| This study addresses the technical and economical feasibility of a full-scale, microwave-regenerated (MW) volatile organic compound (VOC) adsorption plant. It compares the estimated economics of MW-regenerated adsorption systems with those of other conventional VOCs control systems. The VOC emission stream chosen as the basis for the study is typical of a large-scale industrial printing operation. The VOC is assumed to be methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), a common water-soluble industrial solvent with representative dielectric and adsorption properties. The adsorbent chosen was Dowex Optipore, a product of Dow Chemical.;It was found that adsorption of MEK on Dowex Optipore at ambient temperature is described by the Langmuir adsorption isotherm model for gas phase concentrations as high as 20,000 ppmv. The use of the Thomas solution for breakthrough calculations during the adsorption and cooling phases of the cycle greatly simplified the calculations when compared to the Michael's graphic method. |
