The breakthrough volume was determined by studying the
release of RSC compounds in the outlet stream due to an excessive
sampling volume. For that, air passed (volume up to 4.3 m3
)
through spiked cartridges and the malodor compounds were determined,
calculating recovery percentages in both beds of sampling
cartridges. Since breakthrough depends mainly on the total
air volume of sample passed, tests were carried out at a fixed
sampling air flow of 1 L min1
. Recovery percentages were obtained
by testing the RSCs gas compounds using EUPHORE photoreactor
for calibration. The results were totally satisfactory since
RSCs were completely recovered For a maximum of 72 h-period
(total air volume up to 4.3 m3
), the breakthrough corresponded an
average RSC compounds concentration approximately 100 times
higher than landfill environmental concentrations (ranged between
1 and 30 mg m3 depend of RSC compounds). EU legislation
has set only a limit of 10 μg m3 of carbon disulfide — average
concentration in 24 h — and the levels allowed by U.S.A. legislation
are less than 10 μg m3 — average concentration in 8 h. The results
were satisfactory, because RSCs were completely recovered
from the top layer of the solid-phase sorbent (test t: pvalue40.05).