Grantee Research Project Results
Control of Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) Emissions from Industrial Processes
EPA Contract Number: 68D00058Title: Control of Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) Emissions from Industrial Processes
Investigators: Schlatter, James C.
Small Business: Catalytica Inc.
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: II
Project Period: September 1, 1990 through August 1, 1992
Project Amount: $149,829
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase II (1990) Recipients Lists
Research Category: Air Quality and Air Toxics , SBIR - Air Pollution , Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
Description:
A new adsorption-catalytic combustion system with appli- cation to the removal of volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from industrial processes and commercial opera- tions especially where low concentrations of VOC are present in high flows of off-gas is proposed in a Phase II program. This system will have the benefits of low equipment cost, simple operation, low energy utilization, and will be applicable to both small and large industrial gaseous streams. The object of the Phase II program is to develop a working prototype of a VOC emission control unit based on the concept of adsorbing and subsequently destroying undesir- able organic compounds. Such waste emissions are typically a combination of solvents like methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), esters, glycols, and other various non-desciptive organic compounds. Although the focus of PhaseII is the removal of a selected odorous ketone compound from a gaseous stream, the encouraging results obtained in Phase I have shown that the concept is sound and that Catalytica, Inc.'s technique to eliminate VOC emissions will be directly applicable to the removal of many toxic air emissions and to the removal of odorous compounds from commercial operations such as meat rendering plants, restaurants, etc. Phase II will gain a better understanding of the adsorbent and catalyst behavior. In particular, it is desirable to know (1) how changes in regeneration variables, such as tem- perature and environment, affect the catalyst, the composition of the editing gas, and adsorbent efficiencies, and (2) how multiple regenerations affect an absorbent's structure and Its ability to capture the hydrocarbon emission.Supplemental Keywords:
Scientific Discipline, Air, Chemical Engineering, air toxics, Environmental Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Engineering, Chemistry, & Physics, Environmental Engineering, Nitrogen Oxides, ambient air quality, NOx reduction, emission control strategies, air pollutants, catalytic oxidation, oxidation of volitale organic hydrocarbons, adsorption catalytic combustion, aerogel catalysts, combustion technology, emissions control, industrial air pollution, hydrocarbons, volatile organic hydrocarbons, catalytic combustion, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)Progress and Final Reports:
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.