Activated carbon has a rich microporous structure (with a specific surface area of 500-2000 m²/g) and huge adsorption capacity, capturing solvent molecules through physical adsorption (van der Waals forces) and chemical adsorption (action of surface functional groups).
Types of Recoverable Solvents
| Solvent Category | Typical Examples | Application Scenarios |
|---|---|---|
| Aromatic Hydrocarbons | Benzene, Toluene, Xylene | Production of Paints, Coatings, and Printing Inks |
| Aliphatic Hydrocarbons | Hexane, Heptane | Oil Extraction, Rubber Processing |
| Halogenated Hydrocarbons | Dichloromethane, Carbon Tetrachloride | Pharmaceutical Synthesis, Dry – Cleaning Industry |
| Alcohols | Ethanol, Isopropyl Alcohol | Solvent Recovery in Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Industries |
| Ketones/Esters | Acetone, Ethyl Acetate | Production of Adhesives, Recovery of Coating Thinners |