Tailored activated carbons as catalysts in biodecolourisation of textile azo dyes

Anaerobic reduction of two textile azo dyes (Orange II and Reactive Black 5) was investigated in upflow stirred packed-bed reactors (USPBRs) with biological activated carbon (BAC) system. The bioreactors were prepared with tailored activated carbons (ACs) having different textural properties and various surface chemistries. A kinetic model proposed previously was able to describe the catalytic azo reduction in all cases. Decolourisation with very high reduction rates took place in the case of each AC. Best dye removals were ensured by the AC having the highest surface area: conversion values above 88% were achieved in the case of both azo dyes at a space time of 0.23 min or higher, corresponding to a very short hydraulic residence time of about 0.30 min at the most. The decolourisation rates were found to be significantly influenced by the textural properties of AC and moderately affected by its surface chemistry. The results confirmed the catalytic effects of carbonyl/quinone sites and, in addition, delocalized π-electrons seemed to play a role in the catalytic reduction in the absence of surface oxygen groups.