Holographic interferometry study of phenol diffusion

Phenol exists in wastewater streams for many industrial processes. The toxicity of phenolic effluents is well known and their treatment must be accomplished. Among the methods of recovery, the technique of adsorption provides a convenient way with low cost. For modelling the diffusion process it is necessary to know the diffusion constant. The technique of double-exposure holographic interferometry (HI) is used to study phenol diffusion in water in the presence and in the absence of activated carbon. The diffusion constant is calculated by a simple and direct measurement of interferograms.