Optimization of Activated Carbon Sulfurization to Reach Adsorbent with the Highest Capacity for Mercury Adsorption

This work deals with the use of elemental sulfur immobilized on the activated carbon surface, as an active phase to enhance the sorbent's mercury adsorption capacity. The sulfurization procedure was optimized, and the influence of two factors (temperature and initial ratio of sulfur to carbon), on the final properties and mercury adsorption capacities of the adsorbents was investigated. The sulfurized adsorbents were characterized using CHNS/O elemental analysis, surface area and porosimetry, FT-IR spectroscopy, SEM-EDS, and pH(pzc) measurement. A series of batch studies were also conducted to delineate the effect of contact time, initial pH, solution temperature, and initial mercury concentration on the adsorption capacity of the adsorbents. Furthermore, attempts were made to desorb mercury from the metal loaded adsorbents using various concentrations of KCl, KBr and KI solutions.