The control of atmospheric emissions involves both the comfort and the ecological aspect of working environments. Respect for the environment, the EEC directives, and the well-being of the people who work in laboratories are all factors that require the use of systems which hold back acids or solvents present in chemical processing discharges, with a resulting air purification. The FilterBox PVC activated carbon filters are the answer provided by Plastifer to the problem of air filtering.

What is Activated Carbon
Activated carbon is a microporous granular carbon that can be produced with different raw material such as peat, wood or fossil coal. The activation process, carried out with vapour or chemical agents, produces millions of pores of molecular dimension that make up a great surface area with a ratio probably larger than 2,000 m2 per gram of activated carbon. Due to the Van Der Waals force, the carbon atoms present on the internal surface of the activated carbon attract the neighbouring gas molecules.

Theintensity of such phenomenon is related to the molecular structure of the suctioned substances; some molecules are strongly attracted whereas others are not. Due to this mechanism, activated carbon can be used to eliminate one or more components of a mixture.

Data to consider when choosing a filter:

• Airflow to be treated.
• Composition and concentration of the air to be treated.
• Required performance.
• Maximum temperature 60°.
• Relative humidity lower than 70 %.

Causes that reduce Carbon performance:

• TEMPERATURE reduces the carbon adsorption capacity.The lower the temperature, the higher the Carbon adsorption capacity.
• HUMIDITY has a negative influence on the carbon adsorption capacity since it can withstand a maximum relative humidity equal to 70%.

• DUST is another enemy of carbon because it blocks its pores and the spaces between the different cylinders consequently reducing performance and increasing pressure losses.

Useful recommendation:

• The CONCTAT TIME between the air and the activated carbon is an important factor to consider; on the basis of the required result we suggest values that range between 0,05 sec. and 0,2 sec.
• The activated carbon COMPACTNESS is a fundamental aspect that must be observed in order to achieve effective results. Plates and panels that are not compacted or that have great granulometric values cannot render good results.
• The INSTALLATION of the activated carbon filter must enable it to work in depression.
• The use of very small activated carbon filters should be discouraged.

 

Adsorption:
it is the process by which a very thin layer of gas molecules adheres onto the solid surface of the activated carbon.

 

 

Adsorbent:
it is a material, such as activated carbon, through which adsorption is produced.

 

 

Adsorbed:
it refers to all the particles that the activated carbon (adsorbent) holds back in its pores.