Treating MTBE-contaminated water using sewage sludge-derived activated carbon

Abstract

In this study, sewage sludge-derived activated carbon (SDAC) was synthesized, characterized, and tested for its potential as an adsorbent of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE). The SDAC was produced by activating the sludge with zinc chloride and subsequently subjected to various ranges of pyrolytic temperatures. It was then characterized using SEM/EDX, BET, and TGA. The SEM-EDX analyses showed that impurities like Fe, Al, Mg, Mn, Ca, and Na of the raw sludge were removed by the higher pyrolytic temperature and acid-washing procedures. TGA showed the thermal stability of the produced material. Results of the BET revealed a significant increase in surface area of the sludge from 1.5 m²/g to 385 m²/g after acid washing. The MTBE removal efficiency of 70% was achieved after 60 min with 2 g/L of SDAC at pH 6, and initial MTBE concentration of 1 ppm. The adsorption kinetics of SDAC fitted into pseudo-second-order reactions. This work demonstrated a beneficial use of a bio-waste material (sewage sludge) in water treatment technologies.