Control of cyclohexane atmospheric emissions during soil remediation

Gaseous effluent from the treatment of contaminated soils must be controlle d to avoid atmospheric emissions of volatile organic compounds during remed iation. The combination of carbon adsorption with catalytic deep oxidation for control of cyclohexane emissions is analysed in this paper. The activit ies of activated carbons prepared with almond shells and impregnated with C oO, Co3O4 and CrO3 were compared, in relation with carbon structure, cataly st content and catalyst species. The microcatalytic-chromatographic techniq ue developed was very suitable for rapid comparison of the catalytic activi ties. Carbons with a better development of surface area and pore volumes sh owed higher catalytic activities. The increasing of catalyst content also i ncreased catalytic activity. Cobalt is better than chromium to catalyse the deep oxidation of cyclohexane, the oxidation state of cobalt in Co3O4 bein g better than in CoO.