Breakthrough curves of oil adsorption on novel amorphous carbon thin film

Abstract

A novel amorphous carbon thin film (ACTF) was prepared by hydrolyzing wood sawdust and delignificating the residue to obtain cellulose mass that was subjected to react with cobalt silicate nanoparticle as a catalyst under the influence of sudden concentrated sulfuric acid addition at 23 °C. The novel ACTF was obtained in the form of thin films like graphene sheets having winding surface. The prepared ACTF was characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectrometer, transmission electron microscope (TEM), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET). The adsorption capacity of ACTF to remove oil from synthetic produced water was evaluated using the incorporation of Thomas and Yoon-Nelson models. The performance study is described through the breakthrough curves concept under relevant operating conditions such as column bed heights (3.8, 5 and 11 mm) and flow rate (0.5, 1 and 1.5 mL.min(-1)). It was found that the oil uptake mechanism is favoring higher bed height. Also, the highest bed capacity of 700 mg oil/g ACTF was achieved at 5 mm bed height, and 0.5 mL.min(-1) flow rate. The results of breakthrough curve for oil adsorption was best described using the Yoon-Nelson model. Finally, the results illustrate that ACTF could be utilized effectively for oil removal from synthetic produced water in a fixed-bed column system.