A process for the removal of two chlorophenols (2-chlorophenol and 2,4-dichlorophenol) from water using surface modified mango seed waste by adsorption process followed by cement fixation of the phenols-laden adsorbent is investigated. The two main objectives of this study were to develop efficient adsorbent utilizing mango seed waste by physiochemical activation and to an environmentally-friendly disposal of phenols-laden adsorbent into cement by a fixation process. The results of the present study reveal that the modified mango seed adsorbent showed an efficient adsorption potential for chlorophenols removal from water. The maximum adsorption potential of modified mango seed adsorbent for 2-chlorophenol and 2,4-dichlorophenol was 40.6 and 72.3 mg g−1, respectively at 25°C. Adsorption kinetic data of chlorophenols adsorption on mango seed adsorbent could be described more favorably by a pseudo-second-order kinetic model. After the adsorption studies, the phenol-laden adsorbent was immobilized in cement for its ultimate disposal. Leachates from the fixed phenols-laden adsorbent exhibit phenols concentrations lower than the drinking water standards. Results from this study suggest the potential utility of agricultural wastes as one of the most promising activated carbon precursors for phenols removal from water and wastewater and the safe disposal of phenol-laden adsorbent into cement by fixation process.
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