RDX Removal from Waste Water Using Adsorption on Activated Carbon

In this article, the novel treatment scheme for RDX removal from waste water using activated carbon column is described. The experimental results of activated carbon fixed bed with a diameter of 10 mm and length of 30 mm were used to design the real adsorption column with 300 mm length and same superficial velocity by scale up method. Using this method, breakthrough time of large bed was predicted to be about two months and after this time, flow to the bed stops and regeneration process begins. Also, internal and external mass transfer coefficients in this process have been calculated which were 0.0114 (1/s) and 0.084 (1/s), respectively. These values indicate that diffusion into the pore space of adsorbent is the limiting parameter of mass transfer. Results of this investigation can be used in the design of adsorption column for the removal of RDX from waste water.