Adsorption of Cholesterol on Carbon Powders

Carbon powders have the ability to remove cholesterol from solution by adsorption. Various combinations from among 12 different types of carbon powders （including two medical carbons）, having a wide range of surface area and porosity, were used to perform cholesterol adsorption experiments. The cholesterol concentration in a cyclohexane solvent （37 ~C, shaking 200 rpm） was detected at 215 nm using ultraviolet spectroscopy. Most adsorption occurred in the first 30 to 60 minutes. A Langmuir model was used to fit the amount of cholesterol adsorbed per gram of carbon. The medical carbon, Natural Elements Activated Charcoal, adsorbed 234 mg of cholesterol adsorption per gram of carbon. The experimental percentages of cholesterol removed from solution （maximum 98%） were correlated with nitrogen Branauer-Emmett-Teller （BET） surface areas and micro, meso, and macropore volume distributions. Surface area alone was not a suitable predictor of cholesterol adsorption. However, carbon powders exhibiting a large surface area along with significant meso and macropores were shown to be effective in adsorbing cholesterol from a nonpolar environment. Ingestion of a medically approved carbon powder with a large surface area and sufficient meso and macroporosity may be able to adsorb cholesterol in the intestinal tract and thereby lower cholesterol levels in the body.

Preparation and characterization of carbon nano-sheet powders

Carbon nanosheet films were deposited on A1 substrates by using plasma assisted chemical vapor deposition （PACVD） technique. And after being peeled off from A1 substrates, carbon nanosheet powders （CNSPs） were obtained. In Raman spectrum of carbon film, there was a strong and broadened peak at about 1,580 cm^-1, indicating a carbon diamond-like film. Atomic force microscope image showed that the carbon diamond-like film had a grain size less than 100 nm, and its surface roughness Ra was 17.95 nm in an area of 5×5 μm^2. The CNSPs were irregular sheets with curly edges and a length of several micrometers to several hundreds of micrometers. The BET surface area of CNSPs was 6.66 m^2/g with no micro-pore present, which was confirmed by N2 adsorption-desorption characterization. In the adsorption testing, when the relative pressure p/po was higher than 0.3, the adsorption behavior did not follow the Langmuir equation. The addition of CNSPs to carbon black （catalyst support） could improve hydrodesulfurization performance of carbon supported Ni-W catalysts for diesel oil.

Effect of powdered activated carbon on Chinese traditional medicine wastewater treatment in submerged membrane bioreactor with electronic control backwashing

Chinese traditional medicine wastewater, rich in macromolecule and easy to foam in aerobic biodegradation such as Glycosides, was treated by two identical bench-scale aerobic submerged membrane bioreactors （SMBRs） operated in parallel under the same feed, equipped with the same electronic control backwashing device. One was used as the control SMBR （CSMBR） while the other was dosed with powdered activated carbon （PAC） （PAC-amended SMBR, PSMBR）. The backwashing interval was 5 min. One suction period was about 90 min by adjusting preestablished backwashing vacuum and pump frequency. The average flux of CSMBR during a steady periodic state of 24 d （576 h） was 5.87 L/h with average hydraulic residence time （HRT） of 5.97 h and that of PSMBR during a steady periodic state of 30 d （720 h） was 5.85 L/h with average HRT of 5.99 h. The average total chemical oxygen demand （COD） removal efficiency of CSMBR was 89.29% with average organic loading rate （OLR） at 4.16 kg COD/（m^3.d） while that of PSMBR was 89.79% with average OLR at 5.50 kg COD/（m^3.d）. COD concentration in the effluent of both SMBRs achieved the second level of the general wastewater effluent standard GB8978-1996 for the raw medicine material industry （300 mg/L）. Hence, SMBR with electronic control backwashing was a viable process for medium-strength Chinese traditional medicine wastewater treatment. Moreover, the increasing rates of preestablished backwashing vacuum, pump frequency, and vacuum and flux loss caused by mixed liquor in PSMBR all lagged compared to those in CSMBR; thus the actual operating time of the PSMBR system without membrane cleaning was extended by up to 1.25 times in contrast with the CSMBR system, and the average total COD removal efficiency of PSMBR was enhanced with higher average OLR.

Ultrafiltration Enhanced with Activated Carbon Adsorption for Efficient Dye Removal from Aqueous Solution

In this study, orange G dye was efficiently removed from aqueous solution by ultraflltration （UF） membrane separation enhanced with activated carbon adsorption. The powdered activated carbon （PAC） was deposited onto the UF membrane surface, forming an intact filter cake. The enhanced UF process simultaneously exploited the high water permeation flux of porous membrane and the high adsorption ability of PAC toward dye molecules. The influencing factors on the dye removal were investigated. The results indicated that with sufficient PAC incorporation, the formation of intact PAC filtration cake led to nearly complete rejection for dye solution under opti-mized dye concentration and operation pressure, without large sacnticlng the permeation tlux ot the filtration process. Typically, the dye rejection ratio increased from 43.6% for single UF without adsorption to nearly 100% for the enhanced UF process, achieving long time continuous treatment with water permeation flux of 47 L·m^-2·h^-1. The present study demonstrated that adsorption enhanced UF may be a feasible method for the dye wastewater treatment.

Removal of aqueous Ni(Ⅱ) with carbonized leaf powder: Kinetics and equilibrium

Nickel is a heavy metal which has the potential threaten to human＇s health and attracts public concern recently. The carbonized leaf powder is expected as suitable adsorbent for Ni（II） removal became of the composition of some beneficial groups. In this work, carbonized leaf powder was evaluated for its adsorption performance towards Ni（II）. According to the results, adsorbent component, dosage, initial solute concentration, solution pH, temperature and contact time can significantly affect the efficiency of Ni（II） removal. Sips model fits the test results best, and the adsorption capacity towards Ni（II） is determined around 37.62 mg/g. The thermodynamic behaviors reveal the endothermic and spontaneous nature of the adsorption. The free adsorption energy （fluctuate around 8 kJ/mol） predicted by D-R model indicates that the adsorption capacity originated from both physical and chemical adsorption. Room temperature （15-25 ℃） is suitable for Ni（II） removal as well as low energy consumption for temperature enhancement. Further conclusions about the mechanism of chemical adsorption are obtained through analysis of the FT-IR test and XRD spectra, which indicates that the adsorption process occurs predominantly between amine, carbonate, phosphate and nickel ions.

In situ grown nanoscale platinum on carbon powder as catalyst layer in proton exchange membrane fuel cells(PEMFCs)

An extensive study has been conducted on the proton exchange membrane fuel cells （PEMFCs） with reducing Pt loading. This is commonly achieved by developing methods to increase the utilization of the platinum in the catalyst layer of the electrodes. In this paper, a novel process of the catalyst layers was introduced and investigated. A mixture of carbon powder and Nafion solution was sprayed on the glassy carbon electrode （GCE） to form a thin carbon layer. Then Pt particles were deposited on the surface by reducing hexachloroplatinic （IV） acid hexahydrate with methanoic acid. SEM images showed a continuous Pt gradient profile among the thickness direction of the catalytic layer by the novel method. The Pt nanowires grown are in the size of 3 nm （diameter） x l0 nm （length） by high solution TEM image. The novel catalyst layer was characterized by cyclic voltammetry （CV） and scanning electron microscope （SEM） as compared with commercial Pt/C black and Pt catalyst layer obtained from sputtering. The results showed that the platinum nanoparticles deposited on the carbon powder were highly utilized as they directly faced the gas diffusion layer and offered easy access to reactants （oxygen or hydrogen）.

Enhanced Adsorption of Pb(II) Ions from Aqueous Solution by Persimmon Tannin-activated Carbon Composites

The modification of activated carbon with persimmon tannin and its application for the removal of Pb（II） ions were carried out by batch method. The effects of solution pH, contact time, temperature and initial concentration on the immobilization of persimmon tannin were studied. The experimental results showed that the experimental data of persimmon tannin and Pb（II） fitted better by Langrnuir adsorption isotherm model and pseudo-second order model. The adsorption capacities of adsorbents for persimmon tannin and Pb（II） were calculated from the Langmuir isotherm model, and found to be 42.97 and 12.40 mg/g at optimum pH, respectively. It was noted that the adsorbent exhibited the best adsorption property for Pb（lI） when 1.0 g activated carbon was modified by 17.32 mg persimmon tannin. The modified activated carbon is more effective than the plain activated carbon, and it is expected to be an economic and effective adsorbent for the disposal of wastewater containing Pb（II） ions.

Adsorption of residual amine collector HAY from aqueous solution by refined carbon from coal fly ash and activated carbon

Refined carbon(RC) derived from coal fly ash(CFA) as well as powdered activated carbon(PAC) was investigated as adsorbent to remove residual amine collector HAY from aqueous solution.The RC and PAC were characterized by scanning electron microscopy(SEM),surface area measurement,Zeta potential measurement and Fourier transform infrared(FTIR) spectroscopy.The effect factors and mechanisms of HAY adsorption onto RC and PAC were studied in detail.The results show that the experimental kinetic data agree well with the pseudo second-order equation,and the Langmuir isotherm model is found to be more appropriate to explicate the experimental equilibrium isotherm results than the Freundlich model.The adsorption capacities of PAC and RC increase with pH.It is found that alkaline condition is conducive to the adsorption of HAY onto PAC and RC and the adsorption efficiency of RC is close to PAC at pH near 11.Zeta potential variation of adsorbents suggests that HAY generates electrostatic adsorption onto RC and PAC.FTIR analysis shows that the adsorption is dominantly of a physical process.The Box-Behnken design optimization conditions of process are RC 1 g/L,pH 11,temperature 302 K and initial HAY concentration 100 mg/L.Under these conditions,the measured adsorption ratio and adsorption capacity are 87.91%and 87.91 mg/g,respectively.Thus,the RC is considered to be a potential adsorbent for the removal of residual amine from aqueous solution.

Synthesis of Cordierite by Decomposition of Metal Nitrates on the Surface of Carbon Black Powder

Cordierite precursor was obtained through a process, which involved the decomposition of metal nitrates on the surface of ultrafine carbon black powder between 100-300℃ and the gasification of the carbon black at higher temperature in air. The average size of the particles, which were heat-treated at 700℃ for 10h, is about 1020nm, and the specific surface area is about 129m 2/g. The experimental results show that the ultrafine particles of cordierite precursor can be produced by this process. The precursor powder was calcined at different temperatures. X-ray diffraction examination indicates that β-quartz is crystallized from the amorphous matrix around 850℃ firstly and then MgO-Al 2O 3 spinel and α-cordierite appears. Above 1000℃, MgO-Al 2O 3 spinel and cristobalite disappear gradually and form an intermediate phase (sapphirine). At around 1300℃, the main phase is α-cordierite, and no other phase is detected.

Fast adsorption of microcystin-LR by Fe(Ⅲ)-modified powdered activated carbon

Microcystins(MCs) are cyclic hepatotoxic peptides produced by the bloom-forming cyanobacterium Microcystis and present a public health hazard to humans and livestock. The removal of MCs from contaminated water with powdered activated carbon(PAC) has been employed as a simple and economic treatment strategy. In this study, PAC-Fe(Ⅲ) was prepared and utilized for the fast and efficient removal of MCs from water. PAC-Fe(Ⅲ) exhibited superior microcystin-LR(MC-LR) removal capacity and efficiency compared to the unmodified PAC. The MC-LR removal efficiency of PAC-Fe(Ⅲ) increased with decreasing p H within the pH range of 4.3 to 9.6. PAC-Fe(Ⅲ) could be reused for 3 times by methanol elution while the MC-LR removal efficiency was still over 70 percent. The removal efficiency was positively correlated to the ionic strength of water and negatively correlated to alkalinity. Natural organic matter(NOM) such as humic acid(HA) and salicylic acid(SA) generated low interference with MC-LR adsorption by PAC-Fe(Ⅲ). The complexation reaction between Fe^(3+) in PAC-Fe(Ⅲ) and the functional groups of MCLR was suggested as the key mechanism of MC-LR removal by PAC-Fe(Ⅲ). The results suggest that Femodified PAC is a promising material for the treatment of MC-contaminated waters.

Study on Regeneration of Powdered Activated Carbon by Electron Beam

The powdered activated carbon which had adsorbed phenylglycine solution from pharmaceutics factory can be regenerated by mean of irradiation of high-energy electron beams in oxygen, nitrogen and water vapor respectively. The effects of radiation dose and beam current on regeneration of activated carbon in different atmosphere were studied. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and the iodine number of activated carbon were used to monitor the change of carbon adsorption. The results show that the powder activated carbon polluted with phenlglycine could be regenerated effectively by irradiation of high energy electron beams in nitrogen stream. The generation did not need high temperature, and the weight loss of carbon and energy consumption were minimum.

Pilot Study on Powder Active Carbon / Flotation/Microflocculation / Ultrafiltration Combined Process for Treatment of Reservoir Water

[Objective] The study aimed to discover the effects of powder active carbon（ PAC） /flotation /micro-flocculation /ultrafiltration combined process on the treatment of reservoir water. [Method]Taken the water from a mountainous reservoir for the initial samples,the parameters such as turbidity,COD Mn,chlorophyll-a and methylisobormeol（ MIB） of water samples were monitored before and after treated with combined processes of micro-flocculation /ultrafiltration, flotation /micro-flocculation /ultrafiltration, PAC /flotation /micro-flocculation /ultrafiltration. [Result] The results showed that the removal rates of turbidity of water samples by the above three processes were 97. 5%,98. 0% and 98. 6%,respectively. The removal rates of COD Mn were 30. 9%,35. 0% and 52. 0%. The removal rates of chlorophyll-a were 80. 6%,91. 0% and 99. 0%. The removal rates of MIB were 17. 0%,34. 2% and 97. 0%. [Conclusion]The PAC /flotation /micro-flocculation ultrafiltration combined process can be flexibly combined based on the characteristics of algae and odor in water,and is suitable for water plant construction or reconstruction.

Adsorption Characteristics of the Powdered Activated Carbon on Pesticide in the Water

The adsorption characteristics of the powdered activated carbon on four kinds of pesticides （ dichlorvos, chlorothalonil, lindane and chlorphyrifos） were studied, and the influential factors of adsorption effect were discussed. Results showed that the powdered activated carbon could effectively remove the above four kinds of pesticides. It was rapid adsorption period before 30 min, and removal rate has reached 90%. Adsorption kinetics of the powdered activated carbon on pesticides corresponded with quasi-two-level kinetic equation, and both Freundlich and Langmuir adsorption isotherms could simulate the adsorption process of the activated carbon on pesticide well. Competitive adsorption between small-molecule organics in the water diverting from Yellow River and Desticides on microDore of the activated carbon would occur.

Drinking water production by uitrafiltration of Songhuajiang River with PAC adsorption

In recent years, membrane ultrafiltration （UF） of surface water for drinking water treatment has become a more attractive technology worldwide as a possible alternative treatment to conventional clarification. To evaluate the performance of ultrafiltration membranes for treatment of surface water in North China, a 48-m^2 low pressure hollow fiber membrane ultrafiltration pilot plant was constructed. Ultrafiltration was operated in cross-flow and with powdered activated carbon （PAC） adsorption. Turbidity was almost completely removed to less than 0.2 NTU （below Chinese standard 1 NTU）. It was found that PAC addition enhanced organic matter removal. The combined process of PAC/UF allowed to 41% removal of CODMn, 46% removal of DOC and 57% decrease in UV254 absorbance. The elimination of particles, from average 12000/ml in the raw water to approximately 15/ml in the permeated, was observed. When PAC concentration was below 30 mg/L, backwashing could recovery the membrane flux with backwash interval/backwashing duration of 1/30.

Uptake of copper ion by activated sludge and its bacterial community variation analyzed by 16S rDNA

The effect and uptake of copper ion on SBR(sequence batch reactor) biological treatment system was studied. Special nutrient and powder activated carbon(PAC) additive were tested as uptake stimulation technique. Results showed that copper ion had higher effect on unacclimated activated sludge system than on acclimated one. The special nutrient adding could enhance the uptake of copper significantly, while PAC adding could improve the sludge settling and decrease the turbidity of effluent. The variation of bacterial community analyzed by 16S rDNA method showed the acclimation of copper could increase copper resistance species, and excess accumulation could cause some species diminish. It was confirmed that acclimation could improve the resistance and uptake ability of microorganism to heavy metal.

Comparative study on the removal technologies of 2-methylisoborneol(MIB) in drinking water

Removal of 2-methylisoborneol （MIB） in drinking water by ozone, powdered activated carbon （PAC）, potassium permanganate and potassium ferrate was investigated. The adsorption kinetics of MIB by both wood-based and coat-based PACs show that main removal of MIB occurs within contact time of 1 h. Compared with the wood-based PAC, the coat-based PAC evidently improved the removal efficiency of MIB. The removal percentage of trace MIB at any given time for a particular carbon dosage was irrelative to the initial concentration of MIB. A series of experiments were performed to determine the effect of pH on the ozonation of MIB. The results show that pH has a significant effect on the ozonation of MIB. It is conclusive that potassium permanganate and potassium ferrate are ineffective in removing the MIB in drinking water.

Solid-phase Decarburization Kinetics of High-carbon Ferromanganese Powders by Microwave Heating

Solid-phase decarburization of high-carbon ferromanganese powders （HCFPs） was conducted using calcium carbonate powders （CCPs） as a decarburizer by microwave heating. Solid-phase decarburization kinelSics was investi- gated by isothermal method. The results show that the HCFPs show excellent microwave absorption at a higher av- erage heating rate of 80 ℃/min, while CCPs exhibit poor microwave absorption at a lower heating rate of 5--20 ℃/min; the heating characteristics are in-between when HCFPs and CCPs are mixed. The average heating rates of the mix- ture are 32.14, 31.25, 31.43, and 30.77 ℃/rain when the mixture is heated up to 900, 1000, 1100, and 1200 ℃, respectively. The good microwave absorption property of the mixed material lays the foundation for the solid-phase decarburization of HCFPs containing CCPs. Solid-phase decarburization of HCFPs containing CCPs is a first-order reaction by microwave heating. Apparent activation energy of solid-phase decarburization is 55.07 kJ/mol, which is far less than that of ordinary carbon gasification reaction and that of solid-phase decarburization under the same de- carburization condition by conventional heating. It indicates that microwave heating not only produces thermal effect, but also has non-thermal effect.

Micro-Polluted Surface Water Treatment by PAC-MBR Process

A kind of hybrid membrane process, which integrated powdered activated carbon (PAC) with membrane bioreactor (MBR), was designed for bench scale experiment for micro-polluted surface water treatment. Molecular weight analysis was used to evaluate the efficiency of each unit process and the integration of them. The result of analysis indicated that organic molecules in the treated water from PAC-MBR process were concentrated on the section of below 1000, while PAC adsorption could enhance the removal efficiency of this section due to the high percent of biodegradation recalcitrant organic matter with low molecular weight. It was demonstrated that PAC adsorption and biological treatment promoted each other in PAC-MBR process, with a removal efficiency of 70% for COD Mn and UV 254, 100% for UV 410 and 92% for ammonia nitrogen in its stable stage.

Influence of hydraulic retention time on efficiencies of high concentration PAC-MF bioreactor treating slightly polluted surface water

In this study,the influence of hydraulic retention time on feasibility,efficiency and membrane foul- ing of slightly polluted surface water treatment by a high concentration PAC-MF bioreactor were investigated. During three months operation,TOC,NH4 + -N,nitrobenzene,and TMP were measured to evaluate the MBR performance. The results show that,when HRT reduces from 3 h to 1 h,removal efficiency of TOC and ammonia-nitrite decrease a little. However,there is little effect of HRT on nitrobenzene. And the optimal hydraulic retention time is 1 h.