Remediation services

If you discover unexpected contamination during construction work at a former industrial site, activated carbon filtration is a plug-and-play treatment to keep your project on track. Activated carbon adsorbs the organic compounds most commonly found in historic leaks and spills, including: mineral oils, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX), adsorbable organic halides (AOX), and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). DESOTEC offers mobile, rapid and reliable activated carbon filters that are small enough to fit into crowded sites. Plus, we handle all carbon waste off-site as part of our service, saving your company further hassle.

Activated carbon filtration is an effective treatment for groundwater contaminated with chemicals such as AOX, persistent chemicals (POPs) and PFAS. The groundwater is usually pumped to the surface then passed through DESOTEC filters, which can handle the large flows and varying concentrations of compounds that are commonly found in remediation work. The treated water is then either discharged back to the environment or sent for specialist disposal. We handle all carbon waste sustainably as part of our service, destroying contaminants completely. 

Activated carbon filtration is used to treat air emissions from contaminated soil or groundwater during ex-situ or in-situ remediation work. During ex-situ treatment, DESOTEC filters are placed at soil excavation tents to treat air emissions. They can handle large flow rates and allow for a low pressure drop, saving energy. The soil is then transported to a treatment facility, where a different DESOTEC filter model may be installed to handle lower flow rates but higher concentrations. For in-situ thermal ground treatment, we use a special HC-XL filter to purify the very high concentrations of contaminants. We have also developed safety features to protect workers and equipment. 

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 or water flow is discontinuous, activated carbon is generally more cost-effective than alternatives such as thermal oxidisers (RTOs).
• For large air or water flows, DESOTEC filters may be more cost-effective than other technology. 
• 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 concentrations and flow rates are variable, activated carbon is likely to be more versatile than many alternatives.

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

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. Thanks to our circular approach, waste carbon is reactivated wherever possible, reducing your TCO and your carbon footprint.