Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) Brochure

VOCUS The Vocus with its innovative, patented design, achieves an entirely new level of performance in VOC Control. Reducing emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is of increasing importance to many companies using paint, varnish, ink, adhesives, cleaning liquids and other solvent based resources in their process. Recognising the limitations associated with thermal oxidisers, adsorption, biofilters and other conventional VOC control technologies, Pure Air Solutions have developed an innovative biotrickling filter. The Vocus offers important state-of-the-art improvements which translate into outstanding performance and huge economic benefits. Primary among these improvements is the unique design. The biotrickling filter is a cone shaped reactor. The filter media layers are formed by the random filling of a ring shaped inert synthetic type of biomass carrier. The media provides a high degree of biologically active surface area per unit volume so as to achieve high mass transfer rates of VOC’s into the biofilms. Due to the reactor construction (a tall cylinder) and the velocity at which gas flows through the synthetic media, the overall size and footprint of the Vocus is ultra compact. The open structure media allows ample room for biofilms to grow without causing the media to clog due to excessive biomass growth. Among inlet and outlet temperature, VOC concentrations, EC, pH, etc., the pressure drop between the gas inlet and outlet of the media bed is continuously monitored by sensors. If, in extreme circumstances biomass growth causes clogging, the Vocus has an inventive feature which allow us to wash out excessive biomass. This can be done in little time and without losing significant removal efficiency. The synthetic media offers a low pressure. Thus, energy costs to operate the Vocus are minimal since the fan size and power consumption are directly proportional to the pressure drop. In addition, the synthetic media does not deteriorate and is guaranteed for 10 years. The micro-organisms need elements like phosphate, potassium and calcium as a nutrient in the process of breaking down the pollutants. These nutrients are in a continuous cycle as they become available again from dead micro-organisms. This regeneration however is not complete. The Vocus is therefore equipped with a nutrient tank and dosing system as standard. Since biofilms must be kept moist for the micro-organisms to remain biologically active, the Vocus is equipped with a spraying system to add water to the process. To minimise water usage, the water used in the process will be collected and re-circulated in the system. Periodically, surplus water will be discharged and fresh water will be added to uphold optimum conditions. Maintaining optimum conditions for the biomass is the major operational requirement for any bio (trickling) filter. Therefore the Vocus meets all requirements as defined above and is fitted with Pure Process Control and Telemetrics. With it’s superior performance and economic benefits, the Vocus is acknowledged by the Dutch Ministry of Environment as one of the most innovative, economical and environmentally friendly methods of VOC treatment. The development is partly funded by the Dutch Ministry of Trade and conducted in cooperation with various techno-partners and the University of Valencia (Spain). There simply is no equivalent