Monitoring and Control of an Adsorption System Using Electrical Properties of the Adsorbent for,Organic Compound Abatement

Adsorption systems typically need gas and temperature sensors to monitor their adsorption/regeneration cycles to separate gases from gas streams. Activated carbon fiber cloth kACFC) electrothermal swing adsorption (ESA) is an adsorption-system that has the potential to be controlled with the electrical properties of the adsorbent and is studied here to monitor and control the adsorption/regeneration cycles without the use of gas and teMperature sensors and to predict breakthrough before it occurs. The ACFC's electrical resistance was characterized on the-basis of the-amount of adsorbed organic gas/vapor-and the adsorbent temperature. These relationships were, then used to..develop Control logic to monitor and control ESA cycles,onithe basis-of measured resistance and, applied power Values. Continuous sets of adsorption and regeneration cycles were performed sequentially, entirely on the basis of remote electrical. measurements and achieved >= 95% capture efficiency at inlet concentrations of 2000 and 4000 ppin, for iSobutarie, acetone, and toluene in dry and elevated, relative humidity gas-streams, demOnstrating a novel cyclic ESA system that does not require gas or temperature sensors. This contaution is important beCause it reduces the cost and simplifies the system; predicts 'breakthrough 'before its occurrence, and' reduces' emissions to the atmosphere. (GRAPHICS)