Colour and odour removal

In sectors such as food, pharmaceuticals and chemicals, the purity of process liquids is crucial to protect human health and meet stringent quality standards – and activated carbon filtration is an optimal treatment solution. DESOTEC filters can remove unwanted substances such as acids, mineral oils, brines and solvents that cause colours, odours or other product quality issues. In urgent cases, we can install our plug-and-play filters fast to resolve the problem swiftly. 

Activated carbon filtration is used by many companies to purify by-products and diversify their income. For example, the production of chlorine creates the by-product hydrochloric acid (HCI), which can be purified and sold to the food industry. Likewise, the manufacture of certain chemical intermediates creates phosphorous acid, which has a range of industrial applications once purified. By removing unwanted colours, odours or other contaminants from these by-products, your company can not only develop new markets, but also save on disposal costs and boost sustainability. 

Activated carbon filtration enables companies to meet the strict food and feed safety standards that protect human and animal health, quality grades set by end-clients, and in-house production efficiency guidelines. For example, amino acids may need to be purified of organic nitrogen, detected as colour, while fish oils may require purification of amine smells and other impurities. DESOTEC’s activated carbon filtration solutions bring impurities down to below detectable levels. Installation and exchange of filters is swift, keeping your company compliant at all times. 

Activated carbon is often the most cost-effective and sustainable option for colour and odour removal – but it does depend on various factors.

For example:

• Where production is discontinuous, or flow intermittent, activated carbon is generally more cost-effective than alternatives.
• 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.
• 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 to keep facilities pristine, as in the food and pharmaceuticals sectors, DESOTEC filters may be cleaner than alternatives as they are filled and emptied off-site. 

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. 

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 or dust filters. 

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, cutting your costs and helping you reach your green goals.