Emissions of toxic air pollutants are regulated and controlled by national regulatory bodies by countries. These regulations are based on international agreements.
The regulated emissions of toxic air pollutants are based on published list of industrial sources referred to as "source categories." Toxic air pollutants include mercury, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), benzene and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Industrial operations are responsible for a large portion of the HAPs that enter our atmosphere. For this reason, for example EPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency) in the US, as well as EEA (European Environmental Agency) in Europe, have set strict regulations to which paint manufacturers and other facilities must adhere. These regulations often require companies to destroy HAPs before they enter the atmosphere and discuss some of the best mechanisms to do so.
What are HAPs?
In simple terms, hazardous air pollutants are contaminants that are known or suspected of causing cancer and other serious health complications. Also known as HAPs, these compounds can come from a variety of sources, with industrial facilities being among the most common origins.
The health effects of Hazardous Air Pollutants
Studies show that HAPs can have a detrimental effect on the human body. At the same time, these research projects also highlight the impact that industries such as paint manufacturing can have on our health. Some of the negative effects associated with increased exposure to HAPs include, but are not limited to: increased risk of cancer, damage to the immune system, reduced fertility, neurological problems, respiratory conditions.
Why Catalytic Oxidizers are ideal solution
Catalytic oxidizers are ideal technique for operations that release a large volume of HAPs at relatively low temperatures. These use a combination of precious metal catalysts and elevated temperatures to destroy HAPs, breaking them down into harmless by-products before releasing them into the atmosphere. Catalytic oxidation is a destructive technology for VOC purification that achieves combustion at lower temperatures than the thermal alternative, due to the catalyst in the combustion chamber and a heat exchanger to preheat the incoming air with the purified exhaust air. A catalytic oxidizer is applicable for all processes liable to produce VOC emissions, which are numerous, and generally belonging to industrial sectors.
The most suitable industrial applications for Catalytic Oxidizers are painting and printing, coating and laminating operations.
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