Characterization, regeneration and reutilization of activated carbon used in medical care services for haemodialysis and in clinical laboratory systems: A management prospective approach. (R-8541)

This PhD proposal fits perfectly within the strategic research profile of TANC, NuTeC and in one of the two UH sub-projects (P5) within a big VLIR-UOS project with UO (Cuba). Beside 1) the use of AC in cleaning polluted aqueous solutions and 2) AC regeneration, 3) the production of AC from different organic rest streams using pyrolysis, this PhD research will generate new analytical techniques in characterising native, saturated and regenerated AC, partly to be compared with standard techniques. This new approach makes it possible to determine additional features of the AC, leading to a better understanding of its working principals and suggesting possible extra treatments in improving their use in these specific applications. Three different AC (being expensive and imported) used in the total concept of kidney dialysis will be researched: 1) AC for the production of ultra-pure water for clinical lab use, 2) AC for the production of dialysis water, and 3) AC used in hemoperfusion cartridges for cleaning directly toxic blood combined with a dialysis filter. The used AC are not tested on their saturation degree, nor regenerated and reused, but dumped, generating extra costs and an environmental problem. Beside the reuse of the different AC, the optimisation of the activation conditions to improve the characteristics of the AC towards these specific applications, this PhD research also tries to suggest alternative and safe AC materials. The goal is to valorise the obtained results in a more efficient and better use of the physical tools in the total kidney dialysis treatment.

Keywords:materials research

Disciplines:Analytical chemistry, Pharmaceutical analysis and quality assurance