Microwave activated carbon regeneration technology

Working principle: The polar material molecules adsorbed in the activated carbon will be induced in the microwave field to generate dipole turning polarization, and the electromagnetic field energy can be converted into heat energy. The water and organic substances adsorbed in the pores are heated to volatilize, decompose and carbonize. The pores of the activated carbon are reopened. At the same time, the activated carbon itself should absorb the microwave to heat up, burn off a part of the charcoal, and enlarge the pore diameter, so that the activated carbon can be restored to the original adsorption activity.

There are many methods for regeneration of activated carbon. Among various regeneration methods, microwave regeneration has a very broad application prospect. It is a technology that has been gradually developed on the basis of the thermal regeneration method. Most of the substances adsorbed by activated carbon have the ability to absorb microwaves and convert microwave energy into polar substances of heat. The adsorbed material can be desorbed, charred, and oxidized at a high temperature, and separated from the activated carbon to achieve regeneration. Compared with the traditional high-temperature regeneration method, microwave radiation regeneration has the advantages of short reaction time, low loss of activated carbon, high regeneration efficiency, and the production of activated carbon with micropores.

The microwave irradiation regeneration of activated carbon is mainly divided into four processes: heating and drying of wet carbon; decomposition and desorption of adsorbate; diffusion of adsorbate; heating and activation of dry carbon. Compared with the conventional thermal regeneration, it has a short time consumption and high regeneration efficiency, and can generate activated carbon with micropores. Microwave-recycled activated carbon, as an efficient, energy-saving and time-saving recycling technology, shows great potential and advantages.