Removal of phenol from aqueous solutions using raw and modified Syrian natural bentonite

Abstract

In this study, the Syrian natural bentonite ore from Tel Rifaat area in Aleppo governorate was used as a solid phase to remove Phenol (C6H5OH) from aqueous solutions. Effect of the contact time (t), Particle size (Vs) and Solution pH value were studied. It was found that both removal quantity and removal ratio increase with increasing contact time from (1 min) up to balance time (150 min) after this value, we notice Decreasing both removal quantity and removal ratio. Experiments showed that the removal quantity and removal ratio increase with decreasing the Particle size of the solid phase from the range (1-2) mm until reaching the highest amount of removal using the particle size within the range less than (53) micrometers. Removal quantity and removal ratio increase with increasing the (pH) value of the solution until rang (4-6), after this rang, phenol begin turning to the negative phenoxide, resulting in a very low removal quantity and removal ratio. When we use the surface modification process using HDTMA-Br, the removal quantity and removal ratio of phenol increase approximately six times.