Sorptive removal of toluene and m-xylene by municipal solid waste biochar: Simultaneous municipal solid waste management and remediation of volatile organic compounds

The remediation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from aqueous solution using Municipal solid waste biochar (MSW-BC) has been evaluated. Municipal solid waste was pyrolyzed in an onsite pyrolyzer around 450 °C with a holding time of 30 min for the production of biochar (BC). Physiochemical proper...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of environmental management 2019-05, Vol.238, p.323-330
Main Authors: Jayawardhana, Yohan, Gunatilake, Sameera R., Mahatantila, Kushani, Ginige, Maneesha P., Vithanage, Meththika
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biochar
Leachate treatment
Municipal solid waste
Solid waste management
Volatile organic compounds
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Summary:The remediation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from aqueous solution using Municipal solid waste biochar (MSW-BC) has been evaluated. Municipal solid waste was pyrolyzed in an onsite pyrolyzer around 450 °C with a holding time of 30 min for the production of biochar (BC). Physiochemical properties of BC were assessed based on X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) and Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) analysis. Adsorption capacities for the VOCs (m-xylene and toluene) were examined by batch sorption experiments. Analysis indicated high loading of m-xylene and toluene in landfill leachates from different dump sites. The FTIR analysis corroborates with the Boehm titration data whereas XRF data demonstrated negligible amounts of trace metals in MSW-BC to be a potential sorbent. Adsorption isotherm exhibited properties of both Langmuir and Freundlich which is indicative of a non-ideal monolayer adsorption process taking place. Langmuir adsorption capacities were high as 850 and 550 μg/g for toluene and m-xylene respectively. The conversion of MSW to a value added product provided a feasible means of solid waste management. The produced MSW-BC was an economical adsorbent which demonstrated a strong ability for removing VOCs. Hence, MSW-BC can be used as a landfill cover or a permeable reactive barrier material to treat MSW leachate. Thus, the conversion of MSW to BC becomes an environmentally friendly and economical means of solid waste remediation. [Display omitted] •Landfill leachates were contaminated with elevated levels of m-xylene and toluene.•Biochar produced from municipal solid waste had low amounts of trace metals.•Volatile organics were removed well by biochar without an ideal monolayer mechanism.•Biochar production from organic waste is a sustainable solution to waste management.
ISSN:0301-4797
1095-8630
DOI:10.1016/j.jenvman.2019.02.097