Adsorbent usage for VOC removal in synthetic latices

In the synthetic latex industry, there is a trend towards lower VOC levels. This paper describes an alternative to the current steam stripping or chem icals injection processes, namely using adsorbents for VOC removal for a st yrene-butadiene latex. Both batch and continuous adsorption experiments wer e performed to screen adsorbents, experimental conditions and simulate plan t scale-up. The removal effect of the adsorbents was determined using gas c hromatography (GC). It was found that activated carbon had the best VOC rem oval efficiency, and optimum operating conditions existed at a pH of 10.5, and ambient temperature. It was further found in the carbon bed experiments that the VOC level could be lowered down to 150 ppm, which was the minimum attainable. The regeneration of the spent carbon using solvent extraction was also investigated. Several solvents were tested, and toluene was found to be the most efficient.