In continuation with last week’s discussion on regulations required in the chemical industry, incineration is another way to bring exhaust emissions in line with regulations.

Regulations require the chemical industry to continuously monitor VOC emissions and report their compliance status. VOC abatement systems are used to bring exhaust emissions in line with those regulations. Carbon adsorption beds are frequently used in chemical production to control VOC’s by capturing and recycling solvents.

Flame Ionization Detectors (FIDs) are used to monitor the carbon bed exhausts for solvent breakthrough and to control the switching of the carbon beds when they have become saturated.

For the past couple weeks we discussed BTU monitoring in chemical processes; WHY you should monitor your flare stack & with WHAT technology. This week let's look at HOW you would do just that, in real life applications:

As we talked about last week, continuous monitoring of the waste stream is necessary to identify the minimum heating value (which also helps determine if it can be used as a standalone fuel source) and ensure proper combustion efficiency.

Waste products are collected from various processes around the chemical facility and are sent to a flare stack for destruction. EPA code 60.18 states for optimum combustion efficiency of the stack the waste stream must run at a minimum heating value of between 300-450 BTU/ft3.

Continuous monitoring of the waste stream is necessary to:

For the past couple weeks we've discussed LFL monitoring in chemical processes, the WHY & the HOW. Now let's see WHAT some real life examples look like (hint…they all have a common theme, they NEED an analyzer that can handle the uniquely tough chemical environment!):

Chemical facilities use a variety of hazardous gases and solvents in their production processes. Danger is present when hazardous buildup of flammable vapors in the atmosphere gets rich enough to ignite or explode. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) establishes fire safety standards, including standards for safe operation of processes. 

Many chemical processes involve coating a product with a flammable solvent or mixture of solvents and then heating them in a dryer, batch oven, reactor or other source. The solvents evaporate off in the heating process and are directed to an incinerator for destruction, leaving behind the finished product.

In addition to the solvents, the atmosphere may also contain moisture, halogenated hydrocarbons, silicones and other unknown substances.

Danger is present when hazardous buildup of flammable vapors in the atmosphere gets rich enough to ignite or explode.

Chemical facilities use a variety of hazardous gases and solvents in their production processes. Whenever these substances are transported, processed or stored, the potential risks are high for hazardous conditions. These substances must be continuously monitored to protect personnel and facilities from accidental releases or leakage.

For the past few weeks we've shined the spotlight on the pulp & paper application.