Adsorption on carbon and zeolite of pollutants from flue gas during incineration

The volatile organic compound, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, dioxin, and metallic components released from incineration threaten human health. Thes e pollutants, appearing in a molecular state, cannot be effectively removed by baghouse and electrostatic precipitators through capture and filtration mechanisms. Previous studies indicate that activated carbon is conventiona lly used to remove organic compounds from gas at low temperatures (less tha n 30 degrees C). However, the adsorption characteristics of organic compoun ds from a gas phase at high temperatures lover 120 degrees C) are seldom me ntioned. Moreover, the complex compositions of flue gas cause the adsorptio n characteristics of organic compounds and heavy metals on adsorbent tubes to be more complicated. This research examines the adsorption characteristi cs of organic compounds and heavy metals at various incineration conditions . The evaluated parameters include: (1) the operating temperatures; (2) the characteristics of adsorbents (activated carbon and zeolite); and (3) wast e compositions and the presence of heavy metals. The results indicate that activated carbon has a high adsorption capacity compared with zeolite.