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

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

OSTI ID:5078040

Wren, J C; Moore, C J ^[1]

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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), Vol. 94:2; ISSN 0029-5450
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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