Advanced Oxidation Processes for Activated Carbon Regeneration: From Fundamental to Application

Activated carbon (AC) is a cornerstone in water treatment technologies and is renowned for its robust ability to eliminate a wide range of contaminants. However, the adsorption capability of AC diminishes over time and eventually reaches saturation. Given environmental and economic considerations, the regeneration of spent AC emerges as a preferable option. Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) have been considered a promising approach for spent AC regeneration due to their high efficiency in degrading organic pollutants. This review provides an overview of established AOPs technologies for AC regeneration, elucidating their regeneration mechanisms and key influencing factors. A critical comparison of physicochemical transformations in postregeneration AC and the regeneration efficiency through various AOPs technologies is presented. Moreover, the review addresses some common overlooks in AC regeneration experimental designs and explores the scalability of AOPs regeneration technologies. Finally, future research directions were suggested to improve the AOPs-based regeneration technologies.