Electrically regenerable carbon monolithic adsorptionsystem for the recovery and recycle of volatile organicchemicals (VOCs)

摘要

The paper describes a novel technology for the cost effective recovery and recycle of VOCsusing electrically conducting carbon monolithic adsorbents. The monoliths are produced fromphenolic resin precursors using a binderless process that allows independent control of thecell/pore structure. Ll/The monolithic carbon adsorbents showed equivalent dichloromethaneadsorption capacities to granular activated carbons on a % w/w adsorbed basis. Thermalcycling tests on a multi-monolith reactor system demonstrated that the carbon adsor adsorbents bents canbe rapidly heated to the required regeneration temperature (423-473K), allowing cycle timesof ca. 30 min with a power demand of 160 W/metre monolith. Compared to the cycle timesof several hours associated with conventional granular adsorbent beds, this gives rise to adramatic reduction in carbon bed size. As a consequence, the adsorption beds will operate atvery high linear velocities but at a pressure drop consistent with the direct use of the beds inair conditioning ductwork with no additional gas compression. Onal The solvent vapour isremoved essentially dry and can be condensed using conventional chiller systems. Thesimplicity of operation means that the systems are ideally suited to use in smaller facilities(up to 10,000 m3/h), although the technology is capable of being used in much largerapplications. The technology benefits from low CO2 emissions associated with efficientsolvent recovery, allowing for a payback of the control system.