsorption equilibrium isotherms and adsorption kinetics experiments were carried out in solutions of PAHs (2-60 mg L(-1)), using the PMO as adsorbent. Adsorption models were used to predict the mechanisms involved. The adsorption kinetics data best fitted the pseudo-first-order kinetic model for naphthalene, and to the pseudo-second-order model for fluorene, fluoranthene, pyrene, and acenaphtene. The intraparticle model was also tested and pointed to the occurrence of such processes in all cases. The isotherm models which best represented the data obtained were the Freundlich model for fluoranthene, pyrene, and fluorene, the Temkin model for naphthalene, and the Redlich-Peterson model for acenaphtene. PAHs showed similar behavior regarding kinetics after 24 h of contact between adsorbent and PAHs. FTIR, XRD, BET, and SEM techniques were used for the characterization of the adsorbent material.