Adsorptive recovery of butanol, propanol, and ethanol using activated carbon based on residual sludge industrial (ACRS)

Abstract This paper reports the study about the potential of activated carbon based on residual sludge from a beverage industry (ACRS) for the adsorption and recovery of butanol, propanol, and ethanol, at different temperatures through equilibrium isotherms. The results made it possible to verify that the highest adsorption capacities in ACRS were obtained for butanol with 24.64 mmol g−1, followed by propanol (19.31 mmol g−1) and ethanol (16.48 mmol g−1). This process was significantly and positively affected by the increase in temperature, giving it an endothermic character. Sips, Liu, and Hill best fitted the adsorption isotherms. The interaction analysis between bioalcohols and ACRS indicates that physisorption occurred. In conclusion, the recovery of these bioalcohols from the use of ACRS is promising given its ecological character, impacting the adsorption process's viability and low cost.