Activated Carbon, A Love Affair Spanning 15 Years
Tuesday, December 4, 2018: 2:10 p.m.
N119/120 (Las Vegas Convention Center)
Recent interest in “Carbon Based Injectates” has spawned many opinions on applications and limitations from a spectrum of sources including EPA, various regulators, and consultants. RPI Group has been injecting products based on activated carbon for over fifteen years and we’ve learned a lot.
RPI is in a unique position to talk about this technology and along the way we not only learned about activated carbon but also got an education on injections in general. Improving distribution continues to be a prime concern.
Fifteen years ago, there were no papers in the literature or books in the library describing how to calculate dosing or design an injection plan using activated carbon products for in situ remediation. It was a new application and all aspects of the technology had to be developed from scratch. Over time, RPI Group learned how the fundamental properties of activated carbon translated into performance in the field. Limitations of activated carbon became clear and the industry must be cautious how the technology is used. Absorption is an equilibrium process and sorbed compounds are not fixed. Desorption (rollover) is a fundamental problem that can create significant issues.
Highlights from a collection of projects representing failures and successes will be discussed to illustrate specific lessons learned. The main focus of this presentation is on activated carbon, its strengths and weaknesses; Its variety and diversity, and why it should play an ever-expanding role in remediation.
Results/Lessons Learned. The following list highlights specific features of activated carbon and how it should be used that will be discussed in detail.
1. Bioavailability of Adsorbed Compounds
2. It’s a Conductor – So What
3. Rollover – a Fundamental Problem for PFAS
4. All Carbon is not the same – Avoid Reactivated Carbon
5. Degradation Kinetics Trumps Adsorption Capacity
6. Injection Technique is Everything.
RPI is in a unique position to talk about this technology and along the way we not only learned about activated carbon but also got an education on injections in general. Improving distribution continues to be a prime concern.
Fifteen years ago, there were no papers in the literature or books in the library describing how to calculate dosing or design an injection plan using activated carbon products for in situ remediation. It was a new application and all aspects of the technology had to be developed from scratch. Over time, RPI Group learned how the fundamental properties of activated carbon translated into performance in the field. Limitations of activated carbon became clear and the industry must be cautious how the technology is used. Absorption is an equilibrium process and sorbed compounds are not fixed. Desorption (rollover) is a fundamental problem that can create significant issues.
Highlights from a collection of projects representing failures and successes will be discussed to illustrate specific lessons learned. The main focus of this presentation is on activated carbon, its strengths and weaknesses; Its variety and diversity, and why it should play an ever-expanding role in remediation.
Results/Lessons Learned. The following list highlights specific features of activated carbon and how it should be used that will be discussed in detail.
1. Bioavailability of Adsorbed Compounds
2. It’s a Conductor – So What
3. Rollover – a Fundamental Problem for PFAS
4. All Carbon is not the same – Avoid Reactivated Carbon
5. Degradation Kinetics Trumps Adsorption Capacity
6. Injection Technique is Everything.