Experimental study of formaldehyde and BTEX adsorption onto activated carbon from lignocellulosic biomass

Abstract

Formaldehyde and BTEX have been used for different industries and other activities. They release many ways that negatively affect the environment and human health due to inadequate ventilation and rapidly increasing oscillation conditions. The widely used technology, which activated carbon, is emerging new studies on air pollutants removal. This study was produced activated carbon for formaldehyde and BTEX removal from Aesculus hippocastanum L. biomass. It was used as organic waste that is abundant in nature. The carbonization was taken place at 600 °C and chemical activation by mixing with ZnCl2. The produced activated carbon has a surface area is 1858.42 m2/g. The adsorption capacity acquired from experimental data of VOCs were range from 638 to 1114 µg/g for AC-KN, respectively. The removal capacity of produced activated carbon was investigated in a batch reactor. Also, Freundlich and Langmuir’s isotherms were applied in the study. Accordingly, the experimental data were found compatible with both and a hybrid structure that the formaldehyde and BTEX adsorption by AC-KN was better fitted into the Freundlich model. Overall, the study showed that the produced AC-KN from the Aesculus hippocastanum L. biomass has a perfect potential in the removal of the formaldehyde and BTEX from indoor air.