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Removal of Phenolic Compounds from Water Using Sewage Sludge-Based Activated Carbon Adsorption: A Review

Author

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  • Nuhu Dalhat Mu’azu

    (Environmental Engineering Department, University of Dammam, Dammam 31451, Saudi Arabia)

  • Nabeel Jarrah

    (Environmental Engineering Department, University of Dammam, Dammam 31451, Saudi Arabia
    Chemical Engineering Department, Mutah University, Karak 61710, Jordan)

  • Mukarram Zubair

    (Environmental Engineering Department, University of Dammam, Dammam 31451, Saudi Arabia)

  • Omar Alagha

    (Environmental Engineering Department, University of Dammam, Dammam 31451, Saudi Arabia)

Abstract

Due to their industrial relevance, phenolic compounds (PC) are amongst the most common organic pollutants found in many industrial wastewater effluents. The potential detrimental health and environmental impacts of PC necessitate their removal from wastewater to meet regulatory discharge standards to ensure meeting sustainable development goals. In recent decades, one of the promising, cost-effective and environmentally benign techniques for removal of PC from water streams has been adsorption onto sewage sludge (SS)-based activated carbon (SBAC). This is attributed to the excellent adsorptive characteristics of SBAC and also because the approach serves as a strategy for sustainable management of huge quantities of different types of SS that are in continual production globally. This paper reviews conversion of SS into activated carbons and their utilization for the removal of PC from water streams. Wide ranges of topics which include SBAC production processes, physicochemical characteristics of SBAC, factors affecting PC adsorption onto SBAC and their uptake mechanisms as well as the regeneration potential of spent SBAC are covered. Although chemical activation techniques produce better SBAC, yet more research work is needed to harness advances in material science to improve the functional groups and textural properties of SBAC as well as the low performance of physical activation methods. Studies focusing on PC adsorptive performance on SBAC using continuous mode (that are more relevant for industrial applications) in both single and multi-pollutant aqueous systems to cover wide range of PC are needed. Also, the potentials of different techniques for regeneration of spent SBAC used for adsorption of PC need to be assessed in relation to overall economic evaluation within realm of environmental sustainability using life cycle assessment.

Suggested Citation

  • Nuhu Dalhat Mu’azu & Nabeel Jarrah & Mukarram Zubair & Omar Alagha, 2017. "Removal of Phenolic Compounds from Water Using Sewage Sludge-Based Activated Carbon Adsorption: A Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-34, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:14:y:2017:i:10:p:1094-:d:112672
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Fytili, D. & Zabaniotou, A., 2008. "Utilization of sewage sludge in EU application of old and new methods--A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 12(1), pages 116-140, January.
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    2. Hoan Thi Lai & Chinh Van Tran & Nga Thuy Tran & Phuong Hien Ho & Van Huyen Luu & Ha Manh Nguyen & Hoai Phuong Thi Nguyen & Dinh Duc Nguyen & Duong Duc La, 2025. "Sustainable Removal of Phenol from Aqueous Media by Activated Carbon Valorized from Polyethyleneterephthalate (PET) Plastic Waste," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-15, January.
    3. Omar Alagha & Ahmed Allazem & Alaadin A. Bukhari & Ismail Anil & Nuhu Dalhat Mu'azu, 2020. "Suitability of SBR for Wastewater Treatment and Reuse: Pilot-Scale Reactor Operated in Different Anoxic Conditions," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-13, March.
    4. Katarzyna Wystalska & Anna Grosser, 2024. "Sewage Sludge-Derived Biochar and Its Potential for Removal of Ammonium Nitrogen and Phosphorus from Filtrate Generated during Dewatering of Digested Sludge," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(6), pages 1-19, March.
    5. Li Liu & Shisuo Fan & Yang Li, 2018. "Removal Behavior of Methylene Blue from Aqueous Solution by Tea Waste: Kinetics, Isotherms and Mechanism," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-16, June.
    6. Asmat Ali & Maria Siddique & Wei Chen & Zhixin Han & Romana Khan & Muhammad Bilal & Ummara Waheed & Irum Shahzadi, 2022. "Promising Low-Cost Adsorbent from Waste Green Tea Leaves for Phenol Removal in Aqueous Solution," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-15, May.
    7. Zongliang Zuo & Tian Jing & Jinmeng Wang & Xinjiang Dong & Yishan Chen & Siyi Luo & Weiwei Zhang, 2022. "Sludge Gasification Using Iron Bearing Metallurgical Slag as Heat Carrier: Characteristics and Kinetics," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(23), pages 1-15, December.

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