Adsorption onto activated carbon fibers: Application to water and air treatments

The adsorption of polluted fluids is performed by activated carbon fibers (ACF). The adsorption is carried out in batch and in dynamic reactors. Classic models are applied and kinetic constants are computed. Results show that the performance of ACF is significantly higher than that of granular activated carbon (GAC) in terms of adsorption rate and selectivity for micropollutants. The breakthrough curves obtained with ACF adsorbers are particularly steep. suggesting a smaller mass transfer resistance than with GAC. The adsorption zone in the ACF bed is about 3.4 mm and is not really dependent on the water flow rate within the studied range. Applications are developed in water and air treatments. Examples are given in the micropollutants removal cf an aqueous solution. Air loaded with VOC is treated by fibers. Regeneration of this material is performed by heating by the Joule effect or electromagnetic induction. These approaches to water or air treatment processes are successfully put to use. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.