Evaluation of Chemically Regenerated Activated Carbon (sparac) for Sugar Decolourisation

Norit Carbon has developed a chemically regenerable activated carbon (SPARAC) that is suitable for sugar decolourisation. Previous evaluation of this activated carbon showed promising results, and Norit developed another grade of SPARAC that had faster adsorption kinetics. This carbon has been evaluated in terms of its colour removal performance after successive regenerations. Decolourisation trials were performed at the SMRI using brown liquor and a pilot plant supplied by Norit. The effects of suspended solids, different regeneration techniques and different throughputs on carbon performance were investigated. Results show that, although there is a large-drop off in carbon performance after the virgin cycle, fairly constant performance is obtained after further regenerations. The design of a larger scale pilot plant, based on the test data, is also discussed.