Effects of SO2 and NO on removal of VOCs from simulated flue gas by using activated carbon fibers at low temperatures

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have serious detrimental effects on the environment and the health of human beings. The removal of pollutants from coal-fired power plants by activated carbon fiber (ACF) adsorption is a promising method. In this study, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was used to modify ACF samples and the methods of N2 adsorption isotherm and XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) were utilized to characterize the ACF samples. The adsorption tests of VOC (toluene as a typical representative) based on ACF were conducted and the effects of SO2 and NO on the adsorption of toluene were investigated. It was found that H2O2 modification had no impact on the BET surface and pore volume of the ACF sample, although it increased the oxygen groups on the ACF surface. The results also indicated that SO2 or NO inhibited the adsorption of VOC on ACF, and this inhibition strengthened with an increase in the concentration of SO2 or NO. It is also found that the coexistence of SO2 and NO deteriorates the adsorption of VOCs on ACF more seriously than the single existence of SO2 or NO.