Application of granular activated carbon packed-bed reactor in microwave radiation field to treat phenol

Abstract

A process applying granular activated carbon (GAC) to adsorb phenol and using microwave (MW) energy to treat the phenol adsorbed by GAC is successfully to be created. The GAC adsorption of phenol has a maximum value at 400 mg/L for 220 mg/g of GAC. Phenol of 5.0 and 50.0 mg/L (adsorbed by GAC) are able to be treated to a non-detectable level with GAC-packed-bed reactor system in microwave radiation field. The residual for a complete decomposition detected is H2O and CO2 only. A comparison of single- and double-stage GAC-packed-bed system shows that the double-stage system has a higher efficiency than that of the single-stage one. It is becomes more obvious while the concentration of phenol increases to a higher level (50 mg/L).