VC Monomer Removal in Exhaust
A resin manufacturer was discharging an exhaust air stream from a mixing tank and experiencing elevated levels of vinyl chloride monomer (VCM). Under normal operating conditions, concentrations averaged approximately 1 ppm, but upset conditions caused levels to spike to as high as 300 ppm. Because vinyl chloride is a volatile organic compound (VOC) and hazardous air pollutant, the facility needed a reliable treatment solution capable of handling fluctuating contaminant concentrations while maintaining continuous operation. Vinyl chloride emissions are heavily regulated due to their potential environmental and health impacts, making effective air treatment a critical component of plant operations.
The Challenge
The facility was moving approximately 4,000 CFM of vinyl chloride-contaminated air from the mixing process. Traditional treatment methods may struggle to address significant concentration swings during upset conditions, requiring a solution specifically designed for vinyl chloride removal.
In applications involving VOC control, selecting the proper air filtration media is essential to achieving consistent performance. The treatment system must be capable of reducing contaminant concentrations while maintaining acceptable pressure drop and media life.
The Solution
Hydrosil evaluated the application and recommended a gas filtration system utilizing two passes of 3-inch bed depths of HS-600 media. The 3-inch bed depth modules used for this were Hydrosil’s HS-12-PH modules. HS-600 is a potassium permanganate-impregnated media specifically engineered for the removal of vinyl chloride monomer and other oxidizable contaminants found in industrial exhaust streams.
As a specialized gas phase filtration media, HS-600 chemically reacts with vinyl chloride rather than simply adsorbing it. This approach helps provide effective treatment even in applications where contaminant concentrations may fluctuate significantly over time.
Results
The HS-600 system provided the resin manufacturer with a dependable solution for treating vinyl chloride emissions from the mixing operation. By incorporating engineered air filtration media into the exhaust treatment process, the facility was able to better manage vinyl chloride concentrations and support its environmental compliance objectives.
Applications for Vinyl Chloride Treatment
Vinyl chloride removal technologies are commonly utilized in:
- Resin and PVC manufacturing facilities
- Chemical processing operations
- Industrial exhaust treatment systems
- Environmental remediation projects
- Soil vapor extraction (SVE) systems
- VOC control applications
For facilities handling vinyl chloride and other hazardous air pollutants, properly designed industrial air filtration and gas treatment systems can play an important role in reducing emissions and supporting long-term environmental performance. Hydrosil’s HS-600 media is specifically developed for these challenging applications where reliable contaminant removal is required.
