Control of odors has long been recognized by ASHRAE as one of the basic factors in the total comfort concept of air conditioning. The standard method suggested as a means to control odors is the use of activated carbon, a material known to have the ability to trap or adsorb many of the substances which manifest themselves as odors in air. One drawback to effective application of carbon in this field has been the lack of basic data on the capacity of carbon for odors and its performance in removal of odors from air. The development of bonded activated oarbon, a product which can be made into various rigid shapes and is therefore more readily adapted to small air conditioning installations; opens up new interest in this application for carbon. Accordingly, an odor removal study was initiated by Pittsburgh Activated Carbon Division.

In this study, a beginning attempt has been made to establish performance data which will provide a sound and effective basis for the application of activated carbon for odor removal. In particular, a better definition of the capacity of activated carbon forodorants and a means of determining the life of carbon in such service were sought.