Removing MCB from air emissions during RTO maintenance

At its plant in Germany, this multinational company produces methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI), a chemical intermediate used for production of polymer-based materials such as polyurethane (PU). This is used in a wide range of industries – from making foam car seating to mattresses and insulation.

On site, the solvent monochlorobenzene is used in the production process. Before air emissions can be discharged to the atmosphere, they require treatment to remove the molecule monochlorobenzene (MCB).

This is present in a concentration of around 300 mg/Nm³. As MCB is a volatile organic compound (VOC) known to be toxic to human health and the environment, the legal limit is just 20 mg/Nm³.

At this plant, an RTO is used to treat emissions so they can be safely discharged to the atmosphere. However, this RTO needs to be shut down for 15 days every two years for essential renovation.

Rather than interrupt business at the site, the company needed a back-up solution to use during this RTO maintenance work.

The filter worked effectively, reducing the concentration of MCB in the emissions to below the legal limit.

The plant did not have to shut down while the maintenance work took place, making DESOTEC filters a cost-effective solution.

Our filters are now regarded as a long-term back-up solution for the RTO, especially during the two-yearly maintenance work.

The client has also recommended our full-service solution to a sister site. Here, managers are looking for a permanent back-up facility to avoid potential costly business interruption should their RTO suffer an unforeseen shutdown.

Increasingly, activated carbon is being viewed by European manufacturers as a viable and often favourable alternative to thermal treatment of air emissions.

Activated carbon is better able to handle low concentrations of MCB, enabling manufacturers to drive down harmful emissions. Plus, while RTOs are effective in removing VOCs such as MCB, the burning process produces carbon dioxide (CO₂), which is of course itself harmful to the environment.

Not only are companies with a large carbon footprint having to pay increased taxes, but many multinationals have adopted corporate social responsibility principles and wish to improve their environmental record, too.

As activated carbon can be recycled and adsorbs rather than burns contaminants, it has a lower CO₂ footprint, making it an ecologically sound alternative to traditional thermal treatment methods.