Alternative Treatment Technologies

Solvent Recovery System "Braysorb" – Nucon International, Inc.

The NUCON BRAYSORB Solvent Recovery System is an innovative application of commercially available technology and has been applied to regenerate adsorbent beds used to control emissions from SVE. The technology was demonstrated in a pilot-scale unit at the Savannah River site operated by the Department of Energy. Primary removal of contaminants is by an adsorbent bed such as granular activated carbon (GAC). Adsorbents such as GAC must be disposed of after their capacity to retain contaminants is exceeded. In the BRAYSORB process nitrogen gas is compressed by a turbopump, which results in its heating, and the heated gas is used to drive contaminants such as chlorinated solvents off of the adsorbent bed, thereby restoring its adsorption capacity. The nitrogen gas that is carrying the solvent vapors are then expanded through a turbine which results in its cooling. The solvents condense out of the cooled gas stream and are then collected as a much smaller liquid volume for further treatment. The cleaned gas coming out of the expansion process is also used to precool the inlet gas after the solvents have been separated, helping to recover some of the energy of the process. The energy efficiency of the process allows the adsorbent to be reused, reducing the overall expenses associated with replacing and disposal of the adsorbent.

The new application utilizes well understood, proven, commercially available technologies. The combination and application to regenerate the adsorbent is considered to be the "novel" innovation that provides significant advantages: energy efficiency of regeneration of sorbent, and simple, reliable components that are not subject to frequent failures. Additional information can be obtained from the EPA Reachit.org web site. Use the "Custom Search" with a "narrow search" and the vendor name Nucon International, Inc. or press here for a copy of the summary HTML file. A communication from the vendor indicates that the technology may not be suitable for dilute concentrations since the gas returning to the adsorbent bed may exceed typical emission limits for chlorinated solvents.