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Reactivation and recycling of spent carbon using solvent desorption followed by thermal treatment (TR)

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Abstract

This study demonstrated a technique to regenerate spent activated carbon using solvent desorption followed by thermal decomposition of pollutants. Dichloromethane is used as solvent for desorption and thermal reactor under inert (N2, CO2) atmosphere used for thermal reactivation of the spent carbon. Physical, chemical, functional chemistry and thermal behavior of the samples before and after treatment are featured by means of pH, bulk density, moisture content, ash content, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermo-gravimetric differential thermal analysis. The adsorptive property of the activated spent carbon is quantified using methylene blue and iodine as model compounds. After reactivation, methylene blue and iodine number adsorption is improved from 5 to 96 % and from 10 to 99 %, respectively. This regenerated carbon applied for paper mill and pharmaceutical effluents. 95 and 94 % of the COD reduction and color removal are observed by spent reactivated carbon.

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Abbreviations

ASTM:

American Society for Testing and Materials

AWWA:

American Water Works Association

CEFIC:

European Council of Chemical Manufacturer Federations

APHA:

American Public Health Association

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Environment, Institute of Science and Technology, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad, 500 085, India

    D. Bhagawan, Saritha Poodari, Gujarathi Ravi kumar, Shankaraiah Golla, Ch. Anand, Kumara Swamy Banda & Vurimindi Himabindu

  2. Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad, 500 085, India

    S. Vidyavathi

Authors
  1. D. Bhagawan
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  2. Saritha Poodari
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  3. Gujarathi Ravi kumar
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  4. Shankaraiah Golla
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  5. Ch. Anand
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  6. Kumara Swamy Banda
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  7. Vurimindi Himabindu
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  8. S. Vidyavathi
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Correspondence to D. Bhagawan.

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Bhagawan, D., Poodari, S., Ravi kumar, G. et al. Reactivation and recycling of spent carbon using solvent desorption followed by thermal treatment (TR). J Mater Cycles Waste Manag 17, 185–193 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10163-014-0237-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10163-014-0237-y

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