The effect of weathering on charcoal filter performance. 1; The adsorption and desorption behavior of contaminants

Journal Article · Wed May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1991 · Nuclear Technology; (United States)

OSTI ID:5078040

Wren, J C; Moore, C J ^[1]

---

1. Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. Research Co., Whiteshell Nuclear Research Establishment, Research Chemistry Branch Pinawa, Manitoba R0E 1L0 (CA)

This paper reports on triethylenediamine (TEDA) impregnated charcoals, used in nuclear reactors to safeguard against the release of airborne radioiodine, which show high efficiency under various reactor operation and accident conditions when the are new. However, during normal operation, charcoal filters are continuously degraded (or weathered) due to the adsorption of moisture and other air contaminants. The effect of weathering on the efficiency of charcoal for removing radioiodine is of great interest. The results of a study on the adsorption behavior of various contaminants NO{sub 2}, SO{sub 2} 2-butanone (methyl-ethyl ketone (MEK)) and NH{sub 3} on TEDA charcoal are presented. This study is an attempt to characterize and quantify the weathering process of TEDA charcoal by these contaminants. The adsorption and desorption of characteristics of these contaminants range from completely irreversible (NO{sub 2}) to completely reversible (NH{sub 3}). The effect of absorbed water (or humidity) on absorption is different for each contaminant. Absorbed water increases the absorption rate and capacity of TEDA charcoal for NO{sub 2}. However, it appears that SO{sub 2} is absorbed as H{sub 2}SO{sub 4} on the wet charcoal. Absorbed water slightly reduces the adsorption capacity of the charcoal for MEK, but does not affect the absorption of NH{sub 3}.

• OSTI ID: 5078040
• Journal Information: Nuclear Technology; (United States), Journal Name: Nuclear Technology; (United States) Vol. 94:2; ISSN NUTYB; ISSN 0029-5450
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
220200 -- Nuclear Reactor Technology-- Components & Accessories
220900* -- Nuclear Reactor Technology-- Reactor Safety
ACCIDENTS
ADSORBENTS
ADSORPTION
AMINES
AMMONIA
CHALCOGENIDES
CHARCOAL
FILTERS
FILTRATION
HYDRIDES
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
IMPURITIES
IODINE ISOTOPES
ISOTOPES
KETONES
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN DIOXIDE
NITROGEN HYDRIDES
NITROGEN OXIDES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POWER REACTORS
REACTOR ACCIDENTS
REACTOR SAFETY
REACTORS
REMOVAL
SAFETY
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SORPTION
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SULFUR DIOXIDE
SULFUR OXIDES
WATER
WEATHERING