Removal of contaminates from granular solids

The method of regenerating activated carbon adsorbent containing organic adsorbate which comprises:

• a. immersing said activated carbon in an aqueous liquid bath;
• b. applying ultrasonic vibration to said aqueous liquid bath and to said activated carbon adsorbent contained therein at a frequency from 1 to about 100 kilo-Hertz, said vibration being sufficient to effect a substantial desorption of said organic adsorbate from said activated carbon adsorbent;
• c. introducing water into said aqueous liquid bath and withdrawing aqueous liquid therefrom to effect washing of said granular solids and removal of desorbed organic compounds therefrom;
• and
• g. adding a surface active agent to said aqueous liquid bath at a concentration from about 10 to about 250 parts per million.

In a method of the removal of organic compounds from water which comprises:

• d. contacting said water with activated carbon in an amount sufficient to adsorb said organic compounds from said water and form an organic-compound adsorbate laden activated carbon;
• and
• e. regenerating organic-compound adsorbate-laden activated carbon adsorbent containing organic adsorbate by:
• (1) immersing said activated carbon in an aqueous liquid bath containing from 10 to about 250 parts per million of a surface active agent;
• (2) applying ultrasonic vibration to said aqueous liquid bath and to said activated carbon contained therein at a frequency from 1 to about 100 kilo-Hertz, said vibration being sufficient to effect a substantial desorption of said organic adsorbate from said activated carbon;
• and
• (3) introducing water into said aqueous liquid bath and withdrawing aqueous liquid therefrom to effect washing of said activated carbon and removal of desorbed organic compounds therefrom.