Project Number: 6435-41000-088-03
Project Type: Nonfunded Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: May 01, 2007
End Date: May 01, 2009

Objective:
The objective of this cooperative research project is to test activated carbon as adsorbent for removing acetaldehyde and formaldehyde from air streams.

Approach:
Agricutural byproducts such as almond shells, pecan shells, and oat hulls will be sized and mixed with 30% (by weight) phosphoric acid solution for 24 hrs. The acid-soaked material will be carbonized and activated in a 450C furnace under an air atmosphere. The activated carbons will be washed in hot water to remove excess phosphoric acid and ground to a uniform particles size. This material will be packed into small columns an air stream containing acetaldehyde and formaldehyde will be passed through the column and the exit gas tested for the contaminants. The result will guide the research efforts, indicating which of the adsorbents are better. The objectives of the collaboration will be reached if the ARS-developed sorbents are compared to commercial alternatives.