​​​Hydrocarbons emissions in air & gas

Hydrocarbons are the main constituents of fossil fuel products such as oil, gas and coal. They include volatile organic compounds (VOCs), benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX), polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and alkenes. They are emitted by: production processes involving plastics, bitumens and chemicals; storage tanks and vents; loading and unloading operations; sites contaminated by historic spills; and soil remediation. All can be removed by activated carbon filters. 

Hydrocarbons in air emissions are often odorous, leading to complaints from neighbours. They may also pose an occupational health risk: many are toxic, and some are carcinogenic. They can also harm the environment, e.g. VOCs contribute to the formation of the greenhouse gas ozone. Your company is therefore likely to face hydrocarbon limits as part of your environmental permit. Activated carbon filtration is a reliable and effective technology to bring down hydrocarbons so air emissions can be discharged to the environment.

Activated carbon is an effective way to treat odorous hydrocarbons in air emissions generated by industrial processes: e.g. handling bitumen, asphalt, plastics, polymers or pesticides; storage tank venting; production halls; and unloading or loading trucks. DESOTEC filters can treat hydrocarbons from all these sources. They are highly adaptable to suit your parameters, and can handle discontinuous airflows. 

Activated carbon filtration is widely used during the remediation of former industrial land that has been contaminated with spills of hydrocarbons, including now-banned or restricted substances such as creosote. DESOTEC filters are mobile with a small footprint, so can be sited in excavation tents to treat air emissions from the excavation of soil for remediation. They are flexible, modular and suitable for intermittent usage. As we supply all our mobile filters on a rental basis, they are ideal for temporary usage.

Activated carbon is a reliable technology to ensure compliance with hydrocarbon limits occupational health and safety, odour control, and air quality legislation. In many regions, laws are being tightened, so it’s important to future-proof your business by putting modular and adaptable solutions in place. Your company is likely to have to comply with emissions thresholds as part of your operating licence. 

DESOTEC’s technical experts support businesses in meeting regulatory obligations, including changes in operating permits. We devise optimally efficient treatment set-ups, with our filters as standalone treatments or in combination with other technology to comply with the most stringent hydrocarbons emissions limits. We handle the carbon waste as part of our service, complying with all relevant legislation. In emergency situations such as spills, we can install our filters rapidly to start work immediately, helping your company remain compliant at all times.

Activated carbon filtration is a Best Available Technology (BAT) for many pollution treatment applications, and is often the most cost-effective and sustainable option – but it does depend on various factors.

For example:

• Where air flow is intermittent, activated carbon is generally more cost-effective than alternatives such as thermal oxidisers (RTOs).
• If space is tight, DESOTEC filters have a smaller footprint than most alternatives.
• For short-term usage, our filters are mobile and rental – unlike more permanent installations such as RTOs.
• If treatment is needed immediately, our filters can be delivered fast and are plug-and-play – some alternatives have a lengthy lead-in time.
• If your needs might change in the future, our systems are modular – other technology might be less adaptable.

DESOTEC is keen to help customers find the best treatment for their needs, and our experts will tell you if they think an alternative technology might be more suitable than activated carbon.

Activated carbon is a very versatile technology, so there are many ways to optimise set-ups – e.g. placing filters in series, using different carbon grades, or combining filters with complementary technology such as scrubbers.

DESOTEC’s experts carry out testing, advise on set-up design, and offer ongoing support as part of our full-service solution. Our activated carbon filtration solutions have a low total cost of ownership (TCO): they have minimal capex costs, and our service includes maintenance, upgrading, and sustainable carbon waste handling. We install and exchange filters rapidly, minimising downtime and helping to keep complex projects on track. Thanks to our circular approach, waste carbon is reactivated wherever possible, reducing your TCO and your carbon footprint.