Carbon Monoliths: A Comparison with Granular Materials

Abstract

An activated carbon monolith synthesized from a phenolic resin precursor provides capacity and kinetic properties which compare most favourably with the same mass of its granular counterpart. Experimental data have been obtained using a dynamic, flow apparatus. The comparative performances are readily explained by an analysis of internal and external mass transfer coefficients. The effect of axial dispersion is neglected. Internal mass transfer coefficients are based on the linear driving force assumption, being approximated for the monolith by a geometric transformation from the square channel to a hollow cylinder impervious to mass at its outer radius. The monolith is predicted to have a pressure drop which is less than 6% of that of its equivalent granular system.

Easy extrusion of honeycomb-shaped monoliths using Moroccan natural clays and investigation of their dynamic adsorptive behavior towards VOCs

“…The obtained adsorption capacities per adsorbent weight were found to be almost similar for the extruded monolith and granular forms of each studied clay. Nevertheless, these values remain lower than those reported for more porous adsorbents, for example, commercial silica [34] or activated carbon monoliths [15,22,35,36].…”

“…In this sense, we investigate one of the potential uses of the extruded clays monoliths as adsorbent for removal of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), together with the study of their structural and textural properties as well as their thermal behavior. Hence, the use of clays monoliths constitutes an attractive option, as most literature devoted to VOCs removal deals with activated carbon monoliths that have been extruded with additives [11][12][13][14] or free of binder such as those manufactured by MAST Carbon Ltd., UK [15]. Although activated carbon presents several disadvantages such as flammability risk and pore clog resulting form VOC polymerisation that can be catalyzed by ashes [16].…”

Structured adsorbents in gas separation processes

“…The monoliths are typically synthesized from a phenolic resin precursor followed by carbonization step which offers high surface area available for adsorption [33]. Due to inherent electrical conductivity of activated carbon, rapid thermal swing operation can be achieved by regeneration of the monolith through electrical heating.…”

Effect of channel geometry, degree of activation, relative humidity and temperature on the performance of binderless activated carbon monoliths in the removal of dichloromethane from air

“…However, their high pressure losses at high flowrates make them less attractive for VOC removal. In order to reduce pressure drop, activated monolithic carbons synthesised by using different procedures can be easily used in VOC adsorption [2,7,8,21,27]. MAST Carbon Ltd. produces ACM (NOVACARB TM ) with different channel morphologies by a binderless route developed by Tennison [19].…”