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CAS111-76-2
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Structural formula
C₆H₁₄O₂
Remove butyl glycol from the exhaust air
What is butyl glycol?
Butyl glycol, also known as 2-butoxyethanol, is a colourless, highly flammable liquid. It belongs to the group of glycol ethers and is often used in the chemical industry due to its excellent solvent properties. Butyl glycol is an important solvent in paints, varnishes, cleaning agents and other industrial products. It plays an essential role in the production of plastics and is also used as a degreasing agent in metalworking.
Creation
Butyl glycol is mainly produced by the reaction of ethylene oxide with n-butanol under acid catalysis. This industrial process takes place in large chemical plants and produces butyl glycol on a large scale. The chemical is used in a variety of industries, including the paint and coatings industry as a solvent and thinner, detergent production for household and industrial cleaners, and metalworking, where it is used as a degreasing agent and corrosion inhibitor.
Discovery
Butyl glycol is a colourless liquid with a slightly sweet, ethereal odour. It has a medium evaporation rate and can irritate the eyes and skin. Vapours of butyl glycol may cause headaches and dizziness and may cause respiratory irritation with prolonged exposure.
Limit values
In Germany, the limit values for butyl glycol are regulated by the Technical Instructions on Air Quality Control (TA-Luft) and the Occupational Exposure Limit Values (OEL). The OEL for butyl glycol is 10 ppm (parts per million) or 49 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 glycol can cause eye and skin irritation, headaches and dizziness. Long-term exposure may affect the nervous system and cause liver and kidney damage. There is a risk of poisoning if the vapours are inhaled or swallowed. Environment: Butyl glycol is biodegradable, but in high concentrations can pollute water and soil and have negative effects on local flora and fauna. High concentrations can disturb the ecological balance. Economic damage: Improper handling of butyl glycol can lead to considerable material damage due to fires and explosions. Production losses and expensive remediation measures in the event of contamination are possible consequences.
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 glycol reduction: High efficiency thanks to high cleaning levels with minimal energy consumption
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