Performance of coated activated carbon filters used in the building environment

• Published in: Journal of chemical technology and biotechnology (1986) 2022-09, Vol.97 (9), p.2511-2518
• Main Authors: Tseng, Chao‐Heng, Wu, Haoyang, Shiue, Angus, Hsu, Chun‐Kuo, Huang, Ying‐Pin, Leggett, Graham
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Activated carbon; activated carbon filter; Adsorption; Bacteria; Bioaerosols; Carbon filters; Carbon monoxide; Chitosan; Coatings; Efficiency; Filters; Gold; Gold coatings; Kindergarten; Kinetic equations; Kinetics; Laboratories; nano Au–Ag; Pollutant removal; Pollutants; Silver
• ISSN: 0268-2575; 1097-4660
• DOI: 10.1002/jctb.7111

BACKGROUND This study focuses on the removal of gaseous pollutants by nanogold–silver (Au–Ag)‐, nanosilver‐ and chitosan‐coated activated carbon filters. Target gaseous pollutants included formaldehyde (HCHO), acetone (CH3COCH3), carbon monoxide (CO) and bioaerosol. RESULTS Laboratory experimental results show that chitosan‐coated filters are 16.33% more efficient than uncoated carbon filters when challenged with HCHO, but the same gain is not observed when challenged with CH3COCH3 and CO. When challenged with HCHO and CO, the removal efficiency of Au–Ag‐coated carbon was found to be 20% and 7.11% higher than that of uncoated carbon, respectively. A parking lot field study to determine the efficiency of Au–Ag‐coated carbon when challenged with CO and bacteria concluded that the removal efficiency of Au–Ag‐coated carbon was 7.48% and 19.57% higher, respectively, than that of uncoated carbon. The removal efficiencies for bacteria and fungi were increased 35% and 17.1% when the carbon filter was coated with chitosan, respectively. At a kindergarten, the removal efficiency for HCHO was assessed, which was increased 9.02% and 42% when the carbon filter was coated with Au–Ag and chitosan, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Laboratory experimental data were evaluated using pseudo‐first‐order and pseudo‐second‐order kinetic equations. Pseudo‐second‐order kinetics were found to be applicable to discuss the adsorption kinetics. The overall rate of the Au–Ag‐, nanosilver‐ and chitosan‐coated activated carbon filter adsorption process appears to be influenced by more than one step of the intraparticle diffusion model. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).