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Activated Carbon
Activated carbon is acknowledged for its versatility as a tried and tested adsorbent with a wide range of applications. Organic compounds are retained on the surface of the carbon by weak intermolecular forces - (Van der Waals forces).
Historically, the ancient egyptians used charcoal (the precursor of activated carbon) ostensibly for medical purposes in around 1500BC. The Romans also used charcoal to purify water and beer. Activated carbon filters were used during the First World War to protect against chemical weapons. During the 1930s The Company (then known as Sutcliffe Speakman & Co. Ltd.) was a pioneer the use of activated carbon for the recovery of Solvents from both liquid and gaseous industrial effluents.
Activated carbon is manufactured by the controlled burning of such carbon rich materials as coal, wood, and nut shell, and is then either steam or chemically activated to develop the internal pore structure still further. Many activated carbons have internal surface areas in the region of 1200mē per gram. It is this enormous area which readily makes them effective adsorbents.
Once a carbon filter has become saturated it may then be disposed of; as is the case with the SC PROTECT range of filters - or the absorber can be regenerated. In the regeneration process the solvent is recovered from the adsorber for either disposal or re-use and the adsorber bed prepared for its re-use.
SC PROTECT V Adsorber - storage tank ventilation
(Toxic Gas and Odour Control application).
Product Disposal
Non-regenerable systems; plain activated carbon filters are used for odour control or where the concentration of the VOC is very small. When its effective lifespan is complete the carbon is disposed of. Applications for carbon filters have included amongst many others the removal of:
Toluene di-isocyanate in polyurethane foam manufacture
Acid gases in waste water treatment works
General odours
Adsorber Regeneration
Adsorption
Solvent (VOC) laden air from the process is first conditioned and then moved through a bed of activated carbon which is installed in a vessel known as an adsorber. The solvent is adsorbed onto the carbon surface leaving clean air to pass to atmosphere.
Eventually, solvent is detected in the system exhaust stream by a gas analyser. The carbon bed is then regenerated.
Regeneration - Solvent Recovery
Sutcliffe Speakman offers the following types of regeneration technology:
Steam Regeneration
Nitrogen Regeneration
Steam strips the solvent or VOC from the carbon. The resulting vapours are then cooled prior to separation and recovery or disposal. Once the carbon has been steamed, it is important that it is dried and cooled prior to it being returned to the adsorption mode, if emission limits are to be maintained and recovery optimised.
This method is typically used in the following applications:
where immiscible solvents such as hydrocarbons are to be recovered for reuse.
where mixed solvents are to be recovered for disposal
Steam Regeneration
Nitrogen Regeneration
Hot nitrogen is used to desorb the solvent from the carbon, water desorbed at the same time is removed prior to the solvent being condensed.
This ensures a dry product and eliminates the waste water streams associated with steam regenerable systems.
This method of recovery is available for the recovery of water miscible solvents, minimising additional separation requirements.
Know How
The Company has secured their specialised know-how and technology from Dr. Guiseppe Caroprese of Milan, Italy, who was a party to the original 1983 patent for the technology.
Dr. Caroprese has and continues to introduce many commercially and technically driven improvements to the technology, during his participation in the design and construction of fourteen european plants.