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01004-042

DESIGN Santiago Sanchez Sarfati


Candidate Number: 042

Aim

How do different concentrations 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2 gdm-3 of a solution of Activated
Carbon and the contaminated water affect the light transmitted (lux) through the Light
Sensometer? The concentration is changed by changing different masses (kg) of
Activated Carbon with 100 ml of constant contaminated water.

The objective is to analyse which concentration in terms of % of lux transmitted is the


most effective and suitable for the scope of the Environmental Water Purification
techniques.

Background Theory

A process called adsorption by which a variety of dissolved contaminants are attracted


to and held (adsorbed) on the surface of the carbon particles is the main characteristic of
Activated Carbon. The characteristics of this carbon material (particle and pore size,
surface area, surface chemistry, density, temperature and concentration) influence the
efficiency of adsorption.

The Activated Carbon will and should only be utilized to remove small
particles such as colour, which cannot be removed with other methods
such as filtration. 1

Hypothesis

My hypothesis is that the increase of concentration of the solution between


Activated Carbon and the contaminated water will cause a higher probability of
adsorption of adherent particles towards the Activated Carbon pores. Henceforth, the
increase of concentration will cause a larger percentage (%) of lux transmitted in the
sample of 100 ml of contaminated water. In other words, the most diluted solution
between the activated carbon and the contaminated water will cause the new solution of

1Isaac Ray and al. Adsorption with activated carbon. Economical removal of
malodorous and toxic organics.
<http://www.enviroenergytek.com/upload/adsorption_activated_carbon.pdf>
01004-042

water after filtration will cause less percentage of lux transmitted than the most
concentrated solution.

It is worth noting that the reason for this may not be due to the rates of reaction
theory which involves concentration as a factor, but instead to the adsorption theory.
The adsorption theory involves that if there is an increase in concentration, there are
more particles (or pores) so more the water pollutants are adhered and therefore higher
light transmittance.

Variables

Independent:

Concentration of the solution between Activated Carbon and 0.1 dm3 of contaminated
water. The concentration changes since 0.01, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15 and 0.20 grams of
Activated Carbon are inserted. The concentrations, thus, will be 0.1 gdm-3, 0.5 gdm-3,
1.0 gdm-3, 1.5 gdm-3, 2 gdm-3, respectively.

Dependent:

The % of light transmitted. The initial light transmission in comparison to the final, as a
percentage ratio.

Control:

- Same volume of contaminated water (100 ml per beaker).


- Same source of water (could be from anywhere but better results will be yielded
if it can transmit more than 600 lux).
- The temperature must be kept constant at room temperature (23-25 C) with a
thermometer.
- Same setting and atmosphere around and through the whole experiment.
- Same external light conditions throughout the experiment ( lights-off in the
room)
- It is desirable that the Light Sensometer setting is performed in a closed box or
somewhere where there are the minimum light disruptions.
- The pH must be the same for the contaminated water before the Activated
Carbon is added, in the beaker (around 7).
- The surface area of Activated Carbon must remain constant and be pulverized
(which means the activated carbon must come from the same source or same
lab).
01004-042

- The beakers must be sterilized and disinfected with the same water (tap water is
alright since the use of distilled water should be minimized for environmental
concerns).
-

Materials

- 50 g of activated carbon - 1xLight Sensor (Hanna or any


- 1x Measuring cylinder (100
other with measurement of lux)
ml)
(Accuracy: 5 %)
- 5x beakers (100 ml)
- 1x Black Bag ( 1m2)
- 12x Conical Flasks
- 2ml of Colorant (Dye)
- 2x Universal Stand
- 1xThermometer (0.1 C)
- 20x Filter Papers
- 1xBalance ( 0.01g)
- 3x Filter Funnel
- 1x Bowl
- Procedure:

1) First of all, all materials must be gathered and ready to set.


2) Set the filter funnel in the universal stand, as shown in the Diagram below.
3) The filter paper is inserted in the funnel like a cone.
4) All the contaminated water must be filtered through this system so ionized and
heavy solids are removed, and poured in a bowl. There is no carbon addition in
this step.
5) Add 2 drops of the green dye to the water in the bowl.
6) With the use of a measuring cylinder, 100 ml of this greenish water from the
bowl is measured and placed in a 100 ml beaker.
7) Step 6 is repeated 5 times so that there are 5 beakers with 100 ml of the greenish
water.
8) In order to use comparison of data and furthermore percentage of lux
transmitted, we must measure the Light Transmission (lux) of the contaminated
water before the Activated Carbon is added.
9) The Light Sensometer, as shown in the diagram, must be set. The sensor must be
parallel to the beaker (2 cm away from the beaker; which must always remain
constant) and the beaker should be between 6 and 10 cm away from the light
source. It is also mandatory that there is a plastic bag covering the experiment so
no external light interferes with the measurements.
10) It is important that the distances remain constant as a controlling variable. These
distances are checked again.
11) Now, one beaker at a time is placed in this set-up, and measurements are taken.
This value is the initial light transmitted (lux). It is important that there is a
certain stable value where the readings are coherent since the reading can change
partially.
12) After all 5 samples of water have been measured; they must be poured in 5
conical flasks.
13) With the correct awareness of uncertainty; 0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15 and 0.2 grams of
Activated Carbon are measured in an accurate balance and inserted in five
weighing dish, respectively.
14) The dishes are marked so that there is always track and awareness of what the
mass of Activated Carbon was used.
15) In conical flask with the greenish water, a mass of 0.01g of Activated Carbon is
added.
16) The different masses are put in the 4 remaining flasks.
17) Mark where the specific masses are put so there can be a comparison of data
afterwards.
18) It is important with a rubber lid put, to mix the solution through 2 minutes.
19) After this, in 5 conical funnels are clipped to 5 universal stands. The funnels
must be cleaned with a paper and the filter papers are put in.
20) Then, the flasks with the mixed solution of Activated Carbon and water should
be poured in one conical funnel, so that the carbon is trapped and the new
purified water in then obtained. Indeed, under the funnel, there is another conical
flask or beaker to trap the water.
21) Repeat steps 20 for the 4 remaining beakers.
22) After this, 5 beakers with purified water are obtained.
23) These filtered solutions, now should be placed through the light sensor for
measurement, considering same distances throughout the whole experiment.
Each measurement by each beaker.
24) The transmitted light of these new solutions is the: Final Light transmitted (lux).
25) After complying with the first Trial, the whole experiment must be done again. It
is recommended that the experiment is done four more times so that the random
errors are reduced and more precise and accurate values are obtained.

- Diagram

- Performed in a
dark room
-

-
-

Water in
beaker

Light Sensor

- Bibliography

- Isaac Ray and al. Adsorption with activated carbon. Economical removal of
malodorous and toxic organics.

- URL:
<http://www.enviroenergytek.com/upload/adsorption_activated_carbon.pdf>

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