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CAS123-86-4
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Structural formula
C₆H₁₂O₂
Remove butyl acetate from the exhaust air
What is butyl acetate?
Butyl acetate, also known as n-butyl acetate, is a colourless, highly flammable liquid. It belongs to the ester group and is known for its fruity odour. Butyl acetate is mainly used as a solvent in the chemical industry. It can be found in many applications, including paints, varnishes, adhesives and cleaning agents. Its good solubility for many organic substances makes it a versatile and frequently used solvent.
Creation
Butyl acetate is produced industrially by the esterification of acetic acid with n-butanol under acidic conditions. This process takes place in large-scale chemical plants and produces butyl acetate on a large scale. In the paint and varnish industry, butyl acetate is used as a solvent and thinner. In the adhesives industry, it serves as an important solvent component, while in detergent production it is used in special cleaning and degreasing agents.
Discovery
Butyl acetate is a colourless liquid with a characteristic fruity odour. It has a moderate evaporation rate and may irritate eyes and skin. Inhalation of vapours can cause headaches, dizziness and nausea. In high concentrations it has an anaesthetic effect.
Limit values
In Germany, the limit values for butyl acetate are regulated by the Technical Instructions on Air Quality Control (TA-Luft) and the Occupational Exposure Limit Values (OEL). The OEL for butyl acetate is 100 ppm (parts per million) or 480 mg/m³. These limit values are intended to ensure that the concentrations in the workplace do not cause any damage to health.
Hazards
Health: At high exposure levels, butyl acetate can cause eye and skin irritation as well as headaches and dizziness. Long-term exposure may affect the central nervous system. Ingestion of butyl acetate may cause nausea, vomiting and serious health problems. Environment: Butyl acetate is biodegradable, but may pollute water and soil at high concentrations. It is toxic to aquatic organisms and can disrupt the ecological balance if released into the environment. Economic damage: The handling of butyl acetate requires caution due to its explosion and fire risk. Improper storage and handling can lead to significant property damage, loss of production and high clean-up costs in the event of environmental pollution.
The oxytec Purification Technology
For many organic pollutants, we offer energy-saving and clean technologies for neutralisation, which we combine in multi-stage plants. In order to achieve a reduction below the limit values, not only the dimensioning of the respective purification stage but also the sequence of the technologies is decisive, as they have different physical effects on the molecules. Below we present some of our purification modules.
CWA
Alternative technologies
In addition to our solutions, there are other technologies such as conventional activated carbon filters and simple ventilation systems. However, these often have disadvantages such as high energy consumption, limited cleaning performance, large space requirements, long lead times and high investment costs.
Advantages of the oxytec solution
- Compact design: Small footprint compared to traditional systems
- Low operating costs, therefore fast amortisation
- Environmentally friendly: Minimal environmental impact thanks to innovative technologies
- Efficient butyl acetate reduction: High efficiency thanks to high purification levels with minimal energy consumption
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