Comparative Adsorptive Performance of Clinoptilolite, Purolite, and Mesoporous Carbon (CMK-3) for Heavy Metals and Hydrocarbons Removal From Real Petrochemical Effluent

Authors

• Eynas Muhamad Majeed, Middle Technical University, Polytechnic College of Engineering Specializations, Baghdad/IraqFollow
• Nuha Muhsen Ali, Middle Technical University, Polytechnic College of Engineering Specializations, Baghdad/Iraq

Article Type

Original Study

Abstract

Petrochemical activities result in the generation of effluent that contain highly toxic heavy metals and oil products, which are very hazardous to the environment. The research tries to examine the adsorption capacity of three materials synthetic clinoptilolite, synthetic Purolite, and synthesized mesoporous carbon (CMK-3) in the removal of Ni²⁺, Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺, benzene, and toluene present in real refinery effluent obtained at Al-Dora Refinery in Iraq (Baghdad). The experiments were carried by batch adsorption that investigated the equilibrium behavior, kinetic performance, and the influence of ionic strength and organic co-contaminants. The heavy metal adsorption was higher in Clinoptilolite and Purolite reaching an efficiency of more than 90%. Although CMK-3 is not a good metal remover, it proved to possess high toluene and benzene removal capacity because of high surface area and mesoporous structure. Co-contaminant experiments indicated that benzene increased Pb²⁺ adsorption which could be as a result of Pbbenzene complexation and Ni²⁺ and Cd²⁺ adsorption decreased. Hydrocarbons were characterized by a two-stage isotherm model pointing to multilayer adsorption behaviour. The paper offers comparative perspectives on adsorbent performance with actual petrochemical discharge and suggests that new ways of adsorption amplification or inhibition can be offered under co-contaminant conditions.

Keywords

Mesoporous materials, Mesoporous carbon, Clinoptilolites, Purolites, Adsorption, Heavy metals, Hydrocarbon

Recommended Citation

Majeed, Eynas Muhamad and Ali, Nuha Muhsen (2026) "Comparative Adsorptive Performance of Clinoptilolite, Purolite, and Mesoporous Carbon (CMK-3) for Heavy Metals and Hydrocarbons Removal From Real Petrochemical Effluent," Al-Esraa University College Journal for Engineering Sciences: Vol. 8: Iss. 13, Article 29.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.70080/2790-7732.1116