Thermal regeneration of activated carbon for the treatment of drinking water

Granular activated carbon (GAC) has been specified as the best available technology (BAT) for the removal of synthetic organic compounds from drinking water. Drinking water utilities which use GAC must either replace or regenerate the carbon periodically. Thermal regeneration is one option for handling spent carbon.The effect of several parameters on volume losses and on the recovery of adsorption capacity of granular activated carbon (GAC) during thermal regeneration has been studied. Parameters investigated during this study include the temperature of the regeneration step, the time of regeneration, the type of oxidant, and the oxidant flow rate.The apparent (bulk) density was found to be a good parameter for monitoring thermal regeneration. Other carbon properties followed during regeneration include the surface area (determined by nitrogen isotherm), the micropore volume and the mesopore volume. Optimum regeneration conditions were found to be dependant on the type of GAC being regenerated. The effect of multiple regenerations on carbon properties is discussed.U of I OnlyETDs are only available to UIUC Users without author permissio