MICROWAVE-INDUCED REGENERATION OF ACTIVATED CARBONS POLLUTED WITH ORGANIC COMPOUNDS FROM PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY

摘要

The possibility of the regeneration of activated carbons (AC) once they have become saturated make the process ofadsorption on AC economically attractive. Thermal regeneration of activated carbons (AC) was carried out underdifferent operating conditions. Experiments have been carried out using a microwave-assisted device operating at2450 MHz and a conventional electric furnace (EF) so as to compare the effect of the different heating mechanismson the adsorptive capacities of the regenerated AC. The adsorbents were saturated with phenol and salicylic acid incolumns. Adsorptive capacities after subsequent regeneration cycles were evaluated from the breakthrough curves.Additionally, a complete textural and chemical characterization of the regenerated samples was also carried out inorder to study the influence of the subsequent regeneration cycles on the texture and the adsorptive capacities of theAC. Textural characterization of the regenerated samples was carried out by measuring apparent density (mercuryat 0.1 Mpa), mercury porosimetry, and N2 adsorption isotherms at 77.