Air purification system for the treatment of volatile organic compounds

Our customer is distributor of lubricants, chemical fuels and industrial gases. The company has a facility specialized in the storage and handling of liquids and gases.

During the handling of liquids, which are mainly volatile organic compounds (VOC), several often flammable liquids are being distributed from tank trucks into drums or IBC’s using 2 filling lines. 

Vaporization of the chemical liquids takes place during the filling. When this process occurs, the displacement air at the position of the filling point must be extracted to eliminate the risk of explosion. 

For this purpose, the distributor called on PCA to build an air purification system to reduce the emission of these irritating fumes. The installation consists of an alkalic/oxidative gas scrubber and an activated carbon filter which treats the ventilated gas stream from 4 suction points, 2 fixed points at the filling lines and 2 mobile points.

During the treatment, the VOCs are being oxidized by  hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in alkaline medium (pH = 9). The activated carbon filter serves as a polisher to further reduce the concentration of VOCs.

PCA has provided the electrical cabinet for this project and took care of the process control and automation. The installation can be remotely monitored by PCA and adjusted if necessary.

PCA has also installed the ventilation ducts in non-flammable PPs which were subsequently connected to the air purification system.