Method of Determining Concentrations of Bi-Component Organic Solvent Vapors in Work Environment by Adsorption and Thermal Desorption using Activated Carbon

Abstract

Thermal desorption of mixed organic solvent from activated carbon was studied to determine solvent vapor concentrations in the work environment. Desorption was conducted at a low temperature, e.g., below 473K, to avoid thermal decomposition of solvents. A method of estimating desorption curves and desorption efficiencies is proposed on the basis of mass balance and extended Freundlich isotherm. As the estimated values of desorption efficiency agreed well with the experimental values, solvent vapor concentrations in the air are considered to be determined from the experimental values of the amount of solvent desorbed and those of the desorption efficiencies estimated.