Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

VOCs pose a sticky situation for industry

Journal Article · · Pollution Engineering
OSTI ID:182903

More than ever, air pollution control regulations focus on volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are addressed by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under Control Technology Guidelines (CTGs) and National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAPs). Despite this targeted focus, today`s manufacturers know VOC control is not a single, simple issue, but is complicated by the presence of particulate matter and condensibles in the exhaust stream, creating a sticky problem for VOC control equipment. VOC control systems represent substantial investments for most companies and anything that compromises the performance, integrity or lifespan of those systems is a bottomline issue. The presence of particulate and condensibles in the VOC-laden emission stream can cause serious operating and maintenance problems for a company`s air pollution control system, inflicting unnecessary costs and heightening the risk of non-compliance. Problems can range from clogged ducts on recuperative and regenerative oxidizers to masked or poisoned catalysts in catalytic oxidizers, masked adsorbents in carbon or zeolite adsorption units and increased fire risks for a variety of VOC control equipment.

OSTI ID:
182903
Journal Information:
Pollution Engineering, Journal Name: Pollution Engineering Journal Issue: 12 Vol. 27; ISSN PLENBW; ISSN 0032-3640
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English