Powdered Activated Carbon Separation from Water by Foam Flotation

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Abstract
Powdered activated carbon was separated from dilute aqueous suspensions (200–1000 mg/L) by foam flotation using surfactants (anionic or cationic). The effects of surfactant type, pH value of the suspension, initial carbon and surfactant concentrations, flotation time, and air flow rate on the dispersed-air flotation of powdered activation carbon were investigated. In optimum conditions the powdered activated carbon separation was almost complete. The ζ-potential of powdered activated carbon was also measured in the presence and absence of surfactants. Finally, carbon flotation was examined after the carbon had adsorbed chromate ions from an acidic solution (pH 2). Almost complete separation of Cr(VI)-loaded carbon was obtained by using an anionic surfactant.