Activated Carbon as an Adsorbent for the Separation of Low-Molecular Weight Alkyl Halides from Ground Water in the Production of Drinking Water. II. The Relationship between the Adsorption Capacity for Trichloroethene of Virgin and Regenerated Activated Carbons,and Their Achievement in the Purification of Deep-Well Ground Water

Abstract

Activated carbon can be used for the separation of trichloroethene from contaminated deep-well ground water. When the activated carbon has become saturated with trichloroethene, it may be regenerated (i.e., purified from trichloroethene) by the manufacturer. After regeneration, it can be used again.

It is shown that the activated carbon deteriorated gradually upon regeneration. Successive regenerations became necessary after ever-decreasing time intervals, and the amount of trichloroethene adsorbed from the ground water decreased gradually.

It appears that the efficiency in the separation of trichloroethene from ground water of the regenerated activated carbons is proportional to their adsorption capacity for trichloroethene at equilibrium. This relationship can be used to predict the efficiency of a charge of regenerated activated carbon in the separation of trichloroethene from deep-well ground water.