Adsorption and Desorption of Decane Using Non-Carbon Adsorbents

Abstract

A high concentration of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is emitted during dry cleaning processes. Although carbonaceous materials have been widely tested for the control of VOC emission, there is a risk of fire when a large amount of VOCs is contained. Non-carbon adsorbents such as KIT-6, SBA-15, MCM-41, X-type zeolites, Y-type zeolites, aluminum silicate, and activated alumina are therefore tested in this study for the adsorption and desorption of decane which is a main constituent of VOCs emitted during dry cleaning. The adsorbents were evaluated under two conditions with and without the injection of water vapor (20% rh) using a fixed-bed reactor system. Without the injection of water vapor, KIT-6 showed the highest decane adsorption capacity, and activated alumina showed the highest decane desorption efficiency. It was also found that the mesopore volume of the adsorbent was related to its decane adsorption capacity, whereas its peak pore diameter was closely related to its decane desorption efficiency. KIT-6 showed very similar decane adsorption and desorption performance in both cases with and without the injection of water vapor. However, the decane desorption efficiency of activated alumina significantly decreased with the injection of water vapor.