Reactivation

Return and reactivation of activated carbon

When activated coal is saturated (or the intended aim of the treatment has been reached), it can be reactivated to a reusable qualitative product. Reactivation is done by heating the spent activated carbon to 900°C. During this process the adsorbed organic substances are thermally destroyed.

Reactivation or valorisation

In the past spent activated carbon was treated as a waste product that was valorised as fuel for the cement industry (whether or not after conditioning). Reactivation and reuse of activated carbon means a substantial ecological and economic advantage. Depending on the load of the carbon reactivation is not always possible even today and spent activated carbon is sometimes still valorised in this manner.

Desotec reactivation

Since April 2009 Desotec Activated Carbon N.V. has had two of the most modern ovens for the reactivation of activated carbon in Europe; the first in Flanders. The pyrolysis-based thermal reactivation oven is built in accordance with the latest technologies and meets the most stringent environmental standards.

Conditions for the return of activated carbon

The return of spent activated carbon is subject to certain acceptance procedures:

• a sample of the carbon is analysed prior to the reactivation;
• it is necessary to complete an identification form;
• in the case of international transportation of activated carbon for reactivation purposes a contract is drawn up and the necessary documents are prepared for the authorities.