Paper Title
Remediation Studies of Heavy Metals And Btex From �Produced Water� Using Activated Carbon And Activated Carbon-Modified Microemulsions

Abstract
In this study, we are developing an integrated approach for the produced water management from the treatment to the beneficial reuse of this type of water. The crucial goal of produced water management is to eliminate dissolved harmful components and use it for beneficial uses that can efficiently improve environmental impact and water shortage. Application of activated carbon (AC) and microemulsion modified activated carbon (�E-AC) as solid extractants for removing inorganic (heavy metals) and soluble organic pollutants (benzene, toluene, ethyl-benzene, and xylenes (BTEX))from �produced water� have been presented.The AC and �E-AC were effective towards all pollutants especially for the organic pollutants with high removal percentages at different particle sizes and adsorbent masses (greater than 99% removal) which indicated the suitability of these new materials for extraction of organic and inorganic pollutants from �produced water�. Lastly, the adsorption mechanisms between the pollutants and the AC and �E-AC wereinvestigated by matching the changes in the position and intensity of the surface functional groups using the FTIR technique. Differentremediation mechanisms would be suggested: (i) remediation by an electrostatic force, (ii) remediation by tail groups of the microemulsions and the hydrophobic character of the BTEX, and (iii) dissolving into the microemulsion micelles.The SEM analysis was carried out for AC and �E-AC to study the morphology and determine the changes in the surface of the adsorbent before and after metals and organic pollutants adsorption. It can be observed that the structure of the adsorbent was changed upon adsorbing the metals and organic pollutants. From both Figure 1, it was noticed that the change in the morphology of the adsorbents in terms of the shape and size of the pores. Keywords- Activated Carbon, Adsorption Produced Water, FTIR, Microemulsions