VOCs and Solvents

About

Companies that handle fossil fuel products and solvents or produce biogas need a reliable and flexible technology to remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs). DESOTEC is the answer: we’re your one-stop shop, offering a full-service sustainable filtration solution tailored to your company’s needs.

What are VOCs?

VOCs are a group of hydrocarbons that evaporate at low temperatures. There are thousands of VOCs, many of which are generated naturally. The following chemicals are among the most common VOC emissions:

  • Oil derivatives, such as benzene and toluene.
  • Solvents, including acetone, butyl acetate, xylol, butanol, and ethyl benzene.
  • Alcohols, such as methanol and ethanol.
  • Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes).
  • Halogenated organic compounds, which contain chlorine, bromine, fluorine, or iodine, e.g. methyl dichloride or dichloromethane (DCM) and mono-chlorobenzene (MCB).
  • Siloxanes and terpenes.

Why is VOC removal important?

Where industrial VOC and solvent emissions pose problems, DESOTEC’s mobile sustainable filters provide simple yet effective solutions.

VOCs and solvents can have serious impacts on human health. Some of them can cause cancer, while others are toxic. Benzene, DCM, and acetone are just a few examples of VOCs that DESOTEC filters can remove.

VOC emissions are a leading cause of ground-level air pollution. VOCs react with nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide to form tropospheric ozone – a major component of smog and a greenhouse gas (GHG) contributing to climate change. BTEX and chlorinated solvents such as DCM present serious risks to the environment. Again, you can tap into DESOTEC’s activated carbon filters to remove these compounds.

Some solvents and VOCs such as terpenes, styrene, alkanes, and naphthalene cause odor nuisance for site workers and neighboring residents. By treating VOC emissions, DESOTEC’s mobile sustainable filtration solutions keep community relations harmonious.

The presence of VOCs in the biogas stream hinders its upgrading to biomethane. Removing VOCs from biogas, DESOTEC filters enable its conversion into biomethane.

What are the sources of VOC emissions?

VOCs are commonly emitted from solvents, often used as coatings or as cleaning products, and fossil fuel derivatives, including mineral oils, bitumen, and plastics.

They are released by various activities:

  • Manufacturing processes in the chemical industry.
  • Reactive processes in plastics and composites manufacturing.
  • Spraying and gluing.
  • Food processing.
  • Cleaning and maintenance.
  • Chemical storage, loading, and transportation.
  • Waste management.
  • Soil remediation.

DESOTEC’s activated carbon filters purify VOC emissions and process gases from industries.

Reducing VOCs and solvents in air emissions is essential to protect occupational health, maintain air quality, and avoid contributing to climate change. DESOTEC’s simple mobile filtration solutions can help industries protect people’s health and the planet.

Helping You Comply

To keep the air we breathe fresh and clean, companies must comply with strict VOC regulations.

At the European level, the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) incorporates both the VOC Solvents Emissions Directive and the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) Directive. The National Emissions Ceiling (NEC) sets VOC reduction commitments for each EU member state.

At the national level, country-specific laws are in place, such as TA Luft in Germany, and certain regions or localities can have their own regulations as well. Finally, local environmental authorities set the terms of factory operating licenses.

As scientists uncover more about the impacts of VOCs and solvents, legislators will tighten their emission limits accordingly. DESOTEC’s mobile activated carbon filtration services ensure your company’s VOC compliance, thus future-proofing your business.

How We Help You

Busy companies need a single point-of-contact for all their filtration needs. DESOTEC offers full-service mobile solutions that include everything, from purification needs assessment to filter set up to waste handling.

Activated carbon is certified as the Best Available Technology (BAT) for many VOC and solvent applications. Setups are tailored to meet your needs, and our filters function as standalone treatments or in combination with other technologies. The filters are plug-and-play and modular, making them both simple and adaptable.

We transport all filtration waste in closed units away from customers’ sites. All adsorbed molecules are completely destroyed and, where possible, carbon is reactivated, giving you a circular solution that boosts your business profits and environmental responsibility. Where reactivation is impossible, waste is treated safely. Our R&D team is continually in search of new treatment solutions to further enhance sustainability.

DESOTEC Sustainable Mobile Filtration Solutions

The DESOTEC team has been helpful. They guided us toward the most effective solution for our air emissions problem. Filters were installed quickly and functional.

Our Filtration Solutions

Flexible, mobile, and modular solutions with sustainable waste handling and 24/7 support. With DESOTEC by your side, it’s easy to go green.

Our Filtration Solutions