Grant: Alliance Grants

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are organic chemical compounds often released during processes that involve solvents use. These VOCs form a diverse mixture of organic compounds characterized by a broad spectrum of functional groups, boiling points, and volatility. Canada has implemented regulations to control and reduce their emissions into the atmosphere. This research aims to evaluate and improve the capture of VOC emissions from automotive paint booths through improved cyclic adsorption processes, employing simulation and optimization studies for enhanced efficiency. The focus is on utilizing innovative adsorbents, to capture VOCs under conditions that closely simulate real operational settings. Additionally, the investigation will evaluate the novel adsorbents under diverse operating conditions. This research will contribute to reduce VOCs emission and improve air quality. The outcomes will be valuable for various industries such as automotive manufacturing, oil, and chemical industries. Furthermore, the research aims to enhance ambient air quality, efficiently recover contaminants for potential power generation or reuse, and contribute to the training of personals and build a strong knowledge base around air pollution control engineering.