Performance evaluation on adsorption capacity of regenerated carbon from industrial application

Abstract

Carbon regeneration is a viable way to reduce secondary pollution, preserve natural resource, as well as bring along benefits to economy. Chemical regeneration generally has lower total regeneration cost compared to thermal regeneration. In this study, spent carbon is regenerated by using sodium hydroxide solution and hot water. This method could potentially improve adsorption capacity, reduce carbon loss and reduce the total cost of carbon regeneration. The purpose of this study is to determine the optimal regeneration condition for chemical regeneration of spent carbon from industrial application; the adsorption capacity of regenerated carbon and its regeneration efficiency is evaluated and thus the economic evaluation of carbon regeneration is carried out. The finding shown the optimal regeneration conditions of carbon regeneration are 6 N of NaOH solution, 30 minutes of contact time, and a ratio of 15 mL of NaOH solution to 1 g of carbon. Besides, the adsorption performance of regenerated carbon is found almost similar to new carbon and with regeneration efficiency more than 90%. Other than that, economic evaluation on carbon regeneration using NaOH solution and hot water shown it is economically feasible and brings along benefits to economic as well as the environment.