Name_______________________________ 10-6-2016

Adsorption of Acetic Acid with Activated Carbon

Experiment 6

Objective
To study the effects of activated carbon in absorption processes and to determine the
maximum amount of adsorption (qmax)

Introduction
Sorption refers to the action of either absorption or adsorption. It is the effect of gases or
liquids being incorporated into a material of a different state and adhering to the surface of
another molecule.
Sorption processes are very important in the fate and transport of contaminants in the
environment and also in the removal of contaminant, usually with the use of reactors, for the
following removal purposes:
 Removal of color from dye mill wastewater
 Removal of surface activate reagents from water
 Removal of total organic carbon from industrial wastewater
 Removal of taste or odor constituents, or both, from the potable water

Absorption is the incorporation of a substance in one state into another of a different state
(e.g. liquids being absorbed by a solid or gases being absorbed by a liquid). Adsorption is the
physical adherence or bonding of ions and molecules onto the surface of another molecule or in
another word adsorption is a surface phenomenon in which the rate and the extent of adsorption
are functions of the surface area of the solids used.

Activated carbon is a generally made from a wood product or coal by heating to

temperatures between 300-1000oC in one of a variety of possible gaseous atmosphere such as
CO2, air or water vapor, and then by rapid quenchening in the air or water. Activated carbon is a
material with an exceptionally high surface area of approximately 500 m2 in 1 gram due to a
high degree of microporosity. Sufficient activation for useful applications may come solely from
the high surface area, though often further chemical treatment is used to enhance the absorbing
properties of the material.
In this experiment Langmuir Isotherm plot will be used to estimate the maximum amount of
adsorption (qmax).
Langmuir Isotherm relates the coverage or adsorption of molecules on a solid surface to gas
pressure or concentration of a medium above the solid surface at a fixed temperature. Langmuir
Isotherm assumes that a single adsorbate binds to a single site of the adsorbent, and that all
surface sites on the adsorbent have the same affinity for the adsorbate.
Langmuir Isotherm equation was developed by Irving Langmuir in 1916 and it states that:
Langmuir
𝑏𝐶
𝑞 = 𝑞𝑚𝑎𝑥 ×
1+𝑏𝐶

Where When C is the concentration of contaminant in the liquid after adsorption (molar or
mg/l)
q is the mass of sorbed molecules per mass of sorbent (mole or mg per gram
sorbent)
b = Langmuir equilibrium constant
qmax = maximum adsorbed amount, mol/g

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 In order to calculate the amount adsorbed, q, the equation below can be used:

q = (Co-C) V/ m
where,
q = amount adsorbed, mmol/g of activated sludge carbon, mol/g
Co = aqueous concentration before adsorption, mol/L
C = aqueous concentration after adsorption, mol/L
m = weight of activated carbon, g
V = volume of sample, L

Figure 1 below show the Langmuir Isotherm plot (which can be later used to estimate qmax or
Ƭmax)
In the above graph;

 Region I represents the free adsorbent surface. In this region, adsorption increase
with increase in the concentration of aqueous solution after adsorption.
 Region II indicates that the most of the adsorption surfaces are full. In this region,
adsorption increased non-linearly with increase in the concentration of aqueous
solution.
 Region III indicates that all the adsorption surfaces are full. In this region, rate of
adsorption neither decrease nor increase with increase in the concentration of
aqueous solution.

Reagents
 Acetic acid solution with concentration of 1N.
 Activated carbon
 Aqueous sodium hydroxide solution (0.1N)
 Phenolpthalein indicator

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Procedures
1) Dilute 1N acetic acid to 0.8, 0.4, 0.2, 0.1, 0.05 and 0.025 N. The final volume of each
concentration is 100 ml.
2) Transfer about 50.00 ml of different concentrations of diluted acetic acid solution into a
clean 250 ml Erlenmyer flask. Prepare a series of each solution and name one series,
set I.
3) Transfer different volume (ml) of different concentrations of diluted acetic acid solution
into a clean 250 ml Erlenmyer flask. Prepare a series of each solution and name one
series, set II.
4) Measure 1.0000 g activated carbon and transfer to set I of solutions. Stoppers the flasks
and place them in the shaker, shaking for 1.5 hours at 150 rpm.
5) For set II, measure the indicated volumes (Vo) of each sample solution and dilute the
rest with DI water to 50 ml in a clean, labeled Erlenmyer flask.
6) Titrate the prepared solutions in step 3 against NaOH solution (0.1N) in order to detect
the precise concentration of acetic acid solution in each flask (Co). Make sure to add
three drops of the phenolphthalein indicator before you start the titration. As you reach
the end point the color of the colorless solution will turn pale pink.
7) Record the volume of the NaOH solution use (V) at the end point in the provide table.
8) Filter the solutions in set I and transfer them to clean, labeled 250 ml Erlenmyer flasks.
9) Follow step 3 and 4 above in order to detect the precise concentration of acetic acid
solution in each flask (C).

Results
Table 1 Dilution of acetic acid

Initial Volume of Target Volume of initial Volume of water

concentration of target acetic concentration of acetic acid added (mL)
acetic acid (N) acid (mL) acetic acid (N) required (mL)
1.00 N

1.00 N

1.00 N

1.00 N

1.00 N

1.00 N

1.00 N

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Table 2 Acetic acid concentration before adsorption

A Standard NaOH titrant concentration ______________________ N

Labeled acetic Volume of Initial read of Final read of Volume of Actual

acid acetic acid NaOH titrant NaOH titrant NaOH titrant concentration
concentration used (mL)-in (mL) (mL) used (mL) of acetic acid
(N) flask (Co; N)
0.8 5.00

0.4 5.00

0.2 5.00

0.1 10.00

0.05 10.00

0.025 15.00

Table 3 Acetic acid concentration after adsorption

A Standard NaOH titrant concentration ______________________ N

Labeled acetic Volume of Initial read of Final read of Volume of Actual

acid acetic acid NaOH titrant NaOH titrant NaOH titrant concentration
concentration used (mL)-in (mL) (mL) used (mL) of acetic acid
(N) flask (C; N)
0.8 5.00

0.4 5.00

0.2 5.00

0.1 10.00

0.05 10.00

0.025 20.00

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Table 4 Adsorption of acetic acid using activated carbon

Remark: molar concentration and normal concentration of acetic acid are the same.

Diluted acetic V0 (ml) Co(mol/l) C (mol/l) Actual Amount of q(mol/g)

acid Volume of Actual concentration concentration of activated
concentration acetic acid of acetic acid before acetic acid after carbon used
(N) in a/c flask adsorption adsorption (g)
0.8

0.4

0.2

0.1

0.05

0.025

Graph

1. Only one graph required for this lab plot a graph of actual acetic acid concentration before
adsorption (x-axis) and the amount of adsorption (q)-y axis
2. Label three regions as indication in Figure 1
3. Determine the maximum amount of adsorption (qmax) on the graph.

Calculation (show only one example each)

1. Compute how to dilute sample.
2. Determine the actual concentration of acetic acid from the titration of set I and II (Table 1
and 2).
3. Calculate q for each concentration (Table 3).
4. Construct the Langmuir Isotherm plot and label all the regions on the graph.
5. Estimate the maximum adsorbed amount (qmax) in mol/g.

Discussion (Paragraph/essay format)

Use these questions as guideline to discuss. Try to answer each question first. Then, make it as
essay. No pronouns (only “we” allowed). Use conjunction. Use formal English. Change
active/passive when appropriate.

1. Do you observe adsorption or absorption in this lab? Why?/How do you know? Explain.
2. Why acetic acid can be removed using activated carbon?
3. The acetic acid removal using activated carbon in this lab followed which isotherm? How do
you know?
4. What is your the maximum amount of adsorption in this study (qmax)?
5. What cause the qmax graph to have a shape indicate in Figure 1? (more than one factors).
You can explain based upon the region I, II and III in Figure 1.
6. Do you agree that the qmax will be changed if other contaminants removed in water? Why?
7. If a contaminant is easily to get adsorb by activated carbon, how would region I, II and III in
Figure 1 will change?

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8. Do you think in environmental engineering, higher qmax is better than lower qmax when we
exempt to remove contaminants in water using adsorption? Why?
9. State your errors.

Conclusion
When preparing conclusion, it must be SHORT.
Don’t explain how you do the experiment.
Don’t write new things.
Don’t put error.
Read the objectives and report/answers the objectives. You can use information from results
and discussion to complete the conclusion section.