Regeneration of Activated Carbon Loaded with Cyclohexane Using Supercritical Carbon Dioxide: Experimental Results and Modeling

Abstract

Abstract Regeneration of granular activated carbon loaded with cyclohexane by supercritical carbon dioxide was investigated at varying temperatures and pressures. Cyclohexane concentration‐time profiles were measured by means of a supercritical extraction apparatus coupled with an online GC analyzer. The maximum yield of regeneration was 68 % at 55 °C and 140 bar. A mathematical model was proposed which agreed well with the experimental data. Both the Toth and the Langmuir‐Freundlich isotherms were used as adsorption isotherms under equilibrium condition. The mathematical model for activated carbon regeneration was able to adjust the experimental data with relative absolute average deviations of about 4 % and 3.25 %, respectively, for the Toth and the Langmuir‐Freundlich isotherms.