Phenol adsorption by activated carbon of different fibre size derived from empty fruit bunches

The capacity of empty fruit bunch-based activated carbon for phenol adsorption was studied. Four different particle sizes of activated carbon (AC) (unsieved, > 2, 0.355-1.0 and < 0.15 mm mesh number) were produced by the activation of prepared charcoal with CO₂. Activated carbon with particle size greater than 2 mm demonstrated the highest percentage of phenol adsorption. The performance of this activated carbon in phenol removal was better than commercially available activated carbon with an adsorption capacity of the AC sample and the commercial AC at equilibrium time amounting to 73% and 68%, respectively. The experimental data were analysed using the Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption models. The kinetics of adsorption were well described by a pseudo-second order model, whilst the adsorption equilibrium was best represented by the Langmuir isotherm model.