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An Energy Saving Process for the Reactivation of Activated Carbon Saturated with Organic Contaminants

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Security of Industrial Water Supply and Management

Abstract

Activated carbon is the best broad-spectrum adsorbent available for the removal of dissolved organic material in aqueous solution. Granular activated carbon (GAC) has been commonly used to adsorb molecules that cause taste and odor, mutagenicity and toxicity. Synthetic organics, natural organic matter (humic and fulvic acids) pharmaceuticals, personal care products and disinfection by-products (chloroform) are well removed from domestic and industrial wastewaters. Physical adsorption efficiency of GAC is due to extensive surface area within the adsorbent deposited in a large range of pore sizes and volumes while the adsorbent surface chemistry affects chemisorption of adsorbates. Activated carbons have finite adsorption capacity that when exceeded, the adsorbent must be reactivated before reuse.

Off-site thermal regeneration of GAC, at temperatures in excess of 700°C, is currently the only viable technology employed for large amounts of spent carbon. Thermal processes have a large carbon footprint, requires high-energy inputs and result in adsorbent mass losses as well as changes in pore size distributions. These factors limit utilization of GAC particularly in developing countries.

A carbon regeneration process is described in which, contaminants adsorbed to activated carbon containing fixed iron oxides, are exposed to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The reaction of H2O2 and Fe (II) (Fenton’s Mechanism) generate hydroxyl radicals (*OH) that oxidize the adsorbates. The adsorbent is regenerated with minimum mass loss or alteration of the original pore size and volume distribution and adsorption capacity is restored. This process is conducted in situ at ambient temperature with low energy inputs and low carbon footprint. Research results for the chemical regeneration of methyl tert-butyl ether–spent GAC will be presented to demonstrate the application and feasibility of the Fenton based process.

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Acknowledgements

Dr. Scott Huling of the United States Environmental Kerr Research Laboratory is responsible for initial and on-going research on the topic presented in this paper. Professor Robert G. Arnold of the University of Arizona likewise contributed to these studies and together with the author were the inventors of the activated carbon regeneration process described herein.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chemical and Environmental Engineering Department, The University of Arizona, 6967 E. Wild Canyon Place, Tucson, AZ, USA

    Raymond A. Sierka

Authors
  1. Raymond A. Sierka
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Correspondence to Raymond A. Sierka .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Environmental Engineering Department, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, 06531, Turkey

    Aysel T. Atimtay

  2. Protection Agency, National Risk Management, United States Environmental, W. Martin Luther King Dr. 26, Cincinnati, 45268, Ohio, USA

    Subhas K. Sikdar

Chemical Regeneration of Granular Activated Carbon (GAC)

Chemical Regeneration of Granular Activated Carbon (GAC)

Numerous publications and patents have been published involving the fundamental mechanisms in chemical regeneration of GAC. These studies include the investigation of key parameters, and optimization of the treatment process. Studies involving the field-scale deployment of the technology involving MTBE-contaminated ground water, and persulfate-driven chemical regeneration of GAC have been completed and publication is imminent.

*Arnold RG, Ela WP, Saez AE, De Las Casas CL (2007) In-situ regeneration of granular activated carbon (GAC) Using Fenton’s Reagents (EPA/600/R-07-008). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Robert S. Kerr Environmental Research Center, Ground Water and Ecosystem Restoration Division, Ada; De Las Casas C, Bishop K, Bercik L, Johnson M, Potzler M, Ela W, Sáez AE, Huling S, Arnold R (2006) In-place regeneration of GAC using Fenton’s reagents. In: Clark C, Lindner A (eds.) Innovative approaches for the remediation of subsurface – contaminated hazardous waste sites: bridging flask and field scales, ACS Symposium Series 940. ACS, Washington, DC, pp 43–65

*Huling SG, Arnold RG, Sierka RA (2003) Contaminant adsorption and oxidation via Fenton reaction. Patent No. US 6,663,781, United States Patent and Trademark Office. Application No. 09/649/816. 19 Claims, 7 drawing sheets. Washington, DC, 20231

*Huling SG, Arnold RG, Sierka RA (2008) Contaminant adsorption and oxidation via Fenton reaction. Patent No. US 7,335,246, United States Patent and Trademark Office. Application No. 10/681/376 (Mar. 9, 2004). 12 Claims. Washington, DC, 20231

*Huling SG, Arnold RG, Sierka RA, Jones PK, Fine D (2000) Contaminant adsorption and oxidation via Fenton reaction. J Environ Eng 126(7):595–600

*Huling SG, Jones PK, Ela WP, Arnold RG (2005) Fenton-driven chemical regeneration of MTBE-spent granular activated carbon. Water Res 39:2145–2153

*Huling SG, Jones PK, Ela WP, Arnold RG (2005) Repeated reductive and oxidative treatments on granular activated carbon. J Environ Eng 131(2):287–297

*Huling SG, Jones KP, Lee T (2007) Iron optimization for Fenton-driven oxidation of MTBE-spent granular activated carbon. Environ Sci Technol 41(11):4090–4096

*Huling S, Hwang S (2010) Iron amendment and Fenton oxidation of MTBE-spent granular activated carbon. Water Res (44)8:2663–2671

*Huling SG, Kan E, Wingo C (2009) Fenton-driven regeneration of MTBE-spent granular activated carbon – effects of particle size and iron amendment procedures. J Appl Catal B Environ 89:651–657

*Kan E, Huling SG (2009) Effects of temperature and acidic pre-treatment on Fenton-driven oxidation of MTBE-spent granular activated carbon. Environ Sci Technol 43(5):1493–1499

*Kommineni S, Ela WP, Arnold RG, Huling SG, Hester BJ, Betterton EA (2003) NDMA treatment by sequential GAC adsorption and Fenton-driven destruction. J Environ Eng Sci (20)4:361–373

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Sierka, R.A. (2011). An Energy Saving Process for the Reactivation of Activated Carbon Saturated with Organic Contaminants. In: Atimtay, A., Sikdar, S. (eds) Security of Industrial Water Supply and Management. NATO Science for Peace and Security Series C: Environmental Security. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-1805-0_13

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