Enabling a waste management company to meet lower VOC emissions limits
When environmental regulations are tightened, companies may find they need to reach new lower limits in order to renew their operational permits. DESOTEC supports many companies in the waste sector with sustainable mobile activated carbon solutions, enabling them to remain compliant at all times. This case study from Italy illustrates how our hassle-free, space-saving filtration solution is reducing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by at least 90% at one waste treatment site, so the company can reach its business and sustainability goals.
Key takeaways
- Our filters have a relatively small footprint, making them ideal for crowded sites.
- Thanks to our filters’ mobile design and our regional hubs, we can deliver swiftly – within a week in urgent situations.
- Our solutions are plug-and-play: they are simple to set up, and start filtration immediately.
The challenge
This major company treats municipal waste at a site in northern Italy, including recycling metals and plastics.
It stores waste in a ventilated warehouse, with air extracted to a dust filter before being emitted to the atmosphere.
This air contains low concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and solvents: usually around 20-30 mg/ m³, but sometimes peaking to 50-100 mg/m³, especially during hot weather.
However, after new regulations were introduced under the EU Industrial Emissions Directive, the company was given a VOC limit of just 10 mg/ m³ when it came to renew its operations permit.
It considered installing a regenerative thermal oxidiser (RTO), but realised this would be inefficient for the flow rate of 20 000 m³/ h. Furthermore, the company had neither the time nor the space for such a major installation.
The client was already working with DESOTEC on biogas projects at other sites, and attended a webinar we gave about our VOC and odour treatment. It contacted us for solutions in the summer of 2024.
The solution
The company told us it wanted a straightforward solution that required minimal attention from site staff. The fact that carbon waste treatment is included as part of DESOTEC’s service was therefore highly attractive.
In addition, as a public environmental services company, the client wanted a reliable and effective solution that would enhance the sustainability of its operations.
Our experts recommended an AIRCON V filter, whose vertical design means it fits into even small spaces at busy sites.
According to our calculations, this filter, filled with six tonnes of carbon, would last for more than three months before saturation. As the VOCs emitted at the site are variable in type and concentration, we determined that a standard carbon grade would be most suitable.
The company gave us the go-ahead, and we delivered the filter in September 2024 to start working the following month.
The results
Tests show the filter is reducing VOCs by more than 90% to 2-3 mg/ m³ – well below the new limits. The client is delighted with the solution.
A further plus is that odours have been reduced. Although the site had not been subject to odour complaints from neighbours, it is now a pleasanter environment for workers and visitors.
As of January 2025, 4 months in, the filter had not yet required exchange, validating DESOTEC’s engineers original calculations. When it becomes saturated, exchange will be a quick and simple process requiring no operational downtime.
DESOTEC will transport the closed filter away to its own facilities for emptying, sampling and sorting. The carbon waste will then be thermally treated, destroying the VOCs.
It is expected that the carbon will be suitable for reactivation and reuse, driving down the client’s costs and further boosting sustainability.
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Our unique service
Our closed-loop, full-service model is as unique as your business needs. We’ll define the right filtration setup and safely recycle filtration waste, making it easy to go green. -
VOCs and Solvents
It’s vital to reduce VOCs and solvents in air emissions to protect occupational health, maintain air quality, and avoid contributing to climate change. -
Waste and wastewater management
Sustainable air and water purification for waste management and recycling to protect our environment and control odours.