Abstract
In this study, we investigated the use of ultraviolet irradiation as a pretreatment process and its effect on the adsorption characteristics of saccharin onto activated carbon. Ultraviolet irradiation of saccharin was performed under air atmosphere before activated carbon adsorption. Adsorption was carried out by adding a known amount of commercial activated carbon into a known volume of saccharin solution in flasks. The flasks were placed in a thermostat shaker and were agitated at 298 K. For the kinetic studies, agitation was done for a time range of 0.5 to 17 hours. For the equilibrium studies, agitation was done for a predetermined time of 16 h to assure equilibrium. The behavior of TOC (total organic carbon) was investigated. Results of the equilibrium experiments showed an adsorption capacity of 43 mg/g-AC. TOC removal of 26 % and 37 % were obtained after 3 h of ultraviolet irradiation and after 16 h of adsorption of saccharin without ultraviolet pretreatment, respectively. The TOC removal increased to 73 % after 16 h of adsorption of saccharin pretreated by ultraviolet irradiation. Saccharin removal of 43 % was obtained at equilibrium by activated carbon adsorption alone and increased to almost 100 % after 16 h of adsorption of saccharin pretreated by ultraviolet irradiation.
