Determining the Optimum Parameters of Phenol Removal from Industrial Effluents by Using Ostrich Feathers

Abstract

Backgrounds and Objectives: Phenol is one of the organic pollutants that is found in industrial effluents and is very toxic for human and environment. This study proposes the use of ostrich feathers as a natural source of active amino acids to remove phenol from aqueous solution. Materials and Methods: For this study, ostrich feather has been used as a synthetic adsorbent in removal of phenol in different doses 0.2, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 1, 1.5 g/100 ml. Besides, the effects of changing contact time, pH, adsorbent dose and temperature has been determined. Description of adsorption Freundlich isotherm has also been accomplished and Excel software for analyzing the data was used. Results: The result obtained revealed that by increasing the dosage of the sorbent from 0.2 g to 0.7 g the adsorption increases. The adsorption of phenol decreases by the increase of the pH value of the solution. In addition, it is observed that the contact time significantly affect the rate of phenol adsorption (70%) from solution. Conclusion: Generally, the adsorbent was applied successfully for treating industrial water samples and aqueous solution.

Keywords

• amino acids
• ostrich feather
• adsorbent
• phenol.