Adsorption equilibria of glycolic acid by activated carbon

Abstract

This paper aims to present novel data of adsorption for the removal of glycolic acid from aqueous solutions by activated carbon. Experimental works were carried out in the system of aqueous glycolic acid solutions in four different concentrations (2 %, 5 %, 10 %, 15 %, w/w) and in five different amounts of activated carbon (0.001 g, 0.002 g, 0.003 g, 0.004 g, 0.005 g) as adsorbent at 298 K. The equilibrium concentrations of glycolic acid were measured. The percentage removal of glycolic acid was 92.16 % for 30.92 g / L initial concentration of acid with 0.005 g activated carbon at optimal conditions. The equilibrium data fit well within the Freundlich isotherms.