TRAPPING OF AROMATIC-COMPOUNDS BY ADSORPTION ON HYDROPHOBIC SORBENTS

Trapping by adsorption on hydrophobic porous polymers was the selected method for removing aromatic compounds from aqueous diluted medium. T he study was done with four aromatic compounds which are often found i n foods and which play a role in organoleptic qualities at low concent rations: ethyl acetate, 2,5-dimethylpyrazine, 1-octen 3-ol, and gamma- decalactone. Several sorbents were tested: activated carbon and three porous polystyren-type polymers (Porapak Q, Chromosorb 105, and Amberl ite XAD-4). Kinetic and equilibrium sorptions were investigated. The a dsorption isotherms were determined for the four aromatic and all the adsorbents, and equilibrium data were correlated with a Freundlich or a Langmuir-type of isotherm equation. Kinetic experimental results wer e simulated for 1-octen 3-ol using an internal-external mass transfer resistance model. Good agreement was observed for the diffusion coeffi cient in the sorbent in the range of 10(-8) cm(2) . s(-1).