Accelerated adsorption by activated carbon powders in the presence of an acoustic field

Vaporous contaminants can be removed from a gas stream by adsorption into powdered activated carbon (PAC). For example, the injection of PAC upstream of particle collectors is the leading approach for the removal of mercury vapor from the exhaust streams of incinerators and coal fired power plants. The removal of dilute vapors, though, can require significant time and significant quantities of PAC. A numerical model will be described that suggests that the adsorption process can be accelerated by applying an intense sound field to the gas after the PAC is injected. It is theorized that a sound field improves diffusion limited adsorption reactions by creating an oscillatory motion of the gas relative to the activated carbon particles. The translation effectively mixes the particles and gas on a microscopic scale and improves the concentration gradient at the surface of the PAC. Results from the numerical model suggest that adsorption rates can be increased by over 50% with the application of an appropriate sound field. Simple laboratory experiments have been performed studying the adsorption of dilute vaporous ethanol in air, and the results support the model. Data has also been collected at a coal fired power plant that demonstrates the improved adsorption of mercury vapor.