Persulfate oxidation of MTBE- and chloroform-spent granular activated carbon

► Thermal-activation of persulfate resulted in greater MTBE removal than either alkaline-activation or H2O2-persulfate binary mixtures. ► More frequent, lower volume applications of persulfate solution, higher solid/solution ratio (g GAC mL−1 solution), and higher persulfate concentration (mass loading) were optimal in MTBE oxidation and removal. ► CF oxidation was more effective in URV GAC compared to F400 GAC. ► Collectively, these results are consistent with a conceptual model in which the intraparticle MTBE diffusion rate is the rate limiting factor in chemical regeneration of GAC.