Batch study, equilibrium and kinetics of adsorption of naphthalene using waste tyre rubber granules

The potential use of waste tyre rubber granules (WTRG) for the batch adsorption of naphthalene from aqueous solutions was investigated. The effect of various operational variables such as contact time, initial naphthalene concentration, adsorbent dose, size of adsorbent particles, and temperature of solution on the adsorption capacity of WTRG was evaluated. The adsorption of naphthalene by WTRG was a fast kinetic process with an equilibrium contact time of 60 min. A low temperature (5 degrees C), small adsorbent particle size (0.212 mm) and higher adsorbent dosage favored the adsorption process. Results of isotherm studies revealed that adsorption of naphthalene was best described by the Langmuir isotherm equation (R-2=0.997) while the kinetics of the process was best described by the Lagergren pseudo-first order kinetic equation (R-2=0.998). This study has demonstrated the suitability of WTRG for the removal of naphthalene from aqueous solution.