Energy efficient indoor VOC air cleaning with activated carbon fiber (ACF) filters

Abstract

This study explores the potential environmental and energy benefits of using activated carbon fiber (ACF) filters for air cleaning in HVAC systems. The parallel aims for the air cleaning system were to enable reduced indoor exposures to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and to simultaneously allow reduced rates and energy consumption for outdoor-air ventilation. We evaluated the use of ACF media to adsorb VOCs from indoor air during repeated simulated 12-hour to 24-hour periods of occupancy. In a cyclic regeneration process, VOCs were desorbed from the ACF media and vented outdoors to enable the next cycle of air cleaning. The VOC removal efficiency of the ACF media was measured using a 9.5-cm 2 ACF specimen exposed to a mixture of VOCs that included toluene, benzene, o-xylene, 1-butanol, limonene, undecane and formaldehyde at 29 o C and 30% relative humidity. The concentrations of these model pollutants upstream of the ACF media were in the range 20 to 30 ppb, to simulate realistic conditions.Velocities through the ACF media were typical of those in normal particle filter systems (~0.5 m

Application of Fibrous Activated Carbon Filter in Continuous-Flow Unit for Removal of Volatile Organic Compounds under Simulated Indoor Conditions

“…For the mixed VOCs, the adsorption capacity would likely be lower due to competitive adsorption of different VOC molecules (Sidheswaran et al, 2011). In contrast, the sum (250 mg) of the BTEX masses adsorbed onto 1 g of FAC obtained from the present study under the 45% RH conditions was higher than the sum of the six VOC mixture (BTX, 1-butanol, undecane, and formaldehyde) masses (90.7 mg) per gram of FAC reported by Sidheswaran et al (2012) under 30% RH. This difference is ascribed to differences in experimental parameters, such as the characteristics of FACs and the nature of the VOC mixture.…”

“…However, despite its widespread utilization, GAC is hampered by the highpressure drop that occurs as a result of air flow through the packed media. Fibrous activated carbon (FAC) is a recent alternative adsorbent that overcomes this drawback (Sidheswaran et al, 2012). In addition, FAC has a larger specific surface area than GAC, higher adsorption capacity, faster equilibrium for adsorption, and low pressure drop (Das et al, 2004;Fournel et al, 2005;Lorimier et al, 2005;Tsai et al, 2008).…”

“…Therefore, studies to confirm whether the patterns previously obtained at high IC conditions were still applicable to those of low indoor air quality (IAQ) levels were conducted. Although, Sidheswaran et al (2012) reported that FAC could be employed to effectively control VOCs at IAQ levels, their study was carried out to explore the application of FACs to VOC cleaning in building HVAC systems, but not for portable indoor air cleaning devices.…”

Burner Characteristics for Activated Carbon Production

“…It respective to the energy loses and it is improved by increasing charcoal yield and make more efficient palm tree plantation in Malaysia since it very abundant ( Figure 1) [4]. According to previous researchers [5][6][7][8][9][10][11] they have produce activated carbon for air and water filter using laboratory burner and conventional burner which is not based on air flow, thermal flow calculation and not completed by fume handling system. Therefore, the conventional activated carbon is produced by high cost operation and longtime production as well as not environmental friendly.…”

A hybrid biological process of indoor air treatment for toluene removal

“…Conversely, only a few studies have dealt with concentrations in the range of those found indoors. Toluene could be efficiently removed by adsorption onto activated carbon (Sidheswaran et al, 2012;Yao et al, 2012;Reguer et al, 2011).…”