​​​Chemical industry

Activated carbon is a highly effective technology for purifying wastewater and process water generated by extraction processes, reactions and cleaning and maintenance work in the chemical sector. This water is likely to contain chemical residues plus solvents from cleaning fluids, measured together as chemical oxygen demand (COD). Some compounds may be chlorinated, measured as adsorbable organic halides (AOX), and many of these are classified as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as PFAS, which must be removed to protect aquatic life and the human food chain. DESOTEC filters can treat all these so that water is ready for discharge to the environment, acceptance by wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), or even reuse in industrial processes.

Impurities such as hydrochloric acid and cyclopentadiene can be removed from chemical streams through activated carbon filtration, as can molecules causing colour or odour from biofuels and amino acids. This adds value to your products, and enables you to meet quality standards or valorise by-products. DESOTEC supplies ready-filled filters and handles all carbon away from customers’ sites, keeping your chemical production facility dust-free and pristine.

Activated carbon filtration is widely used to purify chemical industry air emissions, allowing your company to create a pleasanter environment for site workers and neighbours, meet occupational health and safety legislation, and attain ISO 45001 certification. Common sources of polluted air emissions are production halls, exhaust air ventilation, vented storage tanks, and cleaning and maintenance processes. 

Activated carbon filtration removes compounds including: 

• Dioxins and hydrochloric acids from flue gases and burning processes; 
• VOCs and solvents such as bromopropane; 
• Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), such as naphthalene; 
• Aromatic hydrocarbons such as styrene;
• Highly volatile chemicals such as ethylene oxide and ammonia (NH₃), which are removed using specially impregnated carbon. 

DESOTEC filters have a small footprint, making them ideal for busy sites. 

Activated carbon filtration enables chemical companies to comply with air and water emissions laws designed to protect occupational health, keep POPs out of the environment, and reduce odours. DESOTEC has regional know-how and decades of chemical industry expertise to help you meet the terms of your operating licence and continue business uninterrupted. Plus, we handle all carbon waste sustainably in accordance with relevant legislation, sparing your company the hassle of specialist disposal. Our solutions are modular, so can be installed now to future-proof your business if laws become more stringent in the coming years.

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 production is discontinuous, activated carbon is generally more cost-effective than alternatives such as thermal oxidisers (RTOs).
• Where process parameters, compounds, concentrations or flow rates vary, e.g. in batch production, activated carbon may be more versatile than comparable technology.
• If space is tight, DESOTEC filters have a smaller footprint than most alternatives.
• 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 – increasing or decreasing production capacity, for example – our systems are modular, while other technologies might be less adaptable.

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

Activated carbon is very versatile, so there are many ways to optimise set-ups – e.g. by 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. Installation and exchange is rapid, enabling your business to continue production uninterrupted. Thanks to our circular approach, waste carbon is reactivated wherever possible, reducing your TCO and boosting your sustainability.