Organic vapor recovery and energy efficiency during electric regeneration of an activated carbon fiber cloth adsorber

Katherine D. Dombrowski, Christopher M.B. Lehmann, Patrick D. Sullivan, David Ramirez, Mark J. Rood, K. James Hay

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

An electrothermal-swing adsorption system was demonstrated on the bench scale for capture and recovery of organic vapors from air streams. Methyl propyl ketone (MPK), methyl ethyl ketone, n-hexane, acetone, and methylene chloride were removed and recovered at 200-1,020 ppm, in a 40.0 slpm air stream while using activated carbon fiber cloth (ACFC) adsorbent. Removal efficiencies were greater than 99.9%. Liquid recovery fractions increased with increasing relative pressure, ranging from 0.11 for methylene chloride (P/Psat=2.1 × 10-3) to greater than 0.80 for MPK (P/Psat= 2.2 × 10-2). The electrical energy consumed during regeneration per mol of liquid organic compound recovered decreased with increasing relative pressure of the inlet gas stream, ranging from 4,698 kJ/mol for methylene chloride to 327 kJ/mol for MPK. Equilibrium ACFC adsorption capacity, throughput ratio, and length of unused bed were also evaluated. These results are encouraging for the development of a new technology to capture and readily recover a wide range of organic vapors from air streams.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)268-275
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Environmental Engineering
Volume130
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2004

Keywords

  • Activated carbon filters
  • Adsorption
  • Air pollution
  • Chlorides
  • Regeneration
  • Volatile organic chemicals

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Environmental Engineering
  • Environmental Chemistry
  • Civil and Structural Engineering
  • General Environmental Science

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