Activated Carbon Systems
Adsorption, desorption, and solvent recovery packages for low-concentration organics and recoverable solvent streams.
Where Activated Carbon fits
Activated carbon systems adsorb organics from dilute exhaust. Depending on the project, beds are regenerated to a catalytic oxidizer or recovered by steam desorption and condensation when solvents have reuse value.
Low concentration VOCs; solvent recovery duty
Catalog reference; project-specific
Catalog reference for suitable solvents
Adsorption and regeneration
How the system works
Exhaust passes through carbon beds until breakthrough. Desorption regenerates capacity—either sending a concentrated stream to CO, or recovering solvent via steam and condensation for reuse.
- 01Carbon beds adsorb organics from the process stream.
- 02A standby bed maintains treatment during regeneration.
- 03Hot air sends concentrated VOCs to CO, or steam releases recoverable solvent.
- 04Condensation separates and collects solvent for reuse where feasible.
Choose by process conditions
| Configuration | Description | Best fit | Source metric |
|---|---|---|---|
| Activated Carbon + CO | Adsorption, hot-air desorption, and catalytic oxidation in an integrated treatment train. | Medium-to-low concentration organic exhaust without recovery value. | Project-specific |
| Steam Desorption + Condensation Recovery | Steam regenerates the carbon and a condenser recovers valuable solvent. | Compatible, economically recoverable solvent streams. | Catalog reference: >=99% purification for suitable duty |
Typical pollutants
- Recoverable solvents
- Benzene-family VOCs
- Ketones and esters
- Alcohols, aldehydes, and ethers
Engineering features
- Parallel adsorption beds
- Breakthrough and temperature monitoring
- Steam or hot-air regeneration
- Condensate separation
- Fire prevention and interlocks
Selection cautions
- Carbon fire risk, solvent compatibility, humidity, and breakthrough must be engineered.
- Recovery economics depend on solvent purity, value, and condensability.
Products using this technology
Equipment views
Specify Activated Carbon for your plant
Performance depends on actual gas composition, inlet load, temperature and operating schedule. Share process data for a configuration review.