Mass Transfer Effect in the Treatment of Water polluted by Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (Naphthalene, Anthracene, Phenanthrene, and Quinoline)

The study investigates the mass transfer effects in the treatment of water contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), focusing on naphthalene, anthracene, phenanthrene, and quinoline. These organic pollutants, derived from industrial processes and incomplete combustion of organic materials, are of significant environmental and health concern due to their persistence and toxicity. The research explores the adsorption of PAHs using zeolite as an adsorbent in batch experiments, analyzing external and internal diffusion mechanisms. Key findings indicate that external diffusion is the primary rate-limiting step in the sorption process. Various mass transfer models, including Fickian and non-Fickian diffusion models were applied to predict adsorption kinetics. The Biot number calculations suggest that external film diffusion predominantly controls the adsorption of phenanthrene, whereas internal diffusion dominates for naphthalene, anthracene, and quinoline. Furthermore, isotherm studies using Langmuir, Freundlich, and Redlich-Peterson models reveal that monolayer adsorption on a homogeneous surface best describes the adsorption of phenanthrene, anthracene, and quinoline, while naphthalene adsorption follows a more complex mechanism. The results provide valuable insights for optimizing adsorption processes in water treatment, highlighting the potential of Zeolite as an efficient and cost-effective adsorbent for PAH remediation. These findings contribute to the development of sustainable solutions for reducing PAH contamination and protecting environmental and human health.