Aqueous Chlorine/Activated Carbon Interactions

Abstract
The interaction between chlorine and activated carbon is investigated using a group of organic compounds which span the range of polarity from moderately polar to very polar. For the four polarity probes—nitromethane, methyl ethyl ketone, n‐butanol, and 1,4‐dioxane—oxidation of the carbon surface with chlorine significantly reduced their equilibrium adsorption capacities. The adsorption isotherms for urea using oxidized and virgin activated carbon were not significantly different. A significant decrease in the adsorption capacity of activated carbon in column studies was demonstrated for an increase in the amount of chlorine reduced on the carbon surface. The results of this study suggests that if large slugs of oxidants are allowed to be reduced on the carbon surface, the adsorption efficiency of the affected carbon columns will be reduced. Reduced adsorption efficiencies will necessitate more frequent regeneration cycles, which will increase operating costs and may expose consumers to higher‐than‐expect...