Colour and odour removal

In the pharmaceutical, chemical or food sectors, product purity is of the utmost importance. Before the precipitation process, liquids may contain traces of dissolved substances that will add unwanted colours or odours to the finished product. For example: amino acids used in food production could contain organic nitrogen, detected as colour; plastic recycling monomers might contain dyes or additives; bioethanol could include odorous aldehydes or amine compounds; while specialty chemicals such as de-icers could bear traces of colour from organic compounds or trace metals.  

Desotec’s sustainable activated carbon filtration solutions are purifying liquid chemicals such as acids, mineral oils, brines and solvents. In urgent situations, e.g. where a problem has arisen in one batch of product, our mobile filters may be installed rapidly on a temporary basis to quickly solve the issue.  

Activated carbon filtration may also be used to clean up liquid by-products so they can be sold or re-used. The manufacture of chlorine, for example, creates HCI as a by-product, which is often reused as a chemical reagent. After purification, this HCI may be sold to the food industry at a higher price. Likewise, the manufacture of chemical intermediates may result in a by-product of phosphorous acid (H₃PO₃). By removing traces of organic matter detected as colour, this phosphorous acid may be reused or sold for a range of industrial applications. This not only creates a new market, but also saves on disposal costs and boosts sustainability.  

Impurities in process streams may hamper further stages of production. The removal of traces of organic agents, toxic or foaming compounds and other substances may be necessary to boost crystallisation or fermentation, and reduce losses. By enhancing production processes, companies may boost their sustainability and their bottom line. DESOTEC’s activated carbon filters are supplied on a rental basis, so require no upfront investment. They are suitable for intermittent flows, and may be used as and when needed. Furthermore, safe and sustainable filtration waste handling is part of our full-service solution.

For food and feed applications, e.g. amino acid production, companies must abide by the appropriate regulations concerning food safety. Alternatively, companies may need to meet specific quality standards set by their end-clients. In-house production efficiency targets may also be relevant. In all cases, Desotec is the partner you can trust: our activated carbon filtration systems are capable of reducing impurities to below detectable levels, enabling you to meet the terms of your operating licence or contract.