Resolving industrial odor emissions step by step
Whatever interesting and beautiful products are produced in factories, odors simply cannot be avoided in the process. Especially in industries such as animal feed, food, oilseed processing, tobacco and rubber, coolers, dryers or other process equipment cannot avoid blowing out air, often through a chimney. In addition to dust, this air also contains odors. Usually these are not dangerous to the environment, but can cause harm to people’s well-being. After all, no one likes living near a smelly factory and breathing in stinky air day after day.
In order to keep the environment happy and at the same time work positively on the company image, as well as to remain compliant with today’s stricter legislation on odor emissions, it is advisable to control odor emissions by applying odor reducing techniques.
The key to this is diligence. While the world of odor control is probably new to many people, there is a chance of installing solutions too quickly. Too often we see quick sales in the market where 100% odor reduction is promised and we see cheap direct plasma systems that barely reduce odor due to contamination in the process channel. This even without thoroughly investigating the client’s situation first. As a result, real problems are introduced.
Aerox inventor of cold plasma odor control by injection
Aerox, inventor of the cold plasma odor reduction injection technique, knows from more than 25 years of experience in industrial odor control that true sustainable solutions require advanced-and customized-technology. A step-by-step examination of the specific requirements and unique odor emission problem at customer site is indispensable in this process. Without it, the end result will never be optimal.
The first step is always to map all odor sources. An odor source is characterized by both the concentration of odors, expressed in ouE/m3 or as dilution air, and by the air flow, expressed in m3/h. The product of both is the total odor emission, usually expressed in MouE/m3.
The second step involves deciding which sources to reduce. The goal here is zero complaints from the environment while complying with local regulations. The good news is that it is not always necessary to check all sources.
The Aerox sales team is happy to visit you for a discussion and advice on both steps. This is also a good opportunity to explain more about the differences between odor-reducing solutions. The pros and cons of solutions placed directly in the often dirty, dusty, sticky exhaust air, such as direct plasma or activated carbon, chemical scrubbers with their waste streams and the cold plasma injection systems that are not affected by process conditions.
The third step is to determine whether odor reduction can actually be achieved by cold plasma injection technology. This is done using the Aerox microtester. This is a portable testing device used for an initial indication of whether specific odors have been reduced. It is also used to indicate what capacity in the cold plasma plant is needed for the specific production situation.
The fourth step is to conduct a more advanced pilot test. This is done by applying the Aerox minitest system, combined with odor measurements by an independent certified company to assess odor concentration. The result of these tests is a detailed report on the process conditions and what odor reduction efficiency can be achieved. Together with the test program, we will then determine which Aerox cold plasma capacity will provide the optimal result. With this data, Aerox and the customer can then reliably scale up to the design of the required Aerox®-Injector system.
The fifth step is then to explain the Aerox®-Injector in detail and, based on our 25 years of specialist experience and the measurement report, provide a targeted odor reduction recommendation and quotation.
The final step
The sixth and final step is the most interesting. Following the customer’s decision, detailed design and installation of the Aerox®-Injector system will begin at the factory, obviously in close cooperation with customer and any third parties. This process is not complete until the successful startup and commissioning of the Aerox® Injector is complete.
From this moment on, the customer and his surroundings will get used to the Aerox system that does its work automatically and does not require much maintenance. Besides changing the pre-filters which can easily be done by the customer himself, a qualified Aerox engineer will visit the site only once every 8,000 hours of operation, for which timely notice will be provided by the Aerox monitoring system and no process interruptions are required.
