Grantee Research Project Results
Carbon Adsorption/Membrane Regeneration Hybrid System
EPA Contract Number: 68D30081Title: Carbon Adsorption/Membrane Regeneration Hybrid System
Investigators: Lokhavdwala, Kaaid
Small Business: Membrane Technology and Research Inc.
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: II
Project Period: September 1, 1993 through March 1, 1995
Project Amount: $150,000
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase II (1993) Recipients Lists
Research Category: SBIR - Air Pollution , Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) , Air Quality and Air Toxics
Description:
Current and future legislation will require U.S. industry to treat many low-concentration, organic solvent-containing air streams now being discharged to the atmosphere. Although carbon adsorption is a cost-effective, efficient treatment process for such streams, the regeneration step used to remove adsorbed organic from the carbon presents problems. Membrane Technology & Research, Inc., is developing a hybrid carbon adsorption/membrane vapor separation process that uses a membrane vapor separation system to regenerate the carbon bed. The organic compound is recovered as a pure product; secondary waste streams are eliminated. In the proposed process, both the carbon adsorption and membrane vapor separation technologies operate in their most favorable range.
The Phase I program demonstrated the feasibility of the hybrid carbon adsorption/membrane vapor separation process. The process was evaluated by using a small carbon drum to represent the carbon bed and a pilot-scale membrane system as the regeneration unit. The laboratory data were used to prepare an optimum process design and an economic and technical analysis. The analysis showed the process offers substantial operating cost advantages compared with steam regeneration. In Phase II, a 1,000-scfm proof-of-concept system will be constructed and operated in the laboratory and at a field site.
Supplemental Keywords:
Sustainable Industry/Business, RFA, Air, Scientific Discipline, Technology for Sustainable Environment, Chemical Engineering, Engineering, Chemistry, Sustainable Environment, Engineering, Chemistry, & Physics, cleaner production/pollution prevention, air toxics, New/Innovative technologies, removal, Chlorine, emissions, pollution prevention, treatment, recycling, membrane technology, membrane vapor separation, emission controls, innovative technologies, air emissions, chlorinated alkanes, emission control technologies, recovery, air pollutants, ozone depleting chemicals, pollution control technologies, membrane technology , gas treatment, air pollution, innovative technology, ozone depletionProgress and Final Reports:
SBIR Phase I:
Carbon Adsorption/Membrane Regeneration Hybrid SystemThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.