Process for renewing the adsorptive capacity of a bed of active carbon

Abstract

Disclosed is a process for renewing the adsorptive capacity of a bed of active carbon by electrochemical adsorbate transformation. This process comprises the steps of contacting a bed of carbon with an effluent containing at least one hydroxyaromatic compound containing at least one OH group joined directly to the aromatic ring until an appreciable amount of the compound is adsorbed onto the bed of carbon. A conductive solution is then introduced to the bed of carbon and the carbon is made the positive potential of an electrolytic cell. A positive potential is applied to the bed of carbon which is sufficient enough to transform the compound into a species which has either a high affinity for the carbon or a low affinity for the conducting solution, with the potential being less than that required for complete oxidation of the compound. The applied potential is then withdrawn and effluent containing at least one hydroxyaromatic compound is reintroduced to the bed of carbon. This procedure is repeated until the bed of carbon is no longer able to remove additional compounds from the effluent.