Dynamic adsorption of 4-nitrophenol over shaped activated carbon produced from agriculture stones through microwave-assisted technique.

The aim of current work is to develop the uptake of 4-nitrophenol from the liquid phase in a dynamic system by the shaped activated carbon produced through the microwave-assisted technique. The emphasis of research is to understand the effects of production factors on the performance of adsorbents in the dynamic adsorption. Hence, the phosphoric acid ratio, microwave irradiation power, carbonization temperature, and time were changed to identify the suitable conditions for the fabrication of granular and rod-like beds from the cherry, and date stones. It was found that the stone structure and HPO/waste ratio significantly affect the adsorption efficiency. The proper acid/waste ratio was determined to be 1.43, and 1.80 for the activation of cherry and date stones to achieve the maximal efficiency in which the power should be fixed at the levels of 600 and 400 W respectively. The equilibrium efficiency increases with the rise in carbonization temperature and time which should be controlled exactly to reach the maximal adsorption capacity, ~ 45 mg g according to the Langmuir isotherm. Owing to the high specific surface area of shaped adsorbents, 350-450 mg g, the fabricated beds indicated the appropriate performance for the uptake of nitrophenol due to development of micropores, < 2 nm, in the framework of activated carbon.