Activated Carbon Adsorption Systems
APC Technologies’ CarbonPure activated carbon adsorption systems can provide 99%+ control efficiency for many gas-phase contaminants.
APC’s activated carbon adsorption systems have a proven record of emissions compliance and reliability across a variety of industries and demanding environments.
Proven Solution for a Wide Range of Emission Control Applications
- Volatile Organic Compound (VOCs) control
- Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) control
- Dioxins and furans control
- Mercaptan and other sulfurous compound control
- Odor control
- Siloxane control
- Mercury control (see Mercury Emission Control)
- Cl2 and certain other non-VOC gaseous compound control
Featured Activated Carbon Adsorption Systems Projects
Sewage Sludge Incinerators
APC has multi-stage activated carbon systems controlling mercury, dioxins/ furans, and hazardous VOCs on seven sewage sludge incinerators in the US, with more systems scheduled for shipment in 2024 and 2025.
Asphalt Terminal
Three VOC and H₂S control systems for loading racks at an oil refinery in the Western US.
Spray-Drying
VOC and odor control for spray-drying processes for a client in the Midwest US.
Oil Pipeline Terminals
Odor, H₂S, and VOC control for oil storage tanks in Western Canada and the US.
EV Battery Production
VOC condensation and removal from coater exhaust on an EV & lithium-ion battery production process in the Western US.
Benefits of our CarbonPure Activated Carbon Adsorption Systems
workspace_premiumProven Compliance and Performance
APC’s CarbonPure activated carbon adsorption systems have a proven track record of environmental compliance and reliable performance across numerous industries and demanding environments.
workspace_premiumLow Capital and Operating Cost
APC’s activated carbon systems have much lower capital costs than RTOs and other oxidizers, owing to the simple technology of activated carbon. Much simpler installation, and no complex valves and controls to maintain. No high monthly natural gas bills.
workspace_premiumLong Carbon Bed Life
In cases where fine particulate, oil mist, or other contaminants may also be present, exhaust gases are first drawn through a pre-filter, typically APC’s exclusive Ultra High-Efficiency Filter (UHF®) unit or, alternately, another filter type appropriate for the application. Removing fine solid- and liquid-phase particulate from the gas stream ahead of the carbon bed ensures high performance by the carbon and extends the life of the activated carbon bed. APC’s design also mitigates condensation in the carbon bed, further adding to carbon bed life.
workspace_premiumMinimal Maintenance – Set It and Forget It
APC’s activated carbon systems are virtually maintenance free, as activated carbon technology is passive and relatively simple, and APC’s design provides excellent protection of the carbon bed. No complicated RTO valves, natural gas/combustion trains with complicated controls, or high-temperature conditions.
workspace_premiumNo Greenhouse Gases Produced
Unlike oxidizers that burn natural gas to heat up huge volumes of air in order to remove a few ppm of VOCs, no greenhouse gases are produced by the VOC removal process since no natural gas is used.
Our Activated Carbon Adsorption Systems Serve The Following Industries
Click to flip each card.
Shredding, Recycling, and Metals
- Aluminum fabrication plants
- Aluminum rolling mills
- Defense
- Electronics recycling
- Foundries
- Metals
- Scrap recycling
- Scrap shredding
- Silver sintering
- Steel fabrication
Oil, Asphalt, and Petrochemicals
- Adhesives
- Asphalt terminals
- Lubricant production
- Oil pipeline terminals
- Oil refineries
- Oil storage tanks
- Petrochemical plants
- Plastics
- Polymers
- Resins
- Rubber products
Food, Packaging, and Consumer Products
- Bakeries
- Cannabis
- Drying ovens
- Flavors
- Foam products
- Food and beverages
- Food processing
- Fragrances
- Furniture
- Packaging
- Pharmaceuticals
- Pulp and paper manufacturing
- Rendering
- Spray-drying operations
- Textile finishing
- Tires
Chemicals, Solvents, and Construction Materials
- Building materials
- Chemical plants
- Coating operations
- Composites
- Curing ovens
- Flooring
- Indoor plant air
- Insulation products
- Paint booths
- Painting operations
- Printing
- Roofing products
- Sealants
Energy, Electronics, and Batteries
- Battery production lines
- Bioenergy
- Circuit board production
- Electronics
- EV & Lithium-ion battery plants
- Solar panel production plants
- Solar power plants
Incineration and Waste Management
- Digester gas cleaning (biogas)
- Incinerators
- Landfill gas cleaning
- Sewage Sludge Incineration (SSIs)
- Waste incineration
- Wastewater treatment
See a full list of our industries served.
Interested in one of our Activated Carbon Adsorption Systems?
Talk to one of our experts today.
engineering
APC Technologies is here to support you every step of the way. We’ll work to learn the details of your process emissions and recommend the best emission control system to meet your needs and goals.
Phone: 412.344.1870
Activated Carbon for Air Pollution Control
Activated carbon is one of the most effective and versatile materials for air pollution control because of its extraordinary surface area, high adsorption capacity for contaminants, and versatility. Used in air applications ranging from homes to hospitals to industrial process exhaust, activated carbon removes thousands of volatile contaminants from industrial exhaust gases and other air streams—contaminants including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), dioxins and furans, most volatile and semi-volatile PFAS compounds, and odors—with removal efficiency levels of 99%+ in many applications.
Each gram of activated carbon contains hundreds of square meters of surface area, creating a dense network of pores that physically trap and hold gas-phase pollutants. The micro-, meso-, and macro-pore structure varies by carbon type and should be customized to the contaminants at hand.
Unlike many control technologies, which are designed for a narrow class of emissions, activated carbon is effective against a wide spectrum of volatile contaminants, from organic vapors to inorganic gases and odors, making it a go-to solution for complex or mixed exhaust streams across many industries.
Beyond standard adsorption (physisorption), which is effective for most VOCs, activated carbon can be chemically impregnated to enhance its ability to remove specific pollutants such as mercury, certain VOCs, and certain acid gases. These surface reactions transform harmful compounds into stable, non-volatile forms, preventing re-release.
Activated carbon systems control emissions without combustion or thermal oxidation, meaning no fossil fuels are consumed for combustion, and no greenhouse gases are produced. They also operate at ambient temperatures, eliminating the high fuel and maintenance costs associated with oxidizers or thermal systems.
Because activated carbon generally operates through natural adsorption rather than mechanical or chemical reactions requiring frequent attention, it offers consistent, reliable performance and is well-suited for continuous industrial operations.
Together, these characteristics make activated carbon one of the most proven and efficient air pollution control technologies available today, achieving regulatory compliance with optimal energy performance, rugged reliability, and minimal operating costs.
Spotlight Project: Activated Carbon VOC Removal
At a large asphalt terminal in the Western U.S., APC Technologies designed and furnished a CarbonPure Activated Carbon Adsorption System to provide activated carbon VOC removal and comprehensive air pollution control. The system eliminated odor complaints, reduced hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) emissions, and removed visible emissions from storage tank and truck loading operations.
The facility’s asphalt storage tanks and loading racks emitted vapors containing volatile organic compounds (VOCs), H₂S, and other odorous compounds during product transfer and tank breathing. APC provided a two-stage solution consisting of its Ultra High-Efficiency Filter (UHF®) unit followed by a CarbonPure Activated Carbon Adsorption System. The UHF® pre-filter removes fine oil mist and condensed hydrocarbons, protecting the downstream activated carbon and ensuring maximum adsorption efficiency and long carbon bed life.
Once filtered, the exhaust gas passes through twin beds of activated carbon, which effectively adsorb VOCs, sulfur compounds including H₂S, and odorous compounds from the air stream. The result: elimination of H₂S exposure, 99% removal efficiency of odors and VOCs, and restored regulatory compliance for the terminal.
After installation, all odor complaints from nearby residents and the local municipality ceased, and the site achieved continuous, reliable operation with minimal maintenance and zero visible emissions. The project – and many other APC projects for asphalt applications — show APC’s CarbonPure Activated Carbon Adsorption Systems delivering compliant, cost-effective performance for asphalt terminals, refineries, and other asphalt-related processes.
Proven Emission Control Experience
We are an established leader in emission control systems with over two decades of successful installations.
engineeringOver 50 industries served.
autorenew40% of projects are for repeat customers.
workspace_premium20+ years of proven installations in emission control applications.
punch_clock6,804,000,000,000 CF (cubic feet) of polluted air treated.
APC proudly serves Fortune 50 companies, small businesses, and everything in between.
Check out our Selected Customers List and our Project Gallery to learn more about our work.