Regeneration of spent activated carbon by advanced oxidation process (AOPs)

Abstract

Activated carbon is widely used to remove organic pollutants from wastewaters. However, once the active carbon is used, it considered as spent which loses its ability to adsorb pollutants in wastewater treatment. In this study, chemical regeneration was chosen by using advanced oxidation process (AOPs) or accurately by Fenton reaction to regenerate spent activated carbon. Fenton reaction is a mixed of Fe2+ and H2O2 produce hydroxyl radical (OH•). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the regeneration capacity of regenerated spent activated carbon by advance oxidation process and to develop a laboratory scale regeneration. Methylene blue and iodine solution used for desorption test since it able to determine active carbon mesopores and micropores. The result was analyzed where optimal regeneration condition for 1 gram of spent activated carbon with initial pH of 3, at Fe2+: H202 ratio of 100:350mg/L within 25 minutes of treatment time. Whereas the optimum flow rate for continuous regeneration using laboratory scale regeneration unit was at 0.5 mL/min. The adsorption performance by regenerated activated carbon was similarly near to fresh activated carbon. This proven that chemical regeneration by using Fenton reaction is able to regenerate spent activated carbon. Therefore, Fenton solution can be used to remove pollutant from the spent activated carbon.