Performance of VOC abatement by thermal swing honeycomb rotor adsorbers

Fine powder of hydrophobic high silica zeolite was solidified with silica sol in the void of a 0.2 mm thick ceramic fiber sheet fabricated into a honeycomb structure, typically with 3.2 mm pitch x 1.7 mm height. The honeycomb rotor of adsorbent was applied to the VOC abatement system operating with thermal swing adsorption. Dependence of the removal efficiency of VOC on various variables was investigated for a test honeycomb rotor of 300 mm in diameter. The following operating guide was recommended to reach high performance where more than 95% of VOC in the feed gas is removed: superficial velocity of feed air = 2-4 m/s, flow rate ratio of process to regeneration zone = 5-15, relative humidity < 80%, and regeneration air temperature = 180 degrees C with rotation speed optimized. The optimal rotation speed of the honeycomb rotor was investigated closely, and the result was interpreted in terms of the heat capacity ratio between the honeycomb rotor and the regeneration air stream.