Activated carbon regeneration principle

Activated carbon regeneration refers to the process of removing the adsorbate adsorbed in the micropores of activated carbon and restoring its adsorption performance by physical or chemical methods without destroying its original structure. During the adsorption process of activated carbon, it has an adsorption effect on both the adsorbate and the solvent. Due to different affinities, after a certain period of adsorption, adsorption equilibrium is reached. Activated carbon regeneration is to take measures to destroy this equilibrium relationship, and its basis is mainly the following aspects: ① Change the chemical properties of the adsorbate; ② Extract with a solvent with strong affinity for the adsorbate; ③ Replace the adsorbate with a substance with greater affinity for activated carbon than the adsorbate, and then desorb the replaced substance to regenerate the activated carbon; ④ Change the equilibrium conditions by external heating and increasing the temperature; ⑤ Regenerate by reducing the solute concentration (or pressure) in the solvent; ⑥ Remove the adsorbate (organic matter) by decomposition or oxidation.