Control of atmospheric emissions of volatile organic compounds using impregnated active carbons

The combination of carbon adsorption with catalytic complete oxidation for control of emissions of n-hexane, 2,3-dimethylbutane, cyclohexane and benze ne is analysed in this paper. The activities of activated carbons prepared with almond shells and impregnated with CoO, Co3O4 and CrO3 were compared, in relation with carbon structure, catalyst content and catalyst species. T he microcatalytic-chromatographic technique developed was very suitable for rapid comparison of catalytic activities, that are higher for carbons with a better development of surface area and pore volumes, and increased with increasing catalyst content. Catalytic activity of cobalt is better than th at of chromium, the oxidation state of cobalt in Co3O4 being better than in CoO. The catalytic activity depends clearly on the hydrocarbon chemical st ructure. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.