Mass transfer studies on phenol adsorption onto chitin

Phenols are considered as priority pollutants since they are harmful to organisms at low concentrations and many of them have been classified as hazardous pollutants because of their potential to harm human health. Adsorption is an effective and economical method for the removal of pollutants from wastewater. Although numerous studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of chitin and chitosan in the uptake of metal cations, little is known about external mass transfer and intraparticular diffusion effects of phenol adsorption onto chitin. The main objective of this study is to investigate the external mass transfer and intraparticular diffusion effects of phenol adsorption onto chitin. Experiments were carried out at Co=100 mg/L, agitating rate=150 rpm and T=25oC while pH was changed from 1 to 10. The external mass transfer and intraparticular diffusion models were applied to experimental data to examine the mechanisms of adsorption and potential rate-controlling steps. Keywords: phenols, chitin, intraparticular diffusion, external mass transfer.