title: H2O2-based oxidation processes for the regeneration of activated carbons saturated with volatile organic compounds of different polarity.
abstract: This study reports the sequential regeneration treatment of activated carbons (ACs) saturated with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of different polarity using H(2)O(2) as oxidizing agent. In this process, VOCs were adsorbed onto the AC and further oxidized by H(2)O(2). A commercial AC was selected and saturated with three different VOCs: two non-polar and hydrophobic VOCs, toluene and limonene, and one polar and hydrophilic VOC, methyl ethyl ketone (MEK). The saturated AC was regenerated with H(2)O(2), and the Fenton reagent for comparison. It was found that regeneration efficiencies obtained with the H(2)O(2) treatment were equal to or even higher than those obtained with the Fenton treatment. The fate of the pre-adsorbed VOCs, once the regeneration process is completed was studied. It was found that this regeneration treatment is limited for non-polar VOCs such as toluene and limonene, as they tend to remain adsorbed onto the ACs after regeneration treatment. Contrarily, MEK tend to be transferred to the bulk phase and react with the generated oxidant species.
authors.affiliation: LEQUIA, Institute of the Environment, University of Girona, Campus Montilivi, E-17071 Girona, Catalonia, Spain. alba@lequia.udg.cat
authors.forename: Alba
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Anfruns
authors.forename: Miguel A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Montes-Morán
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gonzalez-Olmos
authors.forename: María J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Martin
mesh_terms: D000327:Adsorption; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000737:chemistry*; D002606:Charcoal / Q000737:chemistry*; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000737:chemistry*; D008956:Models, Chemical; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D059027:Recycling; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds; D002606:Charcoal; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide