Apparatus and method for removing volatile organic compounds from an air stream

An apparatus for using adsorbent material to remove volatile organic compounds from a stream of contaminated air, comprising:

• a hollow main column for containing and mixing contaminated air and adsorbent material therein, the main column having a first end and a second end;
• an airflow device for creating an airflow of contaminated air within the main column;
• and
• a release element coupled to the main column for containing the adsorbent material and releasing the contained absorbent material into the airflow of contaminated air within the main column.

An apparatus for using adsorbent material to remove volatile organic compounds from a stream of contaminated air, comprising:

• a hollow main column for containing and mixing contaminated air and adsorbent material therein, the main column being disposed generally vertically and having a first end and a second end;
• an airflow device for creating an airflow within the main column in order to cause and control a flow of the contaminated air through the main column such that the adsorbent material is suspended in the contaminated air, whereby an entire surface area of the suspended adsorbent material is exposed to the contaminated air;
• and
• reconditioning means for removing volatile organic compounds adhering to the adsorbent material and for transferring from the second end to the first end of the main column adsorbent material from which volatile organic compounds have been removed.

An apparatus for using absorbent material to remove volatile organic compounds from a stream of contaminated air, comprising:

• a chamber having an intake port and an exhaust port;
• means connected to the intake port and exhaust port for forcing contaminated air through the chamber at a rate sufficient to support absorbent material;
• and
• means disposed within the chamber between the intake port and the exhaust port for releasing absorbent material into the chamber, whereby the absorbent material is suspended by the contaminated air flowing through the chamber.

An apparatus for using adsorbent material to remove volatile organic compounds from a stream of contaminated air, comprising:

• means for containing contaminated air and adsorbent material therein;
• means for creating an airflow of contaminated air within said means for containing such that the adsorbent material is suspended in the contaminated air for adsorbing the volatile organic compounds;
• and
• means coupled to said containing means for releasing adsorbent material into the airflow of contaminated air within said means for containing.