Continuous adsorption of natural organic matters in a column packed with carbon nanotubes

In the present study, continuous adsorption experiments were carried out in an adsorption column to survey theefficiency of the carbon nanotubes (cnts) for removal of natural organic matters (noms) from aqueous solution.parameters such as mass of cnts, initial noms concentration were evaluated and also the breakthrough curveswere obtained. experiments performed with various initial noms concentration and various cnts masses. thebreakthrough period was longer at lower initial noms concentration. increase of the initial noms concentration,expectedly, resulted in the faster saturation of the cnts bed. the adsorption capacities for multi wall carbonnanotubes (mwcnt) and single wall carbon nanotubes (swcnt) in highest initial noms concentration were 53.46and 66.24 mg/g, respectively. the effect of amount of cnts on breakthrough time and volume of treated waterwas investigated and resulted that with an increase in the mass of cnts, breakthrough time occurs very late andthe volume of treated water increased. these findings suggested that cnts present a great potential in removal ofnoms from aqueous solutions.