Ceramic-Bound Activated Carbon Honeycombs: Case Study Demonstrating Improved Solvent Concentrator Performance

摘要

In the continued effort to find improved means of abating exhaust air streams with low hydrocarbon concentrations, a ceramic-bound activated carbon honeycomb adsorbent media was developed. The new media was evaluated in a side-by-side study to show the relative performance of the ceramic and the paper media currently used in concentrators. Additional samples were subjected to a capacity and solvent retention analysis to demonstrate the impact of prolonged exposure on the efficiency of the different types of media. The ceramic media demonstrates a longer time to solvent breakthrough than the paper media. The high temperature stability and mesoporosity of ceramic media lead to more effective desorption, extending its lifetime. The ceramic media retains 90% of its capacity after 6 months of service compared to only 40% for the paper media. The ceramic media is capable of operating at nearly 100% relative humidity and higher air flow rates thus eliminating the costly need for dehumidification and increasing the airflow capacity in the concentrator. Using ceramic media at high humidity can reduce annual energy requirements by over 150,000 BTU per CFM of treated air. Overall, the ceramic media has greater capacity, lifetime, efficiency, and strength with lower energy requirement, environmental impact, and cost than the alternative paper media.