Chemical and electrochemical regeneration of active carbon
AssigneeHuron Tech Canada, Inc.
InventorsArthur L. Clifford, Dennis F. Dong, Timothy A. Mumby, Derek J. Rogers
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Abstract
Method for the regeneration of active carbon having oxidizable, organic pollutants adsorbed thereon by electrochemical and chemical means and apparatus therefor. The method involves a desorption step prior to a decomposition step. Each step involves conducting electrolysis in a cell using the active carbon as a carbon bed electrode. It is advantageous to conduct the electrolysis in the presence of a transition metal or a chelate of a transition metal while feeding an oxygen containing gas to the electrolysis cell.
Claims11
In a process for electrochemically regenerating the adsorptive capacity of a mass of activated carbon, said carbon comprising adsorbed, oxidizable, organic material, the improvement wherein said oxidizable, organic material is desorbed from said mass of carbon and substantially decomposed, said process comprising:
- A) providing electrolytic cell means comprising an aqueous electrolyte and electrodes, at least one of said electrodes consisting of said mass of carbon and adsorbed oxidizable, organic material,
- B) conducting electrolysis to effect desorption of said oxidizable, organic material, said aqueous electrolyte comprising hydrogen peroxide, while feeding an oxygen containing gas to said electrolytic cell, and
- C) conducting electrolysis to effect decomposition of said oxidizable, organic material, said aqueous electrolyte comprising hydrogen peroxide, a transition metal or ions thereof, and hydroxyl radicals, while feeding an oxygen containing gas to said cell.
An apparatus for regeneration of the adsorptive capacity of a mass of carbon comprising an adsorbed, oxidizable, organic material, said apparatus comprising electrolytic cell means comprising electrodes, at least one of said electrodes consisting of said mass of carbon and adsorbed, oxidizable organic material and an aqueous electrolyte comprising hydrogen peroxide, said electrolytic cell means effective for desorbing and decomposing said organic material by maintaining an electrical potential on said mass of carbon while feeding an oxygen containing gas to said cell.
In a process for electrochemically regenerating the adsorptive capacity of a mass of activated carbon comprising an adsorbed, oxidizable, organic material, the improvement wherein said oxidizable, organic material is desorbed from said mass of carbon and substantially decomposed, said process comprising:
- A) providing electrolytic cell means comprising an aqueous electrolyte and electrodes, at least one of said electrodes consisting of said mass of carbon and adsorbed, oxidizable, organic material and
- B) conducting electrolysis to effect desorption and decomposition of said oxidizable, organic material, said electrolyte comprising hydrogen peroxide, while feeding an oxygen containing gas to said cell.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.