Styrene is a colourless liquid at room temperature with a characteristic sweet odour. It is one of the most important basic chemicals for the chemical industry. Styrene is mainly used in the manufacture of various plastics, and the aromatic hydrocarbon is also used as a solvent and binder for synthetic resins and polyester paints.

Styrene emissions continue to be a major challenge for many industries. This is where Ecosorb® 706 comes in: Thanks to an optimised formula, it reduces styrene odours even more effectively and complies with the latest environmental regulations. “With the introduction of Ecosorb® 706, we have a very effective and sustainable answer to the current and future needs of the industry in our portfolio,” Luca Faggionato of ACAT Milan points out.

Powerful & sustainable

Ecosorb® 706 is the result of extensive research and testing by experts in odour neutralisation and environmental science. The new product builds on the successful experience with Ecosorb® 206 and combines practical experience with the latest scientific knowledge. “Ecosorb® 706 is not just a further development. It represents our clear commitment to innovation. With optimised essential oil formulations and increased product efficacy, we offer our customers a powerful and sustainable solution to effectively combat styrene odours,” says Luca Faggionato.

ACAT: The experts in odour control

ACAT has been working intensively on odour control for many years. The company offers a wide range of products tailored to the specific needs of different industries. Ecosorb® 706 is specifically designed to control styrene and VOC emissions in manufacturing and processing industries. The general Ecosorb®

formulations score highly in the control of ammonia, hydrogen sulphide and sulphur dioxide emissions. Luca Faggionato: “We also work with very individual solutions. These are essential oil blends for specific odour problems, for example in wastewater treatment, food processing and the production of composite materials.”

Success in practice

Numerous best-practice examples show how ACAT’s customers are successfully combating styrene odours using Ecosorb® products. “For example, we were approached by a company in southern Europe that manufactures sewer pipes and was experiencing odour problems at one of its sites,” says Luca Faggionato. In the hall, the company produces synthetic resin, which is used as an internal coating for pipes. Offices are located above the hall, where employees also spend their breaks. Both in the hall and especially in the offices, the styrene levels were so high that some employees complained of headaches and nausea.

Luca Faggionato: “To tackle the problem, we installed our patented VPS dry fogging system close to the source of the odour. The system generates a dry mist of Ecosorb® which specifically attacks the styrene molecules and converts them into harmless by-products through a chemical reaction. With an initial styrene concentration of around 50 ppm and an air volume of around 25,000 m³ to be treated, the Ecosorb® system was able to reduce the styrene content to below 10 ppm – well be low the permissible limit of 15 ppm.” ●

The setting is a large waste management facility on the outskirts of a major city in Western Europe. The plant had a significant odour problem. Complaints from local residents were increasing, and employees were also complaining more and more about the stench. The plant manager saw the need for action and explored the various options available on the market. After a comprehensive analysis of the alternatives, he contacted ACAT, the official European distributor of OMI Industries’ Ecosorb® product line. “We then worked quickly to find the best and most cost-effective solution for our customer,” says Luca Faggionato of ACAT airtech in Milan.

As a first step, ACAT installed a high-pressure system at the site’s entrance gate, through which the bulldozer enters the facility. “Using a sensor, we programmed the machine to spray Ecosorb® as soon as the gate opens. This effectively neutralises the escaping odours.” To treat the outdoor waste piles, ACAT has also installed a high-pressure system with a fan on each bulldozer. This can be switched on during waste treatment to neutraise the odours.

Extensive measuring

To measure odour emissions, air samples were taken at various distances from the odour source. A local laboratory then analysed the samples. “Based on this, we selected the most suitable Ecosorb® product,” says Faggionato. ACAT then installed three control systems: one at the entrance gate and two on the bulldozers. The aim was to reduce odour emissions by 50 per cent. Measuring began in the summer, when higher temperatures also

intensified the odours. The dosage of Ecosorb® was 0.5 l/h. An investment in reputation The results are extremely positive, reports Luca Faggionato: “Our customer is very satisfied with our solution, from the user-friendliness to the effectiveness of Ecosorb®. The number of complaints about unpleasant odours has decreased significantly, as have the odours themselves – and all this without the use of aggressive chemicals. So, it wasn’t just an investment in the quality of life for local residents, but also in the company’s reputation.”

Experts with many years of experience

ACAT’s experts have been working intensively to combat unpleasant odours for many years. “The odour problem in Europe is getting worse every year. Now there are also corresponding laws that restrict emissions. Odours are a problem that affects all sectors, especially those close to residential areas. At ACAT, we can draw on years of experience working with customers in the asphalt, plastics and water treatment industries, and the waste management industry also benefits greatly from this,” explains Faggionato (ACAT airtech).

What specific products does ACAT offer?

The most suitable product depends on the specific odour problem. “With Ecosorb ®, we have a tailored solution for every situation.” Ecosorb® has been extensively tested over many years for its safety for the environ – ment and humans. It has been clearly established that the product is non-toxic, biodegradable and organic. It does not mask odours but actively neutralises them and is also safe for the environment. ACAT also offers fogging systems specially developed for use with ACAT products. The spectrum ranges from pipes with high-pressure nozzles to atomising fans and large vapour phase systems. Furthermore, ACAT’s experts analyse the odours before and after treatment using special measuring instruments. ●

In recent years growing urbanization has made it necessary that even areas close to industrial areas developed into flourishing villages or suburbs. As a result problems caused by odours increased strongly, -much to the detriment of the established industries. In Italy dairies are particularly affected.

Usually dairies are located in remote regions outside of villages and near to farmers. But these areas are also very popular for residential construction, because people like to live in the countryside and in the vicinity of large cities. Often already existing plants are ignored: such as dairies.

To a large extend these factories have waste water treatment plants of their own. The plants produce sewage sludge, which usually is mechanically dewatered. The sludge can be disposed in three ways: in agriculture as fertilizer for the fields, by composting and / or by sending to landfills. In all cases big amounts of sludge have to be stored at the treatment plant for a while. And this is the reason for the occurrence of malodours.  The sludge mainly consisting of animal fats decomposes easily and thereby the typical odours such as hydrogen sulphide (the typical smell of rotten eggs) and ammonia are produced.

For the coexistence of the new settlements and the industrial firms it is very important to find a method to eliminate these odours. In this case ACAT suggests the application of the odour neutralizer ECOSORB ™ 606 for odour control.

A dosing system equipped with a high-pressure pump (70 bar) feeds a series of misting nozzles (three to 60) with a mixture of tap water and ECOSORB™606. The source of the malodour is covered with a dense, strong neutralizing mist (droplet size 2μ). With this system it is possible to decide in the short term, when and how much neutralizer is needed to be dosed, and when it is sufficient to spray only water. Thus, the procedural costs can be significantly reduced.

The addition of ECOSORB ® does not reduce sludge quality, so the sludge can still be used in agriculture and / or for composting. The system is installed quickly and easily and no structural changes are required. It is mounted to walls using especially designed pipe fittings. With a few technical changes an industrial fan can be installed. Thereby, the reach of the sprayed mixture is extended and it is possible to direct the spray in all directions needed.

Due to the high temperature in the long and warm summer season, from the first period of running of the sewage plant, sometimes an unpleasant odor problem appeared.

Chemic Ltd., a company actively involved in Malta in the startup of new companies, new technologies and supply of water treatment chemicals, contacted ACAT to find a solution to control the odor problem.

ACAT personnel through a survey of the plant handled the problem and offered a full service with dosing equipment system and ECOSORB®, the product to neutralize the odor.

Primarily, ACAT offered a long test in a part of the plant (primary settlement and flocculation area).

Thanks to the good result of this test, WSC issued a tender to treat all areas of the plant in order to avoid any single odor problem for the future. Chemic in cooperation with ACAT won the tender and installed the full equipment.

The ECOSORB® DOSING SYSTEMS named HPS were installed in the following different areas of the sewage treatment plant observed like odor sources:

1. Pumping station
2. Primary settlement and flocculant plant
3. B.A.F. Biological aerated filter
4. Sludge thickening and dewatering building
5. Waste wash water tanks
6. Digested sludge storage tank

In Ta’ Barkat the full equipment installed

is composed of:

• 6 HPS Box
• around 300 nozzles, 4 micron orifice diameter
• 800 meters of pipeline

HPS BOXES

(high-pressure systems) are the systems of choice for most outdoor installations and even some indoor installations.

These systems run on 70 bar of pressure, providing a good atomization (misting) through patented nozzle design, easily installed. A digital dosing pump is included into the HPS box along with the electrical box control and hydraulic one. The atomization nozzles are commonly installed in a flexible polyamide hose, with  a large selection of nozzle spacing’s. Standard brass or stainless steel fittings can be used throughout the system.

To correctly size and specify a Hydraulic High Pressure system, one must first define the area to be covered and the location of the atomizing nozzles in order to cause Ecosorb® to come into contact with the malodor. If the installation is open air, the engineer must consider nozzle location in relation to the odor source, areas to be protected from the odors (neighbors), prevailing and secondary wind conditions. Often, we place a nozzle line with controls around the entire perimeter of an odor source, such as a wastewater pond.

For example, this installation might be along a fence or roofline. Overall, the most effective wastewater plant surrounded by nozzle system misting equipment placement is to place the atomization nozzles as close to the odor source as possible. Nozzle spacing is not critical, as long as we consider that Ecosorb® must simply come into contact with the malodor.

A conservative suggestion is to space the nozzles 2 to 3 meter apart.

 ECOSORB®:

ECOSORB® has proven to chemically convert foul and potentially harmful gases into non-odorous, non-toxic by products. Some tests has verified that Ecosorb is effective in the breakdown and reduction of hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, sulphur dioxide, ethyl and methyl mercaptans – potentially toxic gases which comprise the most common sources of odour.

Applied Chemicals International group (ACAT) is the official partner of OMI in Europe for industrial applications.

OMI is the world leader in plant oil odour control technology and it has more than 30 years of experience in this field. Its products are safe, natural and effective. ACAT produces and distributes Ecosorb for OMI, a product with high efficiency and effectiveness in controlling a wide range of different odours.  With our innovative equipment, we are able to treat and eliminate odours produced by wastewater treatment plants, waste transfer stations, landfills, compost facilities, food processors, steel mills, foundries, chemical plants, paper mills, petroleum refineries, fiberglass fabricators, remediation sites, tank cleaning applications, and many others.

The odour of waste water is one of the most complex problems to be dealt with, as it often affects the surrounding area. Neighbours are quickly prepared to create a scandal and express their dissatisfaction, in the countryside as well as in cities. Ignoring the problem only makes it worse, because if once the attention of the media is attracted, reporting on proven or suspected violations of the law, it often can lead to lawsuits.

To prevent such undesirable effects from becoming reality, OMI has developed Ecosorb, a natural solution for controlling odours. The air odour neutralizer Ecosorb is a new environmentally- friendly alternative to existing odour control systems. It consists of a proprietary blend of plant oils, food-grade emulsifiers and water that is non-toxic to humans.

In USA OMI collects air samples of odorous gasses on site and sends the samples to their Research and Development Center to be analysed. The Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry is used to detect volatile and semi-volatile compounds and the Gas Chromatography Flame-Induced Ionisation is used to detect sulphur-containing compounds. A team of Ecosorb scientists carries out on-site measurements with various devices like Nasal Ranger and Scentroid: anything greater than 7 odour units is considered a nuisance odour.

ACAT is taking into consideration to use both the Nasal Ranger and the Scentroid also in Europe to ensure accurate analyses and research.

About Ecosorb

Ecosorb products are leading in the natural, safe, effective and complete elimination of unpleasant industrial odours.

Ecosorb has two main product lines:

• An oil-based line: plant oils + plant based diluent
• A water-based line: plant oils + water + surfactant

The Ecosorb odour control products do not mask the odour, but eliminate it permanently by degrading and neutralizing the odour molecules. They are non-toxic, plant-based products and therefore safe for humans and environment. Ecosorb products are a blend of natural plant oil extracts, food grade emulsifiers and water, they are effective, safe to use, biodegradable and harmless to the environment. Ecosorb products are USDA approved and all ingredients are non-toxic according to the guidelines of the Canadian DSL, the European EINECS, the Australian AICS and the United States TSCA.

How Ecosorb works

Usually, in airborne applications of Ecosorb products the atomized or vaporized material is carried into the atmosphere, where it attracts or it is attracted to everything in the atmosphere: a pleasant odour, a malodour or particles.

Research has shown that by using Ecosorb products several mechanisms are involved in the odour neutralization process. Which are the most important ones?

Contacting Van Der Waals interaction

• Electrostatic charge

Adsorption binding of molecules to a surface

• The larger the surface area, the better the adsorption;
• After absorption, the odour molecules are degraded or salts are formed. Ecosorb acid reactions take place with base molecules.

Absorption molecules enter the bulk phase

• the molecules are absorbed by the mass and not by the surface
• Odour under control
• Caused by the solubility of the Molecules.

Solubility the ability of molecules to dissolve in water

• Ecosorb products enhance the

solubility of many gases;

• “The efficiency in odour elimination is proportional to the solubility of the odour” – Dr. Wilkinson

An overview of the delivery systems

The effectiveness of the odour neutralization depends on the effective application of Ecosorb into the malodour containing atmosphere.

Our application technologies are crucial and they include:  vaporization, atomization, additives, maintenance hole gel inserts, and spray gel.

• HPS (high pressure system): provides good atomization through a patented nozzle design and needs water to work.
• VPS (vapour phase system): produces sub-micron droplets and is dispersed as a dry spray. In this case, the droplets are smaller than in the HPS system. As a consequence, a bigger surface area is available and the droplets attract and absorb significantly more malodour. An additional advantage is that no water is needed.
• Additive: direct injection of Ecosorb into asphalt, resins, elastomers and other slurries.
• Gel inserts for maintenance holes
• Spray gel

An important topic – Odour control of styrene

The use of styrene is constantly increasing as industry finds new and innovative applications for this compound. Unfortunately, styrene is considered to be highly reactive in the atmosphere and may contribute to smog formation and the production of secondary air pollutants. It is a volatile organic compound (VOC) and is listed as a hazardous air pollutant (HAP). In high concentrations styrene odours are unpleasant and dangerous. OMI has developed Ecosorb 206 to specifically control styrene odours.  They are not masked, but neutralized and thus completely eliminated. Ecosorb 206 improves the solubility of styrene so that the styrene molecules in the air can be dissolved in the atomized, diluted Ecosorb.

Latest development – Cannabis Odours and Plant-Based Odour Removers

Recently OMI has developed a new line for the odour control of cannabis, using natural plant oils to destroy the cannabis odour. The blend of plant oils attracts the odour molecules and adsorption and absorption reactions neutralise their unpleasant odours.

There is a saying in chemistry: „The same dissolves the same”. A more common version of this is “fighting fire with fire”. Well, that is exactly what natural odour removers do: they use plant oils to neutralize plant odours.

Preview

This factory produces bitumen thanks to two

ovens of 20 tons each. The airflow of these ovens, after dust filter, goes to the chimney.

 Problem

In the case the factory uses recycled asphalt, there are odour problems in the airflow, caused by the various components that remain in this recycled asphalt, for instance: tires, oils and other. This situation produces continuous complaints from the neighborhoods that live close to the factory.

Therefore, the odour problem is one of the priorities for continuing to work without problems with the people and with the environmental police.

 Solution

We install a ring with 5 nozzles (2 micron hole) into the pipe after the dust filter and before the blower, that dose a mix ECOSORB® 606 + WATER.

 Olfactometric test

In cooperation with a laboratory company (PROGRESS Milano) we made olfactometric test for estimating the efficacy of the treatment with ECOSORB® 606. They put an olfactometric unit into the pipe, 3 meters before the end of the chimney. Find the results of the test in the schedule below

 Conclusion

The results obtained, demonstrate that ECOSORB® 606 is the solution for solving the odour problems and the claims of the neighborhoods.

In this moment the factory doses around 500 ml/h of ECOSORB® 606, and the odour is reduced more than 50%.