The repeated exhaustion and chemical regeneration of activated carbon

Abstract

Following experimental research studies carried out at the University of Birmingham, U.K., this paper presents data on the repeated application of the cycle of exhaustion, chemical regeneration and re-exhaustion of activated carbon. The adsorbates studied were nitrobenzene (a small organic molecule of mol. wt approx. 123), Rhodamine B (a much larger adsorbate of mol. wt approx. 480) and humic acid (an ill-defined substance consisting of macromolecules of molecular weight predominantly in the range 20,000-50,000). The regenerants used were all organic with solubilising powers to encourage the physical displacement of the adsorbate molecule by the regenerant molecule. As a general conclusion, it may be stated that chemical regenerants could be used to regenerate granular activated carbon repeatedly with little loss of adsorption capacity. Earlier studies which considered the effect of water on the powers of the carboxylic acid regenerants were confirmed in the results reported here. Bonding between the acids and water hindered the regeneration process. © 1987 Pergamon Journals Ltd.