Preliminary investigations were made
with three pure solvents—methyl ethyl
ketone, toluene, and aliphatic mineral
spirits. Complex solvent mixtures,
typical of those found in various surface
coating formulations, have been tested.
Paints, lacquers, and enamels will
also be sprayed so that optimum design
parameters and standards can be
established. Variables under investigation
include the optimum carbon bed
thickness, pressure drop through the
bed, the type of pre-cleaners required to
protect the carbon, optimum number of
adsorbing vessels, the desorption requirements,
overall solvent recovery
efficiency, capital costs, and operating
expenses.