Journal of Natural Environment

Removing Toluene from Atmospheric Air by Nano Activated Carbon Adsorbent

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Environment and Energy, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.

2 Department of Environment and Energy, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

3 Research Institute of Petroleum Industry (RIPI), West Entrance Blvd., Olympic Village, P.O. Box: 14857-33111, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Introduction: The extensive application of Toluene in metropolis concentrated industries, has led to performing several studies about how to decreasing Toluene vapors in the atmospheric air. This experimental study is involving in the Toluene elimination of the air by using Nano-technology and also Nano actived Carbon as alternative factors to NIOSH confirmed actived carbon.
Material and Method: Nano active carbon adsorbent was synthesized and then the elimination of toluene was investigated by active carbon and Nano activate carbon in both static and dynamic systems. For identifying the absorbents morphologies and determination of primary and final concentration of Toluene, electron microscopy-model Zeiss and GAS chromatography through flame ionization detector were applied, respectively. The impact of factors such as temperature, humidity, toluene concentration, the amount of adsorbent and contiguity time was investigated.
Results: The absorbance capacity of Nano active carbon and active carbon for removing toluene in the ambient temperature in the static system are 207.6 mg/g and 185.2 mg/g and their absorbance efficiency in the static system are 98.4% and 44.2%, respectively. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) images of Nano active carbon showed particle size pf less than 100 nm while Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) images showed particle size of 30 nm. XRD images also showed cube structure of Nano active carbon adsorbent.
Conclusion: The structure of synthesized Nano active carbon showed vast surface of this nanomaterial for absorbing the toluene. Absorbance capacity in the constant humidity increases with the increment of congruity time and temperature. In optimal condition, absorption capacity and efficiency of Nano active Carbon is more than active Carbon and also Nano active Carbon is more affordable in comparison to active carbon.

Keywords

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Journal of Natural Environment
Volume 72, Issue 1
March 2019
Pages 45-58