VOCs and Solvents
About
Firms 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 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.
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 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.
It’s vital to reduce VOCs and solvents in air emissions 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, 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.
How we help you
DESOTEC sustainable mobile filtration solutions
Busy companies need one 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. Set-ups are tailored to your needs, and our filters function as standalone treatments or in combination with other technologies. They 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 seeking new treatment solutions to further enhance sustainability.
DESOTEC team has been helpful. They guided us toward the most effective solution for our air emissions problem. Filters were quickly installed and functional.
E-book: An introduction to volatile organic compounds
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted in almost all industries, at many stages of a product’s lifespan. They can be greenhouse gases which contribute to climate change, and certain compounds are also harmful to human health. Therefore, they are subject to emissions limits.
E-book: An introduction to volatile organic compounds
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted in almost all industries, at many stages of a product’s lifespan. They can be greenhouse gases which contribute to climate change, and certain compounds are also harmful to human health. Therefore, they are subject to emissions limits.
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.
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Industries we help
We partner with companies in a variety of sectors, adapting our modular filtration solutions to your unique needs. -
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. -
Your sustainability journey
We care about protecting our air, water and soil for future generations, just like you. Our filtration solutions help you meet environmental standards, reducing your carbon footprint.