Electrolytic treatment of heavy metals-bearing activated carbon from a metal finishing plant

The regeneration of activated carbon saturated with organics, from the oxidation of additives used in plating baths, was investigated. A cylindrical electrolytic cell was used with titanium cathode and, as anode, the studied carbon itself. The time, the electrolyte nature and pH were the studied parameters. The oxidation efficiency and, therefore, the carbon regeneration degree was investigated by evaluating the physical-chemical properties post-treatment and/or post-reactivation, in comparison to the properties of a pure activated carbon, of same nature. Among the electrolytic tests carried out, the treatment with NaCl 1.0 M showed quite suitable for the purposes of this work