The efficiency of a coal fly ash (generated from a thermal power plant) adsorption column for the removal of some priority organic pollutants, viz phenol, o-hydroxyphenol, m-hydroxyphenol and 4-nitrophenol from aqueous solution has been studied. The column performance was evaluated from the concept of the formation of a primary adsorption zone and the breakthrough curve. The extent of solute removal obtained from breakthrough curve during column operation was compared with that obtained from the isotherm parameters for batch operation. The loaded solutes in the column were successfully eluted with acetone, achieving 98% recovery. In order to determine the practical applicability of the column operation the process was repeated a number of times and the variation of column capacity with number of operation cycles was evaluated. Even after six successive cycles, the column was found to retain almost 80% capacity. (c) 2005 Society of Chemical Industry.