Microwave-induced regeneration of activated carbons polluted with phenol. A comparison with conventional thermal regeneration Original Research Article

Thermal regeneration of activated carbons (AC) was carried out at 1123 K and under N2 atmosphere. Experiments have been carried out using a single mode microwave device operating at 2450 MHz and a conventional electric furnace (EF) so as to compare the effect of the different heating mechanisms on the adsorptive capacities of the regenerated AC. The adsorbents were saturated with phenol in columns. 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 in order to study the influence of the subsequent regeneration cycles on the texture and the adsorptive capacities of the AC. Textural characterization of the regenerated samples was carried out by means of N2 adsorption isotherms at 77 K.