Reactivation and Regeneration of Used Activated Carbon

Reactivation of used activated carbon (especially granular and formed carbon) mainly accomplished by steam treatment analogously to activation 

Solvent vapor-saturated gas purification activated carbon is regenerated with steam 

Activated carbon utilized for gas purification, e.g. for the adsorption of solvent vapor, can be regenerated by desorption with steam at 120 to 140°C. The activated carbon then has to be dried. In special cases other types of regeneration are possible. 

Activated carbon is generally used as granules or as a powder, the use of granular activated carbon slightly exceeding that of the powdered material. In Western 

Europe increasing quantities of extruded activated carbon cylinders are being produced, 2 to 12 mm in length and 0.8 to 5 mm thick. Japanese manufacturers supply thin activated carbon fibers in small quantities ( 1000 t/a). 

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