Grantee Research Project Results

Final Report: Reduction of Hazardous Air Pollutant Emissions From Commercial Kitchens

EPA Contract Number: EPD11063
Title: Reduction of Hazardous Air Pollutant Emissions From Commercial Kitchens
Investigators: Fokema, Mark
Small Business: Aspen Products Group, Inc.
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: II
Project Period: May 1, 2011 through April 30, 2013
Project Amount: $225,000
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase II (2011) Recipients Lists
Research Category: SBIR - Air Pollution , Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)

Description:

Particulate matter and volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from commercial cooking establishments are a subject of increasing concern around the globe. Although increased awareness of the health hazards of respirable particulates and VOCs has prompted the development of new technologies to reduce emissions from restaurants, current technologies do not remove all hazardous air pollutants, have high capital costs, or have high operating costs. The removal of VOCs and particulates with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers (PM_2.5) is particularly challenging.

The objective of this SBIR project was to develop a simple, effective, retrofittable and low-cost approach to mitigating fine particulate and VOC emissions from cooking sources. A microstructured filter that traps and oxidizes particulate matter (PM) and VOCs at low exhaust temperatures was developed.

Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):

Filtration media capable of trapping and oxidizing VOCs and particulates were developed. Sub-scale filter performance initially was evaluated using simulated underfired broiler exhaust and achieved a VOC removal efficiency of 73 percent and a particulate filtration efficiency of 84 percent on a mass basis. Effective VOC and PM conversion to CO₂ and H₂O also was demonstrated.

Full-scale filtration media was integrated into a box filter housing rated at 500 CFM exhaust. The filter performance was evaluated over an underfired broiler using a modified ASTM F1695-03 protocol. VOC reduction of 59 percent was demonstrated, along with PM reduction of 82 percent. Total PM emissions were reduced from 56 lb/1,000 lb to less than 9 lb/1,000 lb.

Based on the demonstration, the performance characteristics of a commercial filter sized for a 1,000 CFM exhaust hood were formulated. Aspen Products Group, Inc. anticipates that the filter will reduce VOC emissions by more than 75 percent and reduce particulate emissions by at least 95 percent, while generating a pressure drop of less than 1.0 inWC and consuming less than $2/day of power.

Conclusions:

The filtration technology demonstrated under this program provides high efficiency particulate filtration and high levels of VOC reduction without significantly increasing ventilation operating costs. In addition to reducing exhaust emissions, the ability to intercept grease particulates at the entrance point of the exhaust hood will significantly reduce in-duct grease accumulation, thereby reducing maintenance costs and reducing the risk of duct fires.

Supplemental Keywords:

air emissions, particulate matter, respirable particulates, volatile organic compounds, VOCs, exhaust pollutants, commercial kitchen emissions, restaurant emissions, cooking emissions, cost-effective air emissions control

SBIR Phase I:

Reduction of Hazardous Air Pollutant Emissions from Commercial Kitchens | Final Report

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