Toluene sorption by granular activated carbon and its use in cold regions permeable reactive barrier: Fixed bed studies

Abstract

Sorption characteristics of toluene on a granular activated carbon (GAC) derived from coconut shell have been investigated at 4. and 20°C to facilitate the development of a permeable reactive barrier (PRB) to treat oil-contaminated surface and sub-surface waters in cold regions. A one-dimensional solute transfer model describing quantitatively the equilibrium and kinetics of sorption of toluene on GAC fixed-bed reveals that breakthrough and saturation capacities reduce with increased water flow rates. The GAC sorption capacity in a fixed bed is between 30 and 60% of the capacity determined in equivalent batch system. Fixed-bed performance is also significantly reduced at low temperature, wit..