Raw CO2 Contaminants

CO2 from combustion contains hydrocarbons, aldehydes, and sulfur compounds. Fermentation CO2 carries organic impurities from biological processes. Industrial sources produce various contaminants. Carbon adsorption removes these impurities before compression or use.

Filter Design

Vertical pressure vessel with raw CO2 inlet distributor, activated carbon bed typically 36-60 inches depth, support gravel preventing carbon loss, underdrain system, purified gas outlet. Empty bed contact time 5-15 minutes depending on contaminants.

Activated Carbon Media

Granular activated carbon high surface area for adsorption. Particle size 4x10 or 6x16 mesh for gas phase applications. Coal-based or coconut shell carbon depending on target contaminants. Carbon life 1-3 years before regeneration or replacement.

Operating Pressure

Typical 1-50 bar matching CO2 recovery or processing pressure. Design per ASME Section VIII for operating pressure. Materials accommodate pressure with safety factors.

Sulfur Removal

Adsorbs hydrogen sulfide, carbonyl sulfide, and sulfur dioxide to under 1 ppm. Critical for food grade CO2 specifications. Sulfur removal protects downstream catalysts and prevents odor in beverage applications.

Organic Removal

Removes hydrocarbons, aldehydes, ketones, and VOCs from combustion or fermentation sources. Reduces total organic carbon to specification levels. Essential for food grade and pharmaceutical CO2.

Material Selection

Stainless steel construction resists corrosion from CO2 with moisture and contaminants. Carbon steel unsuitable for wet CO2 service. Materials prevent contamination of purified gas.

Breakthrough Monitoring

Gas chromatography or specific contaminant analyzers detect carbon exhaustion. Sulfur breakthrough at 50-70% of bed capacity allows safe replacement scheduling. TOC monitoring tracks organic removal.

Applications

Food grade CO2 production from combustion or fermentation, beverage carbonation CO2 purification, pharmaceutical CO2 treatment, enhanced oil recovery CO2 cleanup, and any application requiring contaminant-free carbon dioxide.

Regeneration Options

Thermal regeneration at 150-300C removes adsorbed contaminants restoring partial capacity. Off-site reactivation at 800-900C restores 85-95% capacity more economically than replacement for large installations.

Food Grade Standards

Beverage CO2 requires stringent purity - odor-free, taste-neutral, under 1 ppm sulfur compounds, low organics. Carbon filtration critical step meeting ISBT food grade specifications.

Bed Depth Optimization

Deeper beds provide longer contact time for difficult contaminants. Balance between removal efficiency and pressure drop. Typical 4-6 feet depth for gas phase adsorption.

System Integration

Positioned after initial CO2 cleanup (desulfurization, drying) before compression or liquefaction. Often combined with molecular sieve drying achieving complete purification.

Performance Benefits

Enables food grade CO2 production from various sources. Removes odor and taste compounds. Protects downstream equipment from contaminants. Proven carbon adsorption technology.

Construction Standards

Pressure vessels per ASME Section VIII. Materials for CO2 with moisture and contaminants. Carbon media per food grade specifications where applicable. Complete documentation with adsorption capacity and contaminant removal data.

ERGIL carbon bed filters provide organic and sulfur removal purifying raw CO2 gas for food grade and industrial applications through activated carbon adsorption.