Pollutant Adsorption onto Activated Carbon Membranes

Abstract

Filtration of polluted aqueous solutions is performed by activated carbon membranes. The adsorption capacities are determined in batch reactors. Classic models are applied and kinetic constants are calculated. A comparison with grains and powders of activated carbon is made. The performances of the membranes in continously fed reactors are also studied. The breakthrough curves are plotted for different concentrations of organic compounds and fluid velocities. A simple model of mass transfer into the porous volume of the membrane is put forward and used to predict the outlet concentrations as a function of time. The model parameters are correlated to the fluid velocities and the inlet concentrations.