Regeneration of AG-3 activated carbon used in surface water processes

The thermal regeneration process of the used AG-3 activated carbon from the water treatment plant in Chisinau was studied. The regeneration process was carried out at different temperatures and for different periods of time with water vapor. To evaluate the degree of regeneration of activated carbon samples, the adsorption isotherms of benzene and methylene blue from aqueous solutions were measured. It was found that at high temperatures the complete regeneration of the used AG-3 activated carbon occurred. This fact has been confirmed by the practically equal methylene blue adsorption values on the regenerated activated carbon and on the intact one. At temperatures close to 8000 C, the adsorptive capacity of the regenerated used AG-3 activated carbon is even higher than that of the intact AG-3 activated carbon, a fact that can be explained by the complete oxidation of the amorphous carbon remaining in the carbonized porous structure.