Carbon adsorption is used in air pollution control to remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from low to medium concentration gas streams, when stringent outlet concentration must be met and/or recovery of the VOC is desired.  This course covers the types of adsorbers, adsorption theory, and design procedures for carbon adsorption equipment. This course is intended primarily for chemical, environmental, mechanical and industrial engineers interested in exploring carbon adsorption technologies using VOC removal for air pollution control. To complete this course and earn 3 PDH credits, please download and review the material in the content files, Chapter 1, Carbon Adsorbers, of Section 3.1, VOC Recapture Controls, of EPA/452/B-02-001, and then complete the associated 15-question multiple-choice quiz.

Learning Objectives

• Identify the types of carbon adsorption equipment and which are most commonly used.
• Define an adsorption isotherm and the equation for the Freundlich isotherm.
• Evaluate adsorber sizing parameters and adsorption and desorption time calculations.
• Understand the procedures for estimating carbon requirements.
• Execute standard cost estimation procedures for carbon adsorption systems.