Performance study on activated carbon filter systems at the U.S. Army Chemical Agent Munitions Disposal System (CAMDS)

The US Army has been actively involved in the development and application of activated carbon filter systems for many years. In recent years, this work has expanded to include control of toxic gases generated in industrial activities. Ensuring that plant emissions were controlled and complied with all appropriate state and federal requirements has been a major part of this program. This paper presents the results of a study of the performance of activated carbon filters used as the US Army Chemical Agent Munitions Disposal System (CAMDS). A wide range of contaminants (e.g., paint solvents and common industrial compounds) as well as the chemical of concern (sarin) passed into the filter systems. Filter performance was monitored on a continuous basis for any detectable sarin breakthrough. It was expected that trace readings would appear and gradually approach a predetermined level at which time the filters would be serviced. The plots, including data taken over an extended period, showed that high inlet concentrations tended to yield high filter efficiencies. When inlet concentrations were low however, the performance trended low. Careful investigation will become increasingly important when low concentrations of high toxicity or valuable compounds are of critical concern