Use of Activated Carbon Fiber for Direct Removal of Iodine from Acetic Acid Solution

Activated carbon fiber was used as a new adsorbent for direct removal of iodine and iodide compounds from acetic acid solutions under static and dynamic conditions. In aqueous solution as well as in acetic acid, methanol, or ethanol, activated carbon fiber showed excellent iodine removal efficiency, superior to that of activated carbon, silica gel, alumina, NaY zeolite, Ag ion-exchanged NaY, and Ag ion-exchanged Amberlyst XN1010. Water was a promoter for the removal of iodine on activated carbon fiber. The amount of iodine removed followed the reverse order of solubility of iodine in the solution. Activated carbon fiber could be used as an iodine removal adsorbent without significant change in the removal efficiency over a wide range of iodine concentration and contact time. The activated carbon fiber used was completely regenerated by He flushing above 200 °C. In addition to the excellent iodine removal characteristics, activated carbon fiber showed a good performance in the removal of iodide compounds such as hydrogen iodide.