Modeling and simulations of the removal of formaldehyde using silver nano-particles attached to granular activated carbon

► Silver nano-particles were attached onto the surface of GAC for the simultaneous catalytic oxidation and adsorption reactions of formaldehyde. ► By the silver nano-particles, formaldehyde oxidation to carbon dioxide as expressed as pseudo-first-order. ► The nano-particle deposits reduced the available surface area of the GAC and blocked the openings of the micro-pores. ► The modified numerical model yielded an accurate prediction of the performance of the Ag-GAC. ► Depending on the surface coverage ratio, the factions of catalytic oxidation and the formaldehyde mass removed were proportionally changed.