Abatement Controls

SELECTION OF ABATEMENT CONTROL DEVICES

Q:  What are common control devices for VOCS used in industry today, their efficiencies, and costs?

A: This is too broad a question to be answered here.  The most common control devices are carbon and zeolyte adsorbers, thermal oxidizers, catalytic oxidizers, regenerative thermal oxidizers (RTOs), biofiltration, solvent concentrators, condensers, scrubbers, fluidized beds, and a combination of two or more of the above.  The efficiency of each technology depends on the airflow rate, concentration and composition of the vapors.  For each operating scenario only one or two control strategies will make economic sense.  Some technology options are ideal for high concentrations, but terrible for low ones.  Similarly, some can handle large airflow rates, while others are better suited to low flow rates.  Then one must consider the footprint of the control device.  Some are huge and require lots of space, while others are more compact.  If a company has limited space, one or more otherwise suitable options might need to be eliminated.

Unfortunately, there is no simple answer to the question, and the determinations are generally made on a case-by-case basis.

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