How Activated Carbon and Zeolite are Used in Air Treatment

Why Use Gas Phase Pollution Control?

The use of chemicals or process reactions results in the creation of various corrosive gases. Some are detectable through normal human sense and others are identifiable only through technical tests. Virtually all corrosive gases under normal relative humidity will increase the rate of deterioration of expensive capital equipment in control rooms, computer installations and/or other sites, as well as inventory and other company assets. In some cases, losses are quick and dramatic. In others, the time horizon is longer and the effect more subtle. In all occurrences, down time, lost product and unnecessary capital and ongoing expenses arise.

To identify if these conditions are occurring in your environment, two methods can be used. The first is to observe the replacement timing and cost for the capital equipment, ie. computers, transmitters, receivers & switchgears. If the equipment is seeing heightened service due to electrical failure and (by closer inspection) corrosion is occurring at contact points of electrical connectors you have a corrosion problem. The second method is to analyze the air over an extended period of time using a corrosion coupon. A corrosion coupon consists of a silver and/or copper strip mounted on a Plexiglas holder. These coupons can be purchased. To determine if the atmosphere is corrosive, place the coupons in the areas of interest, continuing activities as normal.

After an exposure period, typically 30 days, the coupons are returned to an independent laboratory for determination of type (s) and levels of pollutants present. The independent lab will analyze the coupons and inform you of the results. The Instrument Society of America classifies environments as mild, moderate, harsh or severe depending on the levels identified on the coupons. Ideally your environment should be at a mild status. If the level of reactivity on the copper and/or silver coupons places the atmosphere in a severe, harsh, high, or moderate condition, a gas phase filter system is suggested.

Hydrosil manufactures two different types of products for gas phase filtration: Activated Carbon and Impregnated Zeolite. The two products have advantages and disadvantages for different projects. To understand which type of media is best for your application contact us by email.

Characteristic Activated Carbon Impregnated Zeolite
Economical X XX
No Chance of Fire X
Regenerable X
Specific for Pollutant(s) X XX
Withstand High Temperature Environments X

Treatment Applications

HVAC Systems

Hydrosil provides bulk filter media (zeolite or activated carbon) that is commonly used in refillable and disposable filters. These filters are used in general HVAC systems for commercial and industrial air handlers. Typically, the gas phase filter is installed after a pre-filter; A pre-filter is designed to remove 5 μm and greater particles such as heavy dust, hair, insects, street debris, and sand. The gas phase filter is typically installed prior to a post-filter or HEPA filter. Below are a few case studies where Hydrosil’s gas phase filters have been installed in.

Related Case Studies:

Soil Vapor Extraction (SVE) Systems

Soil Vapor Extraction (SVE) is a remediation technique for removing volatile contaminants in soil. SVE extracts the vapors from the soil using a vacuum. The extracted vapors are then treated to remove the harmful volatile contaminants using activated carbon.

Related Case Studies:

Industrial Use (Tank Vents, Emission Control, & Emergency Scrubbers):

Emission control on industrial units is essential for maintaining compliance. Hydrosil has zeolite and activated carbon installed units including tanks vents, process vents, emergency scrubbers, and areas that have fugitive emissions and volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions.  

Related Case Studies:

Air Pollutants Removed with Activated Carbon or Zeolite:

  • 1,2-dichloroethane (DCE)
  • Acetone
  • Ammonia
  • Benzene
  • BTEX
  • Butane
  • Butyl Acetate
  • Butyl Mercaptan
  • Chlorine
  • Everyday Odors
  • Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs)
  • Hydrogen Sulfide
  • Mercury
  • Methyl Ethyl Ketone

  • Naphthalene
  • Nitric Acid
  • Nitrogen Dioxide
  • Pentane
  • Pesticides
  • Polychloro-biphenyl (PCB)
  • Polynuclear-aromatic-hydrocarbons (PNA)
  • Sulfur Dioxide
  • Terpenes
  • Terpenoids
  • Trichloroethylene (TCE)
  • Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
  • & Many More

To see if Hydrosil has a solution for your pollutant, visit out pollutant index page. If you can’t find it there, then please give us a call or send us an email.

Industries currently using gas phase pollution control

Pulp and Paper Mills
HS-CL is commonly used in pulp and paper mills to treat chlorine, chlorine dioxide and other bleaching agents. HS-AC-P-HS and XB-17 are often used to control hydrogen sulfide, sulfur oxides, mercaptans that are common in certain process areas of pulp and paper mills.

Refineries & Chemical Plants
Hydrosil offers many products that are used in refineries due to the wide range of compounds found in the process areas. The most common Hydrosil products used at refineries include HS-AC and XB-17-HS. These products target organic and inorganic pollutants found in refineries.

Waste Water Treatment Facilities
HS-600 is used in wastewater treatment facilities for removal of hydrogen sulfide, sulfur oxide, mercaptans, skatole and indole.

Water Treatment Facilities
In bulk systems, HS-CL is used for chlorine emergency off gas systems at water treatment facilities.

Semiconductor
Metal manufacturing and processors such as semiconductor manufacturer has several acidic and basic gases use a custom blend.

Produce Handlers
Ethylene is a hormone that is generated from fruits as they ripen. To control ethylene in produce shipping containers, the HS-600 is installed. HS-600 will clean the air of ethylene which creates a more friendly environment for fruits, vegetables and flowers which delays the ripening process.

Restaurants and Commercial Kitchens
Cooking odors are long chain hydrocarbons and usually contain sulfur compounds. Acrolein odors are produced from burning oil or burnt fat. Hydrosil’s XB-17 installed in air handlers to target these pesky unpleasant odors.

Airports and Heliports
Airports and hospitals with helipads commonly have hazardous air pollutants from the jet fuel exhaust. Hydrosil’s XB-17 is used to eliminate jet and de-icing fumes from concourses and tarmac.

Museums
Gas phase filters on the air handlers is important for protecting treasures and valuables from various pollutants. Depending on where the museum is located and what is nearby, a custom solution will be used for this application.

Various Other Municipal and Commercial Entities
variety of pollutants unique to their operation are minimized, controlled or eliminated

Gas Phase Products Sold In Bulk

Activated Carbon:

  • HS-AC
  • HS-AC-P
  • HS-AC-Hg
  • HS-AC-P-HS
  • HS-AC-P-PO
  • HS-AC-P-KOH

Impregnated Zeolite and Blends:

  • HS-600
  • XB-17
  • XB-17-P
  • HS-CL
  • HS-100-PO
  • HS-400
  • HS-Cannablend-Select

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