Food production

Activated carbon is a highly effective treatment for air emissions from food production facilities containing odorous molecules such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), mercaptans, amine smells, ammonia (NH₃), hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) and dimethyl sulfide (DMS). Slaughterhouses, pet food and animal feed producers, and fish or onion processing facilities are especially likely to be the cause of odour complaints. However, even smells that are pleasant in small doses – such as baking, beer brewing and coffee roasting – can be overwhelming at high concentrations. DESOTEC filters help your food or feed company reduce odours and VOCs, keeping air quality high for site workers and neighbours. 

Activated carbon is an effective treatment for wastewater from food and feed production facilities, which is likely to contain traces of food compounds and chlorinated cleaning products, measured together as chemical oxygen demand (COD). These compounds may include adsorbable organic halides (AOX) or triazole, a molecule derived from pesticides which is released from vegetables during food production. DESOTEC’s activated carbon filtration removes COD, AOX and triazole, purifying the water so it is safe for discharge or industrial reuse. 

Activated carbon filters food and feed process liquids of nitrogen-rich molecules and other compounds responsible for unwanted colours and odours. These include: amino acids for animal feed; fish oils; glycerin; and human health supplements. By purifying your process liquids in this way, you can add value to your products, meet food or feed safety standards, or even valorise by-products. 

Activated carbon filtration enables food and feed producers to meet stringent environmental, odour and food safety regulations, as well as client quality standards. DESOTEC offers reliable activated carbon filtration solutions plus ongoing expertise and support to help you meet these obligations at all times. In urgent situations – such as odour complaints, or unexpected peaks in impurities – we can install our filters fast to start work immediately. They have a small footprint, making them suited to busy sites. Plus, our solutions are modular, so can be expanded to meet the demands of a growing business or more stringent regulations. 

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).
• 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.
• Where it is important for your site to remain pristine, DESOTEC filters may be cleaner than alternatives as we empty them and treat waste carbon away from customers’ sites.

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.

There are many ways to optimise activated carbon 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. They enable your business to continue production uninterrupted, and save you the cost of specialist wastewater disposal. Thanks to our circular approach, waste carbon is reactivated wherever possible, reducing your TCO and your carbon footprint.