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The adsorption of a cationic (CTAB, cetyl trimethylammonium bromide) and an anionic surfactant (SLES, sodium dodecylethersulfate) from aqueous solution onto organic polymer resin (Lewatit VPOC 1064 MD PH) was studied. A series of batch experiments were performed to determine the sorption isotherms of surfactants to organic polymer resin. The experimental studies were analyzed by Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. Furthermore, the isotherm parameters, average percentage errors (epsilon) of model data, and separation factor (R (L)) were calculated. Other factors influencing the adsorption capacity (contact time, adsorbent amount, and initial surfactant concentration) were also discussed. The experimental data fitted very well to the Langmuir equilibrium model in the studied concentration range. The calculated R (L) values showed that the adsorption of both surfactants were favorable. Among the surfactants, CTAB showed higher adsorption capacity onto organic polymer resin compared to SLES (Q (0) = 250 and 34.36 mg g(-1), respectively).

Adsorption beds containing granular activated carbon and organic polymer resin are used widely to remove organic pollutants from wastewaters and water streams. Adsorption polymers are becoming alternatives to activated carbon for removal of surfactants by adsorption techniques. This study investigated the adsorption characteristics of cetyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as a cationic surfactant for selected concentrations below and above critical micelle concentration (CMC). A series of column tests were performed to determine the breakthrough curves by using two different adsorbents: (1) Hydraffin CC 8 x 30 as a commercial granular activated carbon (GAC) and (2) Lewatit VPOC 1064 MD PH as a commercial organic polymer resin. In the experiments, the volumetric flow rate was maintained at 10.5 mL/min (approximately 2 m3/ m2 x h). Loading of adsorbents was continued until breakthrough was 10% of the feed concentration. The breakthrough took place at 488 bed volume (BV) below CMC (C0 = 40 mg/L) and 39 BV above CMC (C0 = 400 mg/ L) onto GAC. The organic polymer resin, however, showed a higher adsorption capacity than GAC (1412 BV below CMC and 287 BV above CMC). From the Logit method, the value of adsorption rate coefficient (K) and adsorption capacity coefficient (N) were obtained.