ActiCo – activated carbon filters

APROVIS ActiCo

Effective gas purification through activated carbon filters

APROVIS ActiCo activated carbon filters are used when gases are contaminated with hydrogen sulphide (H₂S), siloxanes or other substances. This is the case, for example, with biogas, sewage gas or landfill gas. The ActiCo reliably removes these pollutants from the process gas for further use in combined heat and power plants or biogas treatment plants. The hydrogen sulphide must be separated so the combined heat and power plant can be operated with an exhaust gas catalytic converter. This gas purification reduces the plant’s downtimes and increases operational reliability. With its comprehensive range of services, as an innovative technology company APROVIS thus significantly optimises CHP plants’ combustion process.

What you can expect with an APROVIS ActiCo:

Careful gas purification
Reduction of emissions
Damage prevention
Higher operational reliability
An improved combustion process
An extended activated carbon service life

Activated carbon’s important job

The process of adsorption is necessary to desulphurise the process gas and separate siloxanes. The hydrogen sulphide contained in the gas is converted into elemental sulphur by a physical / chemical process. This accumulates on the porous surface of the ActiCo system’s specially treated activated carbon. Siloxanes are removed based on a physical process.
All components that come into contact with media are made of high-quality stainless steel (316L or equivalent), which ensures that the ActiCo systems have a long service life.

The important function of gas purification

In a CHP plant without an exhaust gas catalytic converter, a small proportion of hydrogen sulphide in the combustion gas is still tolerable. However, if there is an exhaust gas catalytic converter, there must be next to no hydrogen sulphide in the combustion gas. In the engine, about 95% of hydrogen sulphide is converted to sulphur dioxide (SO₂) and about 5% to sulphur trioxide (SO₃). While the proportion of sulphur dioxide can initially be neglected, the sulphur trioxide in the exhaust gas is converted into sulphuric acid (H₂SO₄). This destroys the exhaust gas heat exchanger downstream of the engine in the short term. However, a catalytic converter completely converts the sulphur dioxide to sulphur trioxide. The very low proportion of hydrogen sulphide in the combustion gas is then offset by a high proportion of sulphuric acid. So when an exhaust gas catalytic converter is used, there must be next to no hydrogen sulphide in the combustion gas.

Designs of APROVIS ActiCo

ActiCo-Mini for very small quantities of gas

The ActiCo-Mini is the name of the compact version for very small quantities of gas (max. 70 Nm³ /h). It is an affordable variant that works with about 60 kg of activated carbon. ActiCo-Mini is particularly suitable in the sewage gas sector. A perforated base in the container ensures optimum flow distribution through the activated carbon filling. The loaded activated carbon is removed from the container through the opening in the side. Filling is carried out with a Big Bag through the filling opening on the lid.

What the APROVIS ActiCo-Mini has to offer:

Single-chamber variant
1 measuring nozzle for monitoring pollutants in the container
Inertisation nozzle
Insulated activated carbon container

2 threaded flange flaps for gas inlet and outlet
Initial filling with doped activated carbon
Filling from above; drainage from the side
Additional options are possible

ActiCo-Basic for quantities of gas from 80 Nm³/h

The ActiCo-Basic is recommended for quantities of gas from approx. 80 Nm³/h. The activated carbon filter is positioned on the base; this design is efficient and affordable. A perforated base in the container ensures optimum flow distribution through the activated carbon filling. The loaded activated carbon is removed from the container through the opening in the side. Filling is carried out with a Big Bag through the filling opening on the lid.

What the APROVIS ActiCo-Basic has to offer:

Single-chamber variant
3 measuring nozzles for monitoring pollutants in the container
Inertisation nozzle
2 threaded flange flaps for gas inlet and outlet

Initial filling with doped activated carbon
Filling from above; drainage from the side
Insulated activated carbon container
Additional options are possible

ActiCo-Pro for quantities of gas from 80 Nm³/h with a dual-chamber system

Like the ActiCo-Basic, the ActiCo-Pro is suitable for quantities of gas from 80 Nm³/h. A 2-in-1 multi-slider integrated gas-tight in the container can be operated like a dual-chamber system in conjunction with the measuring connections and the custom option. This makes full use of the activated carbon’s loading capacity, and unloaded activated carbon does not have to be disposed of. The 2-in-1 multi-slider permits metered and easy drainage of the activated carbon. A special service platform that we can supply is recommended for filling and working on the container.

What the APROVIS ActiCo-Pro has to offer:

Dual-chamber variant
4 measuring nozzles for monitoring pollutants in the container
2 inertisation nozzles with shut-off ball valves and screw plugs
2 threaded flange flaps for gas inlet and outlet

Gas-tight 2-in-1 multi-slider (slide valve) for drainage
Initial filling with doped activated carbon
Filling from above; drainage from below
Insulated activated carbon container
Additional options are possible: e.g. service platform, lifting device for activated carbon

ActiCo-ProDuo with convenient lifting device for filling

This is the most user-friendly variant of the ActiCo family. Similar to the ActiCo-Pro, the ActiCo-ProDuo can also be operated as a dual-chamber system with a 2-in-1 multi-slider integrated gas-tight in the container in conjunction with the measuring connections and the custom option. This makes full use of the activated carbon’s loading capacity, and unloaded activated carbon does not have to be disposed of. A lifting device firmly assembled on the activated carbon filter is used to fill the activated carbon container. A service platform with ladder makes operation easier and increases health and safety.

What the APROVIS ActiCo-ProDuo has to offer:

Dual-chamber variant
4 measuring nozzles for monitoring hydrogen sulphide in the container
2 inertisation nozzles with shut-off ball valves and screw plugs
2 threaded flange flaps for gas inlet and outlet

Gas-tight 2-in-1 multi-slider (slide valve) for drainage
Initial filling with doped activated carbon
Service platform with ladder
Convenient lifting device for filling the activated carbon
Filling from above; drainage from below
Insulated activated carbon container

Customised and system-specific options for the ActiCo

For all the ActiCo models listed above, being an industry expert APROVIS also supplies additional options. An example from our range of services:

Flex heater: The Flex heater keeps the ActiCo container at temperature when there is no continuous flow through it. This helps to prevent condensation of moisture and thus a negative influence on the activated carbon. Heating is carried out using hot water. If hot water is not available at the biogas plant, APROVIS can also provide a suitable solution.

Additional highlights and functions of the ActiCo systems from APROVIS:

Pollutant breakthrough can be determined directly with a gas analyser via the measuring connection. Alternatively, a gas sample can be taken and analysed in the lab.

What are your requirements?

Talk to our competent contacts and discover the advantages and possibilities for your application. We analyse, advise and supply swift and suitable solutions. We look forward to hearing from you.