Modified cellulose fibres for adsorption of organic compound in aqueous solution

This paper presents the results of an experimental study of removal of organic contaminant from wastewater using chemically modified cellulose fibres. The adsorption capacities of the modified fibres towards various organic molecules were investigated. The ensuing modified fibres appeared to be efficient absorbent for different dissolved organic molecules in water. The recycling tests revealed that the exhausted substrates could be regenerated without loosing their capacity. The adsorption isotherm related to different solutes follows the Langmuir model in entire range of concentration. To confirm the possibility of using the modified cellulose fibres as a sorbent for the removal of dissolved organic pollutant, adsorption breakthrough curves were established under different operating condition such as concentration, flow rate and the column length. The main advantage of this substrate lies in its relative facile regeneration without a significant loss of its adsorption capacity. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.