4.

55 VAPOR-PHASE CARBON ADSORPTION

Description: Vapor-phase carbon adsorption is a remediation technology in which pollutants are removed from air by physical adsorption onto activated carbon grains. Carbon is "activated" for this purpose by processing the carbon to create porous particles with a large internal surface area (300 to 2,500 square meters or 3,200 to 27,000 square feet per gram of carbon) that attracts and adsorbs organic molecules as well as certain metal and inorganic molecules.

4-55 TYPICAL VAPOR-PHASE CARBON ADSORPTION SYSTEM

Commercial grades of activated carbon are available for specific use in vapor-phase applications. The granular form of activated carbon is typically used in packed beds through which the contaminated air flows until the concentration of contaminants in the effluent from the carbon bed exceeds an acceptable level. Granular-activated carbon (GAC) systems typically consist of one or more vessels filled with carbon connected in series and/or parallel operating under atmospheric, negative, or positive pressure. The carbon can then be regenerated in place, regenerated at an off-site regeneration facility, or disposed of, depending upon economic considerations. Carbon can be used in conjunction with steam reforming. Steam reforming is a technology designed to destroy halogenated solvents (such as carbon tetrachloride, CCl4, and chloroform, CHCl3 ) adsorbed on activated carbon by reaction with superheated steam (steam reforming) in a commercial reactor (the Synthetica Detoxifier). Applicability: Vapor-phase carbon adsorption is not recommended to remove high contaminant concentrations from the effluent air streams. Economics favor pretreatment of the VOC stream, followed by the use of a vapor-phase GAC system as a polishing step. Limitations: Factors that may limit the effectiveness of this process include:
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Spent carbon must be disposed of and the adsorbed contaminants must be destroyed, often by thermal treatment. Relative humidity greater than 50% can reduce carbon capacity. Elevated temperatures from SVE pumps (greater than 38 C or 100 F) inhibit adsorption capacity. Biological growth on carbon or high particulate loadings can reduce flow through the bed. Some compounds, such as ketones, may cause carbon bed fires because of their high heat release upon adsorption.

Data Needs:

A detailed discussion of these data elements is provided in Subsection 2.2.3 (Data Requirements for Air Emissions/Off-Gases). Factors that affect adsorption are temperature, pH, type, and pore size of the carbon, the type and concentration of the contaminant, residence time in the bed, and, in gas phase adsorption, temperature and humidity. At high temperatures, the volatility of compounds increases, thus reducing their affinity for carbon. Adsorption of organic acids such as benzoic acid generally decreases with increasing pH. Basic compounds are adsorbed better at high pH. Activated carbon is available from manufacturers in a variety of grades with different properties and affinities for adsorption of contaminants. Thus, it is often necessary to conduct adsorption tests with a particular contaminated stream on a variety of activated carbons from several manufacturers to identify a carbon that will be most effective for a particular application.

Performance Data:

For gaseous systems, linear bed velocities typically range between 8 and 100 feet per minute, although velocities as high as 200 feet per minute have been used, and residence times range from one tenth of a second to a minute. If only one or two contaminants are of concern in the wastestream and there is little or no contamination from natural organic materials, a batch isotherm test is usually sufficient to design the system (i.e., determine system size and carbon usage). It is also possible to use historical column test data that are available from vendors for a wide assortment of contaminants to obtain initial design estimates and to corroborate test results. Isotherm tests can also be used to compare different carbons and to investigate the effects of pH and temperature on carbon performance. If the use of regenerated carbon is planned, tests should be performed with regenerated carbon to obtain a more realistic estimate of the average adsorptive capacity that can be expected during operation. Regenerated carbon costs less but tends to have a lower adsorptive capacity than virgin carbon.

Cost:

Equipment costs range from less than $1,000 for a 100-scfm unit to $40,000 for a 7,000-scfm unit. Carbon cost is $2 to $3 per pound.

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References:

EPA, 1991. Granular Activated Carbon Treatment, Engineering Bulletin, EPA, OERR, Washington, DC, EPA/540/2-91/024. Hinshaw, G.D., C.B. Fanska, D.E. Fiscus, and S.A. Sorensen, Midwest Research Institute, Undated. Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) System Performance Capabilities and Optimization, Final Report, USAEC, APG, MD, MRI Project No. 81812-S, Report No. AMXTH-TE-CR87111. Available from NTIS, Springfield, VA, Order No. ADA179828.

Points of Contact:
Contact Beth Fleming Government Agency USAE-WES Phone (601) 634-3943 Location 3909 Halls Ferry Road Vicksburg, MS 391806199 26 West M.L. King Dr. Cincinnati, OH 45268 SFIM-AEC-ETD APG, MD 21010-5401 EM-551, Trevion II Washington, DC 20585

Ron Turner Technology Demonstration and Transfer Branch David Biancosino Program Manager

EPA RREL USAEC DOE

(513) 569-7775 (410) 671-2054 Fax: (410) 612-6836 (301) 903-7961

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