Minimising emissions of toxic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is a critical challenge for the industrial sector, compounded by the limitations of carbon filters—one of the primary methods for VOC reduction. Over time, these filters can become oversaturated, reducing their effectiveness and highlighting the need for more innovative solutions. Enter ENVEA. With real-time VOC monitoring, businesses can ensure timely filter replacement, avoiding unnecessary costs, exceeding regulatory requirements, and adopting the sustainable practices critical to the future health of our planet.
Although efforts to reduce VOC emissions have led to significant decreases in Europe and America since the 1990s, the United States still emitted approximately 12.5 million tons of VOCs in 2023.
A recent study also found a 10.2% rise in global VOC emissions concentrated in Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and China between 2000 and 2019. In short, VOCs continue to present a threat to the environment and the health of the population globally.
Companies are under increasingly stringent regulations to continuously monitor and reduce their VOC emissions. The risks of non-compliance are high: costly penalties, reputational damage and significant threats to environmental and public health.
Although they are the primary method of reducing VOC emissions, activated carbon filters are flawed by design. They become saturated over time and lose their ability to capture pollutants, leading to VOC leakage.
Determining the optimal time to replace these filters is complex. Filters are often replaced based on general calculations rather than real-time saturation data, leading to potential issues:
Envea’s Graphite 52M provides a turnkey solution tailored to industrial needs, offering both single-point and multi-tank filtration system monitoring. The solution includes portable or rack-mounted analysers, with options for indoor or outdoor use, sampling systems, and heated lines for sample transfer.
Additionally, it can integrate with plant PLCs for automated alarms and control, or provide real-time cloud-based monitoring for filter saturation and emission data, ensuring operational efficiency across the board.
Industries have a critical responsibility to protect people and the environment from the harmful VOCs they produce. By ensuring filters are replaced at the right time, companies can not only reduce treatment costs but also prevent VOC leaks, safeguarding both public health and the environment. Real-time, cloud-based monitoring provides continuous oversight, enabling teams to track equipment performance, manage alarms, and analyse trends.
This remote control capability optimises VOC abatement systems, boosts reliability, and guarantees ongoing compliance with stack emission regulations. In doing so, businesses can achieve operational savings while fulfilling their environmental duty and protecting the communities they serve.