SUMMARY OF TYPICAL APLICATIONS

The activated carbon products manufactured by NORDIC WATER are in common use in many domestic and industrial applications ranging from simple shoe insole deodourisers to the manufacture of complexed industrial chemicals. A range of products capable of providing the optimum adsorption characteristics have been developed and classified. Examples of the product references used by NW are given in these tables, and their suitability for various pplications.

NW ACTIVATED CARBONS

NORDIC WATER activated carbons are specifically designed to meet the strict requirements mandated for air filters and breathing air respirators. Our coconut-shell based carbons are virtually dust-free, exhibit excellent hardness characteristics, and are available in a range of activities and sizes. Our stringent quality assurance protocols ensure a clean, uniform product for maximum organic vapor adsorption for any application requiring superior performance.

APPLICATIONS AND COMMON USES

Groundwater Remediation

Granular activated carbon is the most common technology employed for pump and treat groundwater remediation systems. It is highly suited to this application and is often used as a single treatment step to remove compounds such as chlorinated hydrocarbons and aromatic compounds including benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX). For more highly contaminated groundwaters, two or more carbon units may be placed in series or carbon may be used in combination with other treatment technologies such as air stripping or advanced oxidation processes.
Activated carbon can also be used for the removal of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) from air streams resulting from in-situ removal techniques such as soil vapor extraction.
Some of the benefits of using granular activated carbon for groundwater remediation include:

• 99% removal of specific contaminants such as chlorinated hydrocarbons.

• Simple design and operation. Often the systems are manually operated.

• No solid, liquid of gas waste byproducts requiring costly disposal. The exhausted carbon is typically taken off-site and recycled by reactivation.

• Suitable for short term or emergencies using Leasing Adsorption Systems.

• GAC technology is a very safe process operating at low pressure and temperature and with minimal moving and electrical equipment. In addition, there are no potentially toxic gases or dangerous chemicals with associated handling and storage facilities.

Industrial Waste Water Treatment

• Adsorption of Hazardous Wastes and Regulated Compounds
Over 80% of European Union List I and II toxic substances under the Dangerous Substance Discharges Directive of 1976 (76/464/EEC) and 1986 (86/280/EEC) are well adsorbed by activated carbon. Examples of substances removed include:

• Non-biodegradable organic compounds

• Adsorbable Organic Halogens (AOX)

• Toxicity

• Color

• Inhibitory compounds for biological treatment systems

• Aromatic compounds

• Chlorinated/halogenated organic compounds

• Pesticides
  

• Protection of industrial water treatment processes
Ion exchange resins and membrane processes such as reverse osmosis are liable to damage from oxidation by free chlorine. By removing the free chlorine, the activated carbon will protect these down stream processes. Activated carbon is also effective in reducing the concentration of organic compounds that may foul these processes.

VOC Removal

Activated carbon is the leading technology for the removal of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) from air and other gases. The very high removal efficiencies, typically greater than 99% at contact times as low as 0.1 second, mean that the most stringent air quality regulations can be exceeded. The technology is reliable, simple and has been proven over many years.
Activated carbon is used for VOC abatement in the following applications:

• Groundwater remediation

• Soil vapor extraction and air sparging

• Chemical and Pharmaceutical Industries

• Coating and Printing Industries

• Degreasing and cleaning

• Solvent Recovery

• Tank venting

• Ventilation and air conditioning systems
  

NORDIC WATER Systems can supply a range of adsorption systems for VOC removal.

Landfill Leachate Treatment

Granular activated carbon in combination with biological pretreatment is the leading technology for the treatment of landfill leachate for the removal of Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Adsorbable Organic Halogens (AOX) and other toxic substances. Granular activated carbon is now used at over 50 sites in Europe for this application.

Chemical and Pharmaceutical Purification

• Chemicals
Activated carbon is suitable for the decolourisation and purification of a wide range of organic and inorganic compounds including :

• Amines

• Hydrochloric and other mineral acids

• Amino acids

• Glycols

• Hydrocarbons
  

• Pharmaceuticals
Activated carbon is used to purify a wide range of pharmaceuticals and intermediates.

• Amine Purification
Amine solvents such as Diethanolamine (DEA) are widely used in recirculating loops to remove Carbon Dioxide (CO2) and Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S) from natural gas. Granular activated carbon is installed to purify the recirculating amine to remove degradation products and dissolved hydrocarbons. NW Systems can supply one of our standard high pressure adsorption systems for amine purification. Some of the benefits of using this technology include:

• Ensures the gas specifications are met

• Prevention of amine foaming

• Reduced corrosion problems

• Maintains amine efficiency and plant capacity

• Reduced level of amine consumption
  

Chemical Processing

There are wide sources of pollutants in a chemical plant ranging from process vents, leaks, storage tank emissions and spills, to wastewater collection and treatment. The techniques and equipment NW offers in controlling each situation are distinct in order to fit each unique application. Adsorption, Oxidation, catalytic carbon suport, and Biofiltration Systems are among the many technologies offered by NW.

Oil & Petroleum Refining

Petroleum refining and distribution facilities are the best showcase for NW's activated carbon products. Carbon is utilized in vapor recovery, wastewater treatment, tank venting, odor control, process water, and in specialty applications involving Ammonia, Sulfides, Phenols and Amines.

Soil & Groundwater Remediation

Over two million underground storage tank systems exist at facilities nationwide. The EPA has estimated that 25% of these tanks may be leaking. NW provides the most comprehensive line of remediation equipment and services to environmental engineers, government agencies, and private industries to clean contaminated soil and groundwater.

NORDIC WATER IMPREGNATED CARBONS

NORDIC WATER manufactures a trio of highly efficient adsorbents for most of the gases that exhibit poor adsorption on unimpregnated activated carbon. The proprietary reagents used to impregnate these high activity coconut shell-based carbons have shown superior results for the adsorption of specific airborne contaminants. For acid gases such as sulfur dioxide, chlorine, and hydrogen sulfide, NW I-12 is unsurpassed in performance and safety of use. For ammonia and amine compounds, NW CI-62 is the adsorbent of choice. For formaldehyde removal, NW CI-15 is the most effective adsorbent on the market today. NW also offers several other highly specialized grades to suit every application, and can also manufacture impregnated carbons to fit any custom specification.

All NW products are available in the following particle sizes

• 4 X 8
• 6 X 12
• 8 X 16
• 8 X 30
• 12 X 20
• 12 X 40
• 20 X 50

Custom sizes and shapes are also available!

Water, Wastewater, & Odor Control

Storm water runoff is a part of natural hydrological process. However, human activities have altered natural drainage patterns and added pollutants to the rainwater and snowmelt that enters our rivers, lakes and coastal waters. NW designs and installs carbon adsorption systems at water treatment facilities to remove contaminants from water and odors from the air.

Odors and VOC's (Volatile Organic Compounds)

In general, vapor contaminants can be indexed in terms of how well they are adsorbed by
activated carbon. This, typically, is a function of the carbon's affinity for a specific type of
organic or inorganic contaminant, such as ketones, apilhatics, and sulfur compounds.
Additionally, the adsorptive capacity and removal efficiency may be affected by:

• The concentration of the contaminant (s).

• Humidity o the air or gas stream.

• Temperature of the vapor laden air stream.

• Contact time between the activated carbon and vapor laden air.

• Particle size of activated carbon.

• Grade of activated carbon.

Odors and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) can be a particularly difficult problem to overcome. There are a number of factors that make the removal of odors and (VOCs) an especially aggravating task. The most common mistake is to use exhaust fans to exhaust the unwanted contaminants to the outside, but many people find this solution both costly and ineffective. The problem is most exhaust systems are roof mounted and attempt to exhaust these contaminants through the roof, but most volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which are responsible for the offensive odors are considerably heavier than air, many times 4 times heavier or more. Roof mounted exhaust systems simply can't pull the offensive odors up far enough to be exhausted. (Helpful hint, you can find the density of your contaminants on the Material Safety and Data Sheets, MSDS in the physical characteristics category under vapor density). The second most common mistake is to treat the odor or VOC contaminants with particulate filters, such as HEPA filters.
Odors and VOCs are in general, gases. HEPA filters are the best filtration technology known to man for submicron particles which are SOLIDS. HEPA filters will have no efficiency on gaseous contaminants.
Activated carbon (sometimes called activated charcoal) is the most common gaseous filtration medium.
Activated carbon adsorbs the gases into its vast micropore structure. There are many available carbons and also specialty carbons which are also specifically designed for some of the more difficult to capture gases. Our IAQ Specialists can help you select the most appropriate system, configuration and for your specific needs. For an obligation free consultation and quotation, please contact us.

Partial List of VOCs

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