Hello,

As you know, for removal of organic pollutants in waste water, coagulants (inorganic or organic) and activated carbon could work.

The organic pollutants in waste water have negative charge,so you would better use iron or aluminum inorganic coagulants for removal.

The actibated carbon could adsorp the organic pollutans very well. For ultra advaced treatment of drinking water, in Japan we use the activated carbon commonly.

Sorry for basic knowledge.

Adsorption is a surface phenomenon whereby the pollutant (as adsorbate) is adhered to the solid surface (an adsorbent). The adsorption process is controlled by various parameters such as temperature, nature of adsorbate, quantity and type of adsorbent, presence of other pollutants, and adsorption process conditions (pH, contact time, particle size, temperature, initial concentration of pollutant, adsorbent dosage). An equilibrium is established when the concentrations of pollutant adsorbed and in water become constant.

Adsorption process has been an economical and effective means of removing pollutants (both inorganic and organic) present wastewater.

as mentioned by S.I Mustapha adsorption is phenomena where the the adsorbate is adhered at the surface of the solid (adsorabant). However, the adsorbent which is commonly used is activated carbon, alumina has large surface area. the large surface area is due many voids within the solid surface pf adsorbant.  it can be simulated as a sponge. then when the pollutant (adsorbate) pass through the adsorbant it enters the voids and trap their. thus the  pollutant is removed

Dear Alhaji,

In the adsorption process of organics, the molecular binding can be provided by Van der Waals interactions, ionic organic compounds may be adsorbed by electrical forces, this is especially important for organic cations (e.g. certain organic  pesticides). Non-ionic compounds may be adsorbed by adhesion/cohesion forces (London/ Van der Waals forces). Sometimes hydrogen binds can play role for adsorption of organics on various adsorbents (I can send you references about the issue, however you can also find them with keywords in internet).

Good Luck.

Dear Mohammed Haji Alhaji  ,

A lot of scientific research has been done on removing organic pollutants from wastewater by adsorption as reflected by the excellent comments.

This research supports our findings and developments to boost the performance of activated sludge based biological treatment. Some 20 years ago we discovered that up to 80% of the organics (as COD)  in municipal sewage can be adsorbed on (and enmeshed in)  dense biosludge flocs after adequate regeneration. Since then we applied our technology in new and existing full scale municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plants. This resulted in ultralow residual COD, BOD, TSS, turbidity,, color, SDI, ...  after our advanced activated sludge treatment enabling sustainable water reuse.

Dear Mohammed,

The nature of the adsorption would depend on the type of the adsorbent and the organic pollutant to be removed. Depending on the surface characteristics of the adsorbent and the ionic state of the pollutant, removal can be through physisorption or chemisorption. So an idea about the target pollutant as well as the type of the adsorbent is imperative. Operational parameters, particularly the solution pH, are important. 

Dear Mohammed Haji,

following links may help you..

Regards...

Chapter Adsorption Technique for the Removal of Organic Pollutants f...