To promote the standardization and normalization of the use of activated carbon adsorption as an end-of-pipe exhaust gas treatment technology in industrial enterprises, from September 6 to 14, the Bao'an Administration of the Municipal Ecology and Environment Bureau (hereinafter referred to as the “Bao'an Administration”) organized five briefing sessions on the application and management of activated carbon in VOCs-emitting industrial enterprises in Bao'an District. Experts from the Bao'an District Environmental Protection Industry Association were invited to provide guidance during these sessions, thereby driving a comprehensive enhancement of industrial enterprises’ capacity to treat exhaust gases using activated carbon. More than 200 representatives from VOCs-emitting enterprises across all subdistricts in the district attended the training sessions.
The meeting first reported on issues identified during routine inspections, including activated carbon that had not been replaced for extended periods or facilities that were not operating properly; activated carbon that was severely damp or damaged; the use of low-quality carbon; and air leaks in activated carbon housing units. The meeting also promoted the Shenzhen Technical Guidance (Trial) for Replacing Activated Carbon Used in the Treatment of Industrial Organic Waste Gases, highlighting key indicators such as activated carbon iodine value, replacement intervals, and filling quantities.
To vividly and visually compare the quality of activated carbon, the meeting also provided activated carbon samples with varying iodine values—both high and low—for interaction with enterprises. The meeting highlighted the “one weigh, two look, three test” method for identifying activated carbon quality, as well as the operational procedure for using the “Code-Based Carbon Replacement” official WeChat account to electronically submit information on the operation and maintenance of activated carbon systems. The meeting emphasized that the use of activated carbon treatment facilities not only helps enterprises meet emission standards for waste gases but also reduces operational and production risks, thereby avoiding enforcement actions and penalties by regulatory authorities.
From the perspective of service enterprises, experts from the district’s environmental protection industry association outlined various factors influencing the quality of activated carbon, including operational maintenance and hazardous waste disposal. They also compared the total cost implications for enterprises when purchasing activated carbon with different iodine values. Furthermore, given the renewable nature of high-iodine-value activated carbon, the experts proposed a one-stop, closed-loop management model encompassing “procurement, use, replacement, and regeneration.” This management approach not only enables source-level control over activated carbon quality and achieves environmental benefits but also helps enterprises reduce costs by repeatedly regenerating the activated carbon.
This round of activated carbon awareness campaigns has drawn widespread attention from enterprises, enabling them to fully recognize the importance of activated carbon quality and maintenance. During the event, enterprise representatives learned valuable skills for identifying and selecting high-quality activated carbon. At the same time, enterprises expressed a growing preference for using regenerated activated carbon, which not only enhances the efficiency of exhaust gas treatment but also reduces their operational costs. Moreover, enterprise representatives expressed gratitude for the one-on-one expert guidance and tailored renovation and management strategies provided by the ecological and environmental protection authorities, which have played a positive role in helping enterprises embark on a path of green development.
Next, the Bao'an Administration of the Municipal Ecology and Environment Bureau will implement the regulatory requirements for activated carbon issued by the provincial and municipal authorities, and further strengthen the management of the activated carbon adsorption process in the treatment of industrial organic waste gases. By combining routine supervision with supportive guidance, we will provide attentive reminder services to promptly alert enterprises when their activated carbon has lost its effectiveness, thereby ensuring that enterprises consistently meet emission standards for their waste gases.