Application of granulated activated carbon packed-bed reactor in microwave radiation field to treat BTX

A process applying granulated activated carbon (GAC) to adsorb benzene, toluene and xylene (BTX) and using microwave (MW) energy to treat the BTX adsorbed by GAC was developed. Benzene at 20.0 mg/L, toluene at 30.0 mg/L, xylene at 24.6 mg/L and BTX at 13.4 mg/L (adsorbed by GAC) could be treated to a non-detectable level in a microwave radiation field. Only residual HZO and CO2 were detected. GAC reacted from microwave energy created an “arcing” between GAC particles.The arcing became more and more vigorous and achieved a red flame of GAC in four minutes.The temperature of this GAC was estimated to be at in the range of 1,200 to 1,800°C.