Adsorption removal of benzalkonium chloride by granular activated carbon for medical waste water treatment.

The adsorption removal of benzalkonium chloride disinfectant by granular activated carbon is discussed. The adsorption isotherm of benzalkonium chloride was expressed by the Freundlich equation. A significant correlation was found between the amount of benzalkonium chloride adsorbed in less than 1000 ppm of equilibrium concentration and the micropore volume of activated carbon. As for the adsorption rate, a change in intraparticle diffusiveness was found with increasing adsorption ratio. No significant correlation between the values of intraparticle diffusiveness and the properties of activated carbon was found. It was concluded that the micropore volume of activated carbon was the dominant factor in the adsorption removal of benzalkonium chloride by granular activated carbon.