Drawer-type activated carbon adsorption box

Product Model	Drawer type activated carbon adsorption unit
Category	Waste Gas Treatment Equipment
Reference Price	Price on request

Hot Customizable for Working Conditions 10 Technical Parameters

Product Overview

The drawer-type activated carbon adsorption unit is a dry purification equipment that utilizes the adsorption effect of activated carbon to treat organic waste gas and odors. The housing is constructed with PP, PPs, or anti-corrosion carbon steel. Internally, it features multiple removable activated carbon drawers (adsorption units), each filled with honeycomb or granular activated carbon. Under negative pressure generated by the fan, organic waste gas enters the housing and sequentially passes through each layer of activated carbon adsorption. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and odor molecules in the gas are adsorbed and trapped by the highly porous surface of the activated carbon, and the purified gas is discharged through the fan and exhaust stack for high-altitude release.

The drawer-type structure is a standout feature of this equipment: activated carbon is loaded into drawers equipped with grilles. The drawers slide into the housing along rails and are sealed by compression. Once the activated carbon reaches adsorption saturation, the service door can be opened to withdraw the adsorption unit like pulling a drawer, replacing or regenerating the carbon material, and then sliding it back in. No personnel need to enter the housing, ensuring quick replacement, uniform carbon loading, and reliable sealing. The equipment can be equipped with honeycomb activated carbon (low pressure drop, large gas contact area, suitable for high airflow) or granular activated carbon (high adsorption capacity, suitable for low airflow and high concentration), selected based on waste gas properties and airflow.

Xicheng Environmental can design drawer-type activated carbon adsorption units based on treatment airflow, pollutant types, and concentrations, determining the amount of activated carbon to be loaded, the number of layers, and the residence time. The housing can be made of anti-corrosion and flame-retardant PP or PPs material, equipped with inlets and outlets, service doors, pressure differential sensors, and replacement indicators. It is suitable for purifying low-concentration, high-airflow organic waste gas and odors in industries such as painting, printing, chemical, and pharmaceutical manufacturing, often serving as end-of-pipe compliance or emergency treatment equipment.

Working Principle

Activated carbon adsorption is a physical adsorption process. After activation, activated carbon develops highly developed micropore structures and a vast specific surface area. As waste gas passes through the activated carbon layer, VOCs and odor molecules diffuse into the pores and are fixed by molecular forces (Van der Waals forces) on the pore surfaces, transferring pollutants from the gas phase to the solid-phase activated carbon, thereby purifying the gas. The straight-through small pores of honeycomb activated carbon and the interstitial gaps of granular carbon provide a large contact surface, allowing the waste gas to fully contact the activated carbon during its residence time in the adsorption layer.

Adsorption is a dynamic equilibrium process. The adsorption capacity of activated carbon is limited, and the adsorption front gradually moves toward the outlet during operation. When the pollutant concentration at the outlet reaches the breakthrough point (saturation), the activated carbon loses its purification ability and needs to be replaced or desorbed. The drawer-type carbon unit ensures uniform carbon layer thickness and airflow distribution through its layered drawers, guaranteeing full utilization of the activated carbon in each drawer. The housing is located in the negative pressure section of the system, preventing unfiltered gas from leaking outward. Adsorption is a physical process; pollutants are merely concentrated on the carbon and not destroyed. Saturated activated carbon is classified as hazardous waste or must be managed according to regulations, requiring disposal or regeneration by qualified units and not being discarded arbitrarily.

Structural Components

The drawer-type activated carbon adsorption unit consists of a housing, activated carbon drawers, activated carbon, airflow distribution plate, service door, inlets and outlets, and sealing structure. The housing is a welded rectangular structure with reinforced outer walls, with one end for inlet and the other for outlet. Internally, multiple drawer rails are arranged along the airflow direction. The housing is equipped with a service door and a clamping mechanism, with the number of drawers and layers designed based on airflow and carbon layer thickness.

The activated carbon drawers are frame structures with grilles. The bottom and windward surfaces are made of porous plates or grids, internally filled with honeycomb or granular activated carbon. After insertion, sealing strips compress the perimeter, forcing all airflow to pass through the carbon layer without short-circuiting. An airflow distribution plate can be installed on the inlet side to ensure uniform gas entry into each drawer, while a static pressure box is left on the outlet side. The housing is equipped with a pressure differential gauge connection to monitor carbon layer resistance and may include sampling ports for detecting inlet and outlet concentrations. The PP or PPs housing is acid-base resistant and flame-retardant, equipped with support legs, lifting lugs, and a service platform.

Specification and Model Table

The following table compares the characteristics of honeycomb and granular activated carbons. The carbon type should be selected based on waste gas properties.

Carbon Type	Features	Applicability
Honeycomb Activated Carbon	Direct-through channels, low resistance	High airflow, low concentration
Granular Activated Carbon	High capacity, flexible replacement	Low airflow, high concentration
Impregnated Modified Carbon	Targeted for specific gases	Acid-base or special waste gas

Product Features

The drawer-type activated carbon adsorption unit features a simple structure, convenient carbon replacement, and stable purification efficiency, making it a common equipment for treating low-concentration organic waste gas and odors. Its main features are as follows.

Physical adsorption by activated carbon, effective against multiple VOCs and odors
Drawer-type loading, quick and easy carbon replacement
Honeycomb carbon with low resistance, suitable for high-airflow organic waste gas
Layered carbon layers with uniform airflow, maximizing adsorption capacity utilization
Sealing strips ensure gas does not take short-circuits, preventing negative pressure leaks
PP or PPs housing, acid-base resistant and flame-retardant
Optional pressure differential and concentration monitoring to indicate carbon replacement needs

Box material	PP / PPs / Corrosion-Resistant Carbon Steel
Adsorbent materials	Honeycomb / Granular Activated Carbon
Filling Method	Drawer type tiered
Purification Principle	Physical adsorption of activated carbon
Object Processing	VOC organic exhaust odor
Operating Pressure	Blower Negative Pressure
Sealing Method	Drawer Seal Compression Our drawer seal compression solutions are designed to provide optimal sealing performance for industrial
Monitoring Configuration	Pressure Differential / Sampling Port Optional
Replacement Method	Draw out the drawer to replace the carbon
Specifications and Features	Non-standard design based on airflow

Application Industries

Adsorption and Purification of VOCs in Paint and Coating Exhaust
VOC Odor Treatment in Printing, Packaging, and Lamination Processes
Control of Low-Concentration Organic Gases in Chemical and Pharmaceutical Workshops
Adsorption of Exhaust Gases in Injection Molding and Screen Printing in Electronics and Plastics Industries
Odor and Odor Purification in Wastewater Treatment Plants and Landfills
Adsorption at the Exhaust End of Organic Ventilation Cabinets in Laboratories
Deep Treatment of Residual Organic Gases After Spraying and Washing

Typical Process Locations

The activated carbon adsorption box is typically installed after pre-treatment (e.g., filtration cotton, washing tower) and before or after the fan. The organic exhaust gas is first pre-treated to remove dust, oil mist, and water mist (which can block activated carbon pores and reduce adsorption capacity) before entering the activated carbon box for VOC adsorption. The purified gas is then discharged through a fan and exhaust stack. High-concentration organic exhaust is generally not directly treated with activated carbon; it is often pre-treated through condensation, spraying, or adsorption concentration. The activated carbon box is primarily used for low-concentration, high-volume terminal compliance. Operation space for drawer extraction and carbon material handling is left around the box.

During installation, the box is placed horizontally, with the inlet and outlet directions aligned with the airflow indicators. Drawers are inserted one by one and sealed tightly. Before operation, record the initial pressure difference of the carbon layer and the loading date. During operation, monitor the pressure difference and outlet concentration. Replace the activated carbon promptly when resistance increases significantly or the outlet concentration approaches the emission limit. The saturated activated carbon removed must be collected and stored as hazardous waste or according to local regulations, transferred to a qualified unit for disposal or regeneration, and transfer records must be retained. Random dumping is strictly prohibited.

No. Activated carbon exhibits good adsorption effects on most volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and odors such as benzene, toluene, xylene, esters, and ketones. However, it has weak adsorption capacity for low-molecular-weight, low-boiling-point substances (e.g., methane, ethylene). It tends to quickly saturate in high-concentration exhaust and may become ineffective due to pore blockage caused by dust, oil mist, or water mist. Strong acidic or alkaline gases may also corrode equipment. For water-soluble acidic or alkaline exhaust, a spray tower should be used first. High-concentration VOCs are best treated with catalytic combustion or regenerative thermal oxidation (RTO) processes. Activated carbon boxes are suitable for low-concentration, relatively uniform-composition organic exhaust and odor control with proper pretreatment. The gas composition must be clearly defined before selecting the appropriate type.

The replacement cycle of activated carbon is not fixed and depends on factors such as exhaust gas concentration, treatment air volume, operating time, and activated carbon loading. Generally, the outlet exhaust gas concentration is monitored to determine the need for replacement. When the outlet concentration approaches emission standards or the activated carbon reaches adsorption saturation, it should be replaced promptly. It is recommended to install inspection ports at the inlet and outlet of the equipment to regularly test the purification efficiency. Alternatively, a replacement schedule can be developed based on operational experience, such as every three to six months, with the specific frequency determined by actual conditions. Used activated carbon is classified as hazardous waste and should be properly disposed of by qualified third-party agencies.

Honeycomb activated carbon features block状 straight-through pore channels, offering high surface area, low airflow resistance, minimal clogging, and neat installation, making it ideal for high airflow and low concentration organic exhaust gas. It is the most common form used in drawer-style carbon boxes. Granular activated carbon provides high adsorption capacity, lower cost, and can be bulk-filled, but has higher resistance and may cause channeling, suitable for low airflow, higher concentration, or frequently replaced applications. For special gases like acid and alkali, modified activated carbon impregnated with specific agents can be selected. Specific carbon types and iodine adsorption values should be determined based on pollutant types by design.

The increase in resistance is primarily due to the blockage of activated carbon pores and channels by dust, oil mist, water mist, or crystallization, or the compaction of the carbon bed due to moisture. Pre-treatment at the front end should be strengthened: install filter cotton and demisters before the carbon chamber, and replace filter materials and drain condensate regularly; cleaned honeycomb carbon with blockage is difficult to restore performance, and is usually replaced directly; granular carbon can be sieved and partially replaced. Additionally, check if the airflow distribution plate and drawer seals are dusty. Maintaining a clean and dry state of the exhaust gas before entering the carbon chamber is key to extending the life of activated carbon and stabilizing resistance.

Activated carbon adsorption transfers pollutants from the gas phase to the solid phase without eliminating them. Saturated activated carbon becomes enriched with organic compounds, classifying it as a solid waste requiring regulated management (typically managed as hazardous waste in most cases). If disposed of indiscriminately, exposed to rain, or stored in high-temperature piles, the adsorbed organic compounds may desorb and release, causing secondary pollution and safety hazards. The correct approach involves collecting saturated carbon in a sealed manner, temporarily storing it in a compliant facility, entrusting qualified units for regeneration or disposal, and implementing the transfer manifest system. The container should also be protected from high temperatures, as activated carbon adsorption of certain substances carries the risk of temperature rise and fire.

Dust, oil mist, and water mist can coat and block the pores of activated carbon, causing it to fail quickly. Therefore, a pre-treatment process including filtration, oil removal, and mist removal should be applied before the activated carbon enters the carbon box. From a safety perspective, activated carbon adsorption of organic vapors generates adsorption heat. During continuous high-concentration, high-airflow adsorption, the bed may heat up. Ketones and other substances also pose oxidation and heat release risks. The inlet concentration and temperature should be controlled, temperature monitoring and necessary fire protection measures should be installed, the equipment should be kept away from ignition sources, and the carbon bed should be purged with fresh air before shutdown. For high-concentration VOC treatment, activated carbon adsorption should not be used directly. Instead, combustion-based processes or adsorption-desorption combination processes should be selected. Specific safety designs should be implemented in accordance with regulations.

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