Regeneration of spent organoclays after the sorption of organic pollutants: A review

J Environ Manage. 2009 Aug;90(11):3212-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2009.06.015. Epub 2009 Jul 28.

Abstract

Clay minerals modified with organic ions, also known as organoclays, have found applications in a wide range of organic pollution control fields because of their excellent sorption capacity towards organic pollutants. Regeneration of the spent organoclays after the sorption of organic pollutants is of great importance during their application in pollution control. In this review, the reported methods for the regeneration of the spent organoclays are summarized, including biological degradation, photo-assisted oxidation, chemical extraction/desorption, supercritical extraction, thermal desorption, et al. The characteristics and applications of these methods are briefly described. It shows that most of these methods have been developed for regenerating spent organoclays from wastewater treatment. The biological regeneration method, as an in situ, low cost and easy-operating method, is applicable for regenerating spent organoclays not only from wastewater treatment, but also from soil and groundwater remediation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adsorption
  • Aluminum Silicates*
  • Clay
  • Environmental Monitoring
  • Soil Pollutants / chemistry
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / chemistry*

Substances

  • Aluminum Silicates
  • Soil Pollutants
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • Clay