Using microwave heating to improve the desorption efficiency of high molecular weight VOC from beaded activated carbon.
Incomplete regeneration of activated carbon loaded with organic compounds results in heel build-up that reduces the useful life of the adsorbent. In this study, microwave heating was tested as a regeneration method for beaded activated carbon (BAC) loaded with n-dodecane, a high molecular weight volatile organic compound. Energy consumption and desorption efficiency for microwave-heating regeneration were compared with conductive-heating regeneration. The minimum energy needed to completely regenerate the adsorbent (100% desorption efficiency) using microwave regeneration was 6% of that needed with conductive heating regeneration, owing to more rapid heating rates and lower heat loss. Analyses of adsorbent pore size distribution and surface chemistry confirmed that neither heating method altered the physical/chemical properties of the BAC. Additionally, gas chromatography (with flame ionization detector) confirmed that neither regeneration method detectably altered the adsorbate composition during desorption. By demonstrating improvements in energy consumption and desorption efficiency and showing stable adsorbate and adsorbent properties, this paper suggests that microwave heating is an attractive method for activated carbon regeneration particularly when high-affinity VOC adsorbates are present.
†University of Alberta, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Edmonton, AB T6G 2W2, Canada.
Mohammadreza
M
Fayaz
†University of Alberta, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Edmonton, AB T6G 2W2, Canada.
Pooya
P
Shariaty
†University of Alberta, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Edmonton, AB T6G 2W2, Canada.
John D
JD
Atkinson
†University of Alberta, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Edmonton, AB T6G 2W2, Canada.
Zaher
Z
Hashisho
‡Environmental Quality Office, Ford Motor Company, Dearborn, Michigan 48126, United States.
John H
JH
Phillips
§Research and Advanced Engineering, Ford Motor Company, Dearborn, Michigan 48121 United States.
James E
JE
Anderson
§Research and Advanced Engineering, Ford Motor Company, Dearborn, Michigan 48121 United States.
Mark
M
Nichols
D000473:Alkanes / Q000737:chemistry*; D002606:Charcoal / Q000737:chemistry*; D006361:Heating; D008872:Microwaves; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*
D000473:Alkanes; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds; C007548:n-dodecane; D002606:Charcoal