Adsorption characteristics of carbonaceous adsorbents for organic pollutants in a model incineration exhaust gas

Adsorption characteristics of carbonaceous adsorbents were examined using 1,2,3,4-tetrachlorobenzene, naphthalene and 2,4,6-tribromophenol as adsorbates. The breakthrough and equilibrium adsorption characteristics were evaluated using laboratory-scale adsorption test equipment. A micropore volume of diameter less than 2 nm is the most important factor governing the adsorption capacity of all adsorbates. A kinetic analysis was performed and the adsorption behavior of the adsorbates was analyzed. Diffusion within porous particles controls the adsorption rate in this system, and the diffusion process is a function of pore diffusion. The operating conditions in working incineration facility adsorbers were reviewed and the breakthrough time of these adsorbents in actual adsorbers was estimated using the mass transfer zone method. Information on the optimal operating conditions of adsorbers was derived from the adsorption breakthrough characteristics.