Adsorption and Desorption of Dinitrotoluene on Activated Carbon

The adsorption and solvent extraction 0+ aqueous 2,4-dinitro-toluene (ONT) were evaluated with two commercial activated carbons. Both carbons proved to be excel lent adsorbents +or aqueous DNT. The solvents tested +or extracting the adsorbed DNT were water, acetone, and methanol, both individually and in mixtures with each other. Acetone and methanol were both +ound to be much more e++ective extraction solvents than water. Analysis 0+ the extracts revealed the presence 0+ at least six other chemical species besides DNT. Four 0+ these other species were tentatively identi+ied as 2,4-dinitro-benzyl alcohol, 2,4-dinitro-benzaldehyde, 2,4-dinitro-benzoic acid, and 2,4- dinitro-methylbenzoate. The presence 0+ these derivative compounds suggests that some 0+ the DNT undergoes chemical reactions while attached to the carbon sur+ace.
Sponsored in part by DOE. Prepared in cooperation with Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc.