In situ observation of wall effects in activated carbon filters by X-ray microtomography

• Published in: Separation and purification technology Vol. 64; no. 1; pp. 127 - 130
• Main Authors: Léonard, Angélique, Wullens, Hilda, Blacher, Silvia, Marchot, Pierre, Toye, Dominique, Crine, Michel, Lodewyckx, Peter
• Format: Journal Article Web Resource
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier B.V 20-11-2008; Elsevier; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Activated carbon; Adsorption; Applied sciences; Chemical engineering; Engineering, computing & technology; Environmental sciences & ecology; Exact sciences and technology; Ingénierie chimique; Ingénierie, informatique & technologie; Life sciences; Radial profile; Sciences de l’environnement & écologie; Sciences du vivant; Wall effect; X-ray microtomography; Radial profile; Adsorption; Activated carbon; X-ray microtomography; Wall effect; In situ; Non invasive method; Prediction; Velocity distribution; Permeability; Modeling
• ISSN: 1383-5866; 1873-3794; 1873-3794
• DOI: 10.1016/j.seppur.2008.08.008

X-ray microtomography is a powerful non-invasive visualisation technique which can be advantageously used to get a better understanding of dynamic adsorption processes. In the present work, this technique is shown to be able to detect wall effects during the dynamic adsorption of methyl iodide on activated carbon filters. The analysis of transversal cross-sections along the filter height clearly shows the existence of radial concentration profiles. These radial adsorption profiles are directly linked to velocity profiles due to a higher permeability at the wall. Obtaining such
in situ information constitutes a real progress in order to validate simulation models allowing predicting reliable breakthrough times.