Electro-Activation of Granular Carbon from Olive Mill Solid Residue

A technique for activation of granular activated carbon (GAC) is presented based on the electrochemical method. In this study, we investigate the effectiveness of the electroactivated GAC in removing phenol from water and determine the optimum conditions for activation. Electro-activation of the GAC appears to be an interesting technique; it requires a short electro-activation time Ta = 30 min and an optimum potential ranging from +200 mV/SCE to 400 mV/SCE. Phenol adsorption isotherms gave a limiting adsorption capacity Qm dependent on the applied potential, which at potential E=+300 mV/SCE was improved by about 55%, giving Qm = 75 mgphenol g−1 GAC.