Real-Time PTR-MS monitoring of VOC breakthrough profiles to estimate the working adsorption capacity of domestic filter materials

Recirculating range hoods use activated-carbon filters to reduce cooking odours and VOCs. Nitrogen adsorption on shredded filter samples characterizes accessible surface area and pore structure, but it does not show how the carbon is distributed on its supporting mat or how the complete filter performs under flow. We therefore measure the working adsorption capacity of intact filter cartridges by monitoring the outlet concentration of methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), a model VOC, in real time with PTR-MS. We then compare this capacity with the pore measurements to examine how both material properties and filter architecture relate to performance.