Regeneration of AG–AC beads for adsorption of monoaromatic compounds

This study investigates the possibility of monoaromatic compounds benzene and toluene adsorption onto alginate gel (AG–AC) beads with impregnated activated carbon and their regeneration possibility using ultrasound method. Kinetic adsorption tests showed that the AG–AC beads were capable of removing the organic compounds from either individual or mixed compound solutions. Removal ratio of the AG–AC beads was as high as that of free PAC powder for benzene and toluene. The removal was more efficient for toluene (97%) than for benzene (75%), and slightly decreased by 7% and 5% for toluene and benzene respectively even after 5 times regeneration. This indicates that the regeneration method utilizing ultrasound is very efficient for desorption of benzene and toluene from the AG–AC beads developed in this study.