Microwave Process for VOC Abatement
Abstract
The CHA Corporation has completed a US Air Force Phase II Small Business Innovation Research program to investigate the feasibility of using a novel microwave-based process for the removal and destruction of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in effluents from non-combustion sources such as paint booth ventilation streams. Removal of solvents by adsorption followed by regeneration of saturated granular activated carbon (GAO) by microwave energy was accomplished in a single, fixed-bed reactor. Microwave regeneration of the saturated carbon in the fixed bed restored the original adsorption capacity of the GAO. During microwave regeneration the concentrated desorbed paint solvent was easily oxidized by passing the mixture of vapors through a fixed bed of an oxidation catalyst mixed with silicon carbide. After completing the fixed-bed pilot testing we assembled a pilot-scale continuous system and tested it during a three-month, continuous demonstration at McZClellan Air Force Base from 15 January to 16 April 1999. For this demonstration a 1OO-cfm stream of extracted soil vapors was continuously passed through the pilot system, and the airborne VOCs were removed. The success of this demonstration and piot-scale testing at CHA Corporation show the technical feasibility of using this system at an Air Force spray painting operation to continuously clean ventilation air. Laboratory and prototype test results were discussed.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 22, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADA383903
Entities
People
- C. T. Carlisle
- C. Y. Cha
- J. D. Wander