Reactivated carbon is spent carbon that is recycled by being regenerated in a rotating kiln or a multiple hearth furnace. Once carbon is reactivated it can be used in place of new virgin carbon for aqueous and vapor applications to remove organics. The reactivation process ends the chain of custody for the adsorbed contaminants and a certificate of reactivation can be issued, protecting the company that reactived the carbon and the future consumer of the product.

Where can reactivated carbon be used?

Reactivated carbons can be used in all applications (both liquid and vapor phase) where virgin carbons have been traditionally used. Reactivated carbons are suitable for use in treatment of potable water, process water, wastewater and groundwater remediation.

Why should you consider using reactivated carbon for your application?

The single most important benefit of using reactivated carbon is cost savings. The process of carbon recycling reduces operating costs since the relative costs of reactivation are less than the cost of creating new, virgin carbon. In addition, some facilities also receive environmental credits issued by regulatory agencies for waste minimization.

Reactivated carbon has similar performance to new, virgin carbon.

Clients have found that reactivated carbons from Siemens Water Technologies are much more economical and provide very similar performance to virgin activated carbons.

Siemens Water Technologies has three types of reactivated carbon programs:

• React and Return - A highly controlled program where activated carbons are removed, reactivated, and returned for reuse to the same client. The carbon is segregated from other carbons during reactivation and storage. Virgin carbon is used to offset normal losses that occur during handling and reactiviation to ensure that 100% of the original carbon volume is returned to the customer.
  
• Pool Reactivation - Spent carbons are segregated and then pooled according to application type, vapor phase/liquid phase, and mesh size.  These pooled carbons can then be sold into many applications as a substitute for virgin carbons and to lower operating costs.

Contact us to Discuss Your Application
Recycling Spent Activated Carbon FAQ's (PDF)