VOCs and Solvents

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.

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

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. They react with nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide to form tropospheric ozone. This is 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 odour nuisance for site workers and neighbours. 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.

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 several 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.

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, there are country-specific laws such as TA Luft in Germany, and certain regions or localities may have their own regulations too. Finally, local environmental authorities set the terms of factory operating licences.

As scientists reveal 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.