Column studies on the adsorption of arsenate from water by cetyltrimethylammonium chloride-modified activated carbon and its regeneration
CTAC改性活性炭去除水中砷(V)的柱实验吸附和再生研究

This study investigated the effect of cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC)-modified activated carbon on the adsorption of As(V) from water. The purpose was to develop an adsorbent that could be cost-effective for As(V) removal. Rapid small column tests (RSSCTs) were set up to test the adsorption capacity for arsenic of the CTAC- modified carbon. Factors that could affect the adsorption capacity and regeneration method when carbon was exhausted were also investigated. Results indicated that CTAC modification greatly improved activated carbon's adsorption for arsenic. However, arsenic adsorption was dependent on influent pH, empty bed contact time, influent arsenic concentration and presence of interfering ions in water. 1 mol·L-1 of hydrochloric acid solution was sufficient to regenerate the activated carbon after arsenic breakthrough. Activated carbon thus regenerated could be reused. In addition, monitoring of effluent CTAC during RSSCT tests revealed that the adsorbed CTAC attached strongly to carbon surface.