Adsorption of remazol reactive black B on different types of activated carbon: Adsorption on H and L carbon

Five types of activated carbon were tested to adsorb Remazol Reactive Black B, which is a problematic dye pollutant. The equilibrium adsorption isothe rm results showed that three of these carbons, F-400, C207 and EA207, have a high capacity (278, 109 and 96 mg dye/g carbon, respectively). On the oth er hand, Centaur and Chilean coal had no affinity toward Reactive Black. H and OH- capacity, pH(ZPC) and pH(solution) were determined for all the car bons. According to the chemical behaviour, the carbons were categorised as H and L carbons. The carbons with high capacity were of H type, while the i neffective two carbons can be described as L type carbon. The effective car bons showed high pH(ZPC) compared to the ineffective carbons. The adsorptio n behaviour and the differences in the effectiveness of the carbons for Rea ctive Black adsorption were attributed to the surface charge developed on t he carbon particles at the equilibrium pH. Surface area, iodine value, bulk density and ash content were found to have no relation to the adsorptive c apacity.