REMOVAL OF AMMONIA AND BENZENE BY ACTIVATED CARBONS FROM LIGNOUS COAL

The adsorption of benzene and ammonia from gas phase and solution was determined on zinc chloride-activated and steam-activated carbons. The adsorption of benzene vapour exhibited type I isotherms on microporous carbons and type II isotherms on mesoporous highly activated carbons. The adsorption of this adsorbate from its aqueous solution gave parabolic isotherms characteristic of adsorption from solution. The adsorption of ammonia gas and ammonia from aqueous solution are parabolic in shape but with some changes in the initial portions of the isotherms depending on the pore structure. Activated carbons showed high adsorption capacities for benzene and ammonia both from the gas phase and aqueous solutions. The adsorption capacity depends on the method of activation as well as on the phase from which the adsorbate is taken on the carbon surface.