Application of Reverse Process for Volatile Organic Compounds Treatment

Application of Reverse Process for Volatile Organic Compounds Treatment

Searching for ways to improve catalytic reactions efficiency is one of the most pressing challenges facing modern catalysis. The enhancement of reaction activity/selectivity can be useful to improve catalyst performance and/or develop completely new approaches to its implementation.

In the context of environmental protection, in particular, air environment protection from contaminants produced during particle board and plywood manufacturing process, the lawfulness of business operation relies heavily on the disposal of waste vent gases containing formaldehyde, methanol, pinenes, acetaldehyde and other volatile organic compounds (VOC) generated during the drying and pressing of wood fiber.

The most typical methods include thermal oxidation and catalytic process providing VOC destruction at the catalyst surface of catalyst.

In the process of thermal oxidation, the regenerative heat exchange is often applied in two or more packed beds with periodical gas flow reversal. The gas is heated in the combustion chamber common to all the beds and equipped with one or more burners providing high temperatures maintenance required for thermal oxidation of VOC. Due to large surface area of the packed bed of heat regenerative (inert) material, thermal oxidizer is compact and relatively cost effective, providing heat efficiency over 90%. However, regardless of high heat efficiency, the fuel consumption (in particular, natural gas) of thermal oxidizers is often excessive. Moreover, the units of this type are operated at temperatures 750-900^°С to ensure gas-phase oxidation reaction. Therefore, continuous fuel supply is required to maintain above high temperatures resulting in high operating expenses.

Catalytic process is more efficient and optimal in terms of costs. The cost of catalyst is to be compensated by significant energy saving associated with the catalytic oxidation of VOC at substantially lower temperature 300-450^°С. Most of the times, the heat generated during the oxidation of sufficient quantities of VOC in treated gas will result in complete reducing of fuel requirement and can be used for inlet flow heating.

JSC SKTB KATALIZATOR has developed a number of catalysts for oxidation of VOC. Using process features as a reference while implementing the catalytic processes in the vessels, the experts of Department of Science have developed and mastered the manufacturing technology for the reverse process catalysts which ensure high catalytic performance and retain their properties during the whole life cycle.

For the reverse process implementation, the proprietary catalyst grades were improved to ensure resistance to high temperatures and catalytic poisoning and which can be applied for tackling environmental challenges on treatment of wide range of VOC. Above catalysts include ICT-12-40, ICT-12-8, АОК-78-52. The reverse process technology is applied in particle board and plywood manufacturing, in paint-and-varnish industry, chemical industry, production of adhesive tape, polyethylene pipes, polymer coating etc.

Currently, due to the available competences, JSC SKTB Katalizator is able to develop custom-tailored comprehensive approach to find optimum solution to environmental challenges on treatment of gas emissions.