Grantee Research Project Results

Development of a Microwave-Induced On-Site Regeneration Technology for Advancing the Control of Mercury and VOC Emissions Employing Activated Carbon

EPA Grant Number: R831276C005
Subproject: this is subproject number 005 , established and managed by the Center Director under grant CR831276
(EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
Center: Gulf Coast HSRC (Lamar)
Center Director: Ho, Tho C.
Title: Development of a Microwave-Induced On-Site Regeneration Technology for Advancing the Control of Mercury and VOC Emissions Employing Activated Carbon
Investigators: Chu, Hsing-wei , Ho, Tho C. , Lin, Jerry
Institution: Lamar University
EPA Project Officer: Aja, Hayley
Project Period: December 1, 2003 through November 30, 2004
Project Amount: Refer to main center abstract for funding details.
RFA: Gulf Coast Hazardous Substance Research Center (Lamar University) (1996) RFA Text |  Recipients Lists
Research Category: Hazardous Waste/Remediation , Targeted Research

Objective:

The microwave destruction technology originally developed by Prof. Cha of the University of Wyoming and Dr. Kim of Dupont has demonstrated a higher than 97%o destruction efficiency for selected volatile organic compounds (VOC ). The technology employs activated carbon (AC) to adsorb VOC and then applies microwave irradiation to destruct the adsorbed VOC. The AC is simultaneously regenerated.

In this project, we propose to advance the technology for the on-site regeneration of mercury-loaded activated carbon and to characterize the by-products from the microwave VOC destruction process. Specifically, the proposed project is to carry out the following two investigations:

1. The experimental characterization of on-site regeneration efficiency of mercury-loaded AC upon microwave irradiation under various regeneration conditions, and the corresponding adsorption capability of the regenerated AC for continued mercury adsorption, and
2. The identification of destruction by-products from the microwave AC-VOC destruction process, and the corresponding adsorption capability of the regenerated AC for continued VOC adsorption.

Approach:

This project will involve three Co-PIs, Drs. Chu, Lin and Ho, from Lamar University in addition to Prof Cha (University of Wyoming) and Dr. Kim (Dupont) serving as project consultants. All three Lamar Co-PIs have extensive experience in mercury and VOC research and are well-qualified in carrying out the proposed research. The involvement of Prof Cha and Dr. Kim will significantly enhance the project in the effective and safe use of microwave energy. The PIs have recently completed a GCHSRC project on mercury adsorption employing activated carbon and the existing experimental facilities will be modified for the proposed project. In addition, the PIs have submitted a MRI proposal to NSF on January 23, 2003 (NSF MRI 0320818) to request a high-sensitivity GC/MS (gas chromatography mass spectrometry) to enhance our capabilities in VOC research. The requested GC/MS will be heavily involved in the second investigation of the proposed project to identify and characterize potential VOC by-products.

Expected Results:

The project will provide the following essential technical information for technology transfer:
1. The optimal microwave frequency and power lever for specific regeneration and destruction applications,
2. The correlation between microwave energy and AC temperature under specific operating conditions;
3. The effect of microwave application on the .AC's pore size distribution and BET surface area, and
4. The cost effectiveness of the microwave on-site regeneration process as compared to other regeneration processes including regeneration via high-temperature air or steam.

The project has a great potential to reduce the demand for fresh AC and significantly advance the activated carbon adsorption technology for the effective control of mercury and VOC emissions. The proposed technology transfer will be accomplished through technical reports, presentations, publications, workshops, short courses and computer package developments.

Publications and Presentations:

Publications have been submitted on this subproject: View all 3 publications for this subproject | View all 64 publications for this center

Journal Articles:

Journal Articles have been submitted on this subproject: View all 1 journal articles for this subproject | View all 18 journal articles for this center

Supplemental Keywords:

RFA, Scientific Discipline, Air, INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION, Waste, POLLUTANTS/TOXICS, Environmental Chemistry, air toxics, Chemicals, Analytical Chemistry, Hazardous Waste, Hazardous, Environmental Engineering, Engineering, Chemistry, & Physics, emission control strategies, hazardous waste treatment, mass spectrometry, emission control technologies, advanced treatment technologies, mercury, mercury emissions, air pollution control, VOC removal, VOCs, gas chromatography, emissions, remediation, airborne metals, activated carbon, microwave destruction technology, air pollution control technology, VOC emission controls, atmospheric mercury chemistry, VOC remediation, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), emissions contol engineering, air emissions, mercury removal, mercury abatement technology, microwave induced regeneration

Progress and Final Reports:

Final

Main Center Abstract and Reports:

CR831276    Gulf Coast HSRC (Lamar)

Subprojects under this Center: (EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
R831276C001 DNAPL Source Control by Reductive Dechlorination with Fe(II)
R831276C002 Arsenic Removal and Stabilization with Synthesized Pyrite
R831276C003 A Large-Scale Experimental Investigation of the Impact of Ethanol on Groundwater Contamination
R831276C004 Visible-Light-Responsive Titania Modified with Aerogel/Ferroelectric Optical Materials for VOC Oxidation
R831276C005 Development of a Microwave-Induced On-Site Regeneration Technology for Advancing the Control of Mercury and VOC Emissions Employing Activated Carbon
R831276C006 Pollution Prevention through Functionality Tracking and Property Integration
R831276C007 Compact Nephelometer System for On-Line Monitoring of Particulate Matter Emissions
R831276C008 Effect of Pitting Corrosion Promoters on the Treatment of Waters Contaminated with a Nitroaromatic Compounds Using Integrated Reductive/Oxidative Processes
R831276C009 Linear Polymer Chain and Bioengineered Chelators for Metals Remediation
R831276C010 Treatment of Perchlorate Contaminated Water Using a Combined Biotic/Abiotic Process
R831276C011 Rapid Determination of Microbial Pathways for Pollutant Degradation
R831276C012 Simulations of the Emission, Transport, Chemistry and Deposition of Atmospheric Mercury in the Upper Gulf Coast Region
R831276C013 Reduction of Environmental Impact and Improvement of Intrinsic Security in Unsteady-state
R831276C014 Integrated Chemical Complex and Cogeneration Analysis System: Greenhouse Gas Management and Pollution Prevention Solutions
R831276C015 Improved Combustion Catalysts for NOx Emission Reduction
R831276C016 A Large-Scale Experimental Investigation of the Impact of Ethanol on Groundwater Contamination
R831276C017 Minimization of Hazardous Ion-Exchange Brine Waste by Biological Treatment of Perchlorate and Nitrate to Allow Brine Recycle
R831276C018 Integrated Chemical Complex and Cogeneration Analysis System: Greenhouse Gas Management and Pollution Prevention Solutions