High removal efficiency of volatile phenol from coking wastewater using coal gasification slag via optimized adsorption and multi-grade batch process

Abstract Powder adsorbent made by coal gasification slag (CGS) was used to adsorb pollutants from coking wastewater (CW). This study initially focused on the removal efficiency of volatile phenol, NH3–N, and chemical oxygen demand (COD) from CW. The removal rate of volatile phenol increased from 48.90% to 70.50% after acid precipitation of CW by 4.0 mL reagent of sulfuric acid (3.0 M) and optimization of adsorption process by central composite design-response surface methodology with optimized conditions. Volume ratio of liquid and solid adsorbent (V L/S) and pH were the significant factors in the adsorption process. Batch experiment improved the volatile phenol, NH3–N, and COD removal rate to 85.1%, 41.6%, and 77.3%, respectively. Multi-grade batch process in grade 3 made a further promotion of pollutants removal rate as 98.5%, 73.6%, and 80.5%, respectively. Scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive spectrum and Fourier-transform infrared spectrometer were used to confirm the adsorption effect. CGS-based adsorbent for CW treatment has potential advantages due to the features of good adsorption performance and low cost.