Industrial Carbon Purification Model

Industrial Carbon Purification Model:

Industrial Carbon Purification Model

1. Project Overview

Title: Simulating Industrial Flue Gas Purification Objective: To demonstrate how factories utilize filtration and adsorption to remove particulate matter (smoke/soot) and harmful chemicals from their emissions before releasing them into the atmosphere. Target Audience: Middle to High School Science Students. Industrial Carbon Purification Model

2. The Science Behind It

This project models two specific types of industrial cleaning:

1. Physical Filtration: Trapping solid particles (like soot and ash).
2. Adsorption (Activated Carbon): Using activated charcoal to trap microscopic chemical contaminants and odors. Activated carbon has a massive surface area that “grabs” organic compounds from the air.

3. Materials Needed

• 2 Plastic Bottles (500ml or 1L): One will be the “combustion chamber,” the other the “filter tower.”
• Activated Charcoal (Carbon): Available at aquarium supply stores or pharmacies.
• Cotton Balls or Polyfill: For physical filtration.
• Sand (Fine): For layering.
• Gravel/Small Stones: For drainage/airflow structure.
• Flexible Tubing (1-2 feet): Aquarium airline tubing or a plastic straw.
• Hot Glue Gun or Clay: To seal connections.
• Source of “Pollution”: Incense sticks or a small piece of paper (Use caution).
• Scissors/Hobby Knife.Industrial Carbon Purification Model

4. Step-by-Step Construction

Phase 1: Preparing the Filter Tower

This unit represents the “Scrubber” or purification tower used in factories.

1. Cut the Bottle: Take one plastic bottle and cut the bottom off (about 1 inch from the base). Keep the cap on.
2. Drill the Cap: Poke a small hole in the center of the bottle cap, just large enough to fit your flexible tubing.
3. Layer the Filter Materials: Invert the bottle (cap facing down). Add materials in the following order (from bottom/cap to top):
   • Layer 1 (Bottom): A dense layer of Cotton. This stops the charcoal from falling out and catches fine dust.
   • Layer 2: Activated Charcoal. This is the most important layer. Fill about 2-3 inches. It removes odors and invisible chemicals.
   • Layer 3: Fine Sand. Acts as a secondary filter for smaller particles.
   • Layer 4: Gravel/Stones. Keeps the layers pressed down and prevents turbulence from displacing the sand.
   • Layer 5 (Top): Another layer of Cotton. This is the “Pre-filter” that catches the heavy smoke particles (soot).

Phase 2: The Combustion Chamber

This unit represents the factory furnace or engine.

1. Take the second bottle. Drill a hole in the cap similar to the first one.
2. Insert one end of the flexible tubing into this cap and seal it airtight with hot glue or clay.
3. Connect the other end of the tubing to the cap of your Filter Tower (Phase 1).Industrial Carbon Purification Model
4. Ensure the connection is airtight.

Phase 3: Assembly

1. Mount the Filter Tower upside down (wide opening facing up) on a stand or inside a jar so it stays vertical.
2. The tubing should run from the top of the Combustion Chamber bottle into the bottom (cap) of the Filter Tower.

5. Running the Experiment (The Process)

Safety Warning: Perform this experiment in a well-ventilated area or outdoors. Do not burn plastic. Use safety goggles.

1. Generate Smoke: Light 2-3 incense sticks. Let them burn for a moment, then blow out the flame so they are producing heavy smoke.
2. Capture Emissions: Place the incense sticks inside the “Combustion Chamber” bottle and screw the cap (with the tube attached) onto it.
3. Pump the Air (The Draft):
   • Method A (Passive): Heat rises. If the tubing is short and vertical, smoke may rise naturally.
   • Method B (Active – Recommended): Squeeze the Combustion Chamber bottle gently to push the smoke through the tube and up into the Filter Tower. (Or use a small aquarium air pump to push smoke through).
4. Observe: Watch the smoke enter the bottom of the filter.Industrial Carbon Purification Model

6. Observations & Results

• Input: You will see thick, white/grey smoke leaving the Combustion Chamber.
• Process: As the smoke travels through the tubing, it enters the Filter Tower. You will see the bottom layer of cotton turning grey/black (trapping particulate matter).
• Output: Smell the air coming out of the top of the Filter Tower.
  • Visual: The air exiting the top should be clear, not smoky.
  • Olfactory: The strong smell of the incense should be significantly reduced or neutralized by the activated charcoal.Industrial Carbon Purification Model

7. Conclusion

This project successfully demonstrates Adsorption and Filtration.

1. The cotton layers acted as Electrostatic Precipitators or Bag Filters do in real industry, physically trapping solids.
2. The activated carbon acted as a Chemical Scrubber, trapping the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that cause odor and toxicity.

In real-world industries, this process prevents tons of hazardous carbon and sulfur compounds from entering the atmosphere, reducing acid rain and respiratory diseases.

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