Removal of volatile organic compounds from activated carbon by thermal Desorption and catalytic combustion

The thermal desorption of saturated activated carbon discharged from an industrial adsorber and catalytic oxidation of desorbed products over a Pt/Al2O3 catalyst were investigated. The activated carbon is almost completely regenerated by flushing with air at 200 degrees C for 30 min. Desorbed products are fully oxidized over the Pt/Al2O3 catalyst above 275 degrees C