While in use, activated carbons adsorb different compounds and finally lose all or part of their adsorption capacity. They must then be replaced by fresh carbon, and then be recycled or eliminated.

In the case of granulated carbon, a regeneration process may be considered to restore the used product's initial properties and thereby reactivate it. This is an economical solution, as reactivated carbon is cheaper than virgin carbon.

The success of this process depends on its implementation at the optimal time, minimizing the time that the filters are interrupted and restoring carbon which has the desired qualities. The monitoring service offered by PICA (see Technical support) provides for removal of activated carbon from the client site at the optimal time and transport to a PICA expert site for reactivation, with return of the material to the client in a short time.

Process experience and expertise (to avoid the risk of combustion and to provide reactivation limited to the surface) combined with solid logistics (PICA has x transport trucks) contributes greatly to the success of the operation.

Recycling:

• In cases where carbon saturation is too great to allow for reactivation, the GAC is transported to a PICA expert site in order to determine if it can be used for another application. PICA provides a recycling certificate.

• If its qualities don't lend themselves to "reconversion," PICA takes responsibility for the carbon and it is sent for destruction as cement plant waste. In that case, PICA provides an industrial waste monitoring certificate.