Effects of humidity on the adsorption of coating solvent (m-xylene) on activated carbon.
Abstract
Control of coating solvent vapors by adsorption on activated carbon in the automotive industry can be affected by the presence of humidity. As a foundation to better understand the adsorptive behavior of these organic solvents, in this investigation, adsorption of m-xylene in the presence of water vapor on granular activated carbon was studied. Single component (m-xylene and water vapor) adsorption experiments were first conducted as prerequisites for the binary component (m-xylene with water vapor) studies. The dynamic method of gas adsorption technique (passing a flux composed of carrier gas and adsorbate vapor through a fixed bed adsorbent and subsequently analyzing the outlet adsorbate concentrations) was used throughout this research. The experimental results were then compared with predictive models to capture the dominant features of the data. For the equilibrium and kinetic studies of water vapor adsorption, an online digital hygrometer was used in conjunction with an electronic balance. Relative humidity values from 18 to 96% were examined. The m-xylene adsorption system design was similar to the water vapor adsorption system, except the online measurement of the adsorbate was done by gas chromatograph with the help of a six-port valve. A conglomeration of the single component systems was employed for the binary component absorption experiments. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering. Paper copy at Leddy Library: Theses & Major Papers - Basement, West Bldg. / Call Number: Thesis2000 .B38. Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 40-03, page: 0744. Adviser: Paul F. Henshaw. Thesis (M.A.Sc.)--University of Windsor (Canada), 2000.