Ranking Of Adsorbents Based On Method Of Preparation And Freundlich Isotherm

A number of novel adsorbents are being investigated in search of an alternative to Commercial Activated Carbon (CAC). Several methodologies are being followed in the preparation of adsorbents from their raw materials. The raw materials used for the preparation of novel adsorbents are broadly classified under three main categories: (i) Agricultural Wastes (AW) (ii) Industrial Wastes (IW) and (iii) Mineral Wastes (MW). The adsorbent preparation methodologies are also categorized based on the primary activities involved in the preparation. Data available in literature is collected and segregated for the above categorization. This database is analyzed to study the effects of (i) raw material of adsorbent and (ii) adsorbent preparation methodology, based on the corresponding Freundlich isotherm constants. Results indicated that, 75.2% of the database comprises of materials based on cheaply available AW and the adsorbents developed from AW are showing better results of adsorption than the other two categories viz., IW & MW. Physical Treatment (P) & Nominal Treatment (N) categories of adsorbent preparation account to 39.59% of the available database. The results obtained from Chemical-Thermal Treatment (CT) and Chemical Treatment (C) categories of adsorbent preparation are better than that of P & N categories. The Freundlich constants available for CAC are also