Evaluation of Phenol Removal from Aqueous Solution by Banana Leaf Ash

Abstract

Several industries such as crude oil refineries, petrochemical plants, processing of olive oil, pesticide manufacturing, and oil and sewage activities produce significant amounts of phenol and its derivatives that are among the most important toxic compounds present in industrial wastewater. The present study was conducted to evaluate the absorption potential of phenol from aqueous solutions using the banana leaf ash (BLA). In this basic-applied research, the banana leaf ash (0.1- 1 g) was used as an absorbent according to the purposes intended in laboratory scale and in batch system, and then changes of phenol concentration effect, pH, contact time and Freundlich and Langmuir adsorption equations were investigated. The removal efficiency was 88.93% at pH of four, initial concentration of 10 mg/L and the contact time of 75 minutes. The Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms were studied to assess the adsorption equilibrium reactions, which the results demonstrated better compliance of adsorption equilibrium reactions with the Freundlich adsorption isotherm (R² 0.900) compared to the Langmuir adsorption isotherm (R² 0.758). Based on the findings of the present study, the banana leaf ash is an inexpensive absorbent with high absorption potential and appropriate ability to the removal of phenol from water and wastewater samples. 

Keywords: Phenol removal, Banana Leaf Ash, Aqueous Solution, Adsorption, Adsorbent