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Exhaust air purification in the sanitization of organic waste – protecting health and the environment

During the hygienization of organic residues – for example as part of legal requirements for disease prevention – waste is treated thermally or chemically in order to safely kill pathogenic germs. However, this also produces intense odors, ammonia vapors and microbial aerosols, which can be released into the environment with the exhaust air.

Oxytec offers you reliable exhaust air purification systems that have been specially developed for these sensitive processes – for more hygiene, safety and acceptance.

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Typical emissions during hygienization

  • Ammonia (NH₃) – released by nitrogenous components such as protein or urea.

  • Organic odorous substances (VOCs) – produced during thermal decomposition of food, fat and animal residues.

  • Germs, bacteria, viruses – can spread via aerosols and pose a hygiene risk.

  • Condensate and fine dust – due to steam processes and air turbulence.

Controlled exhaust air purification is essential, especially in closed rooms with sensitive technology, adjacent residential buildings or strict requirements in accordance with BImSchV.

Do you operate a sanitization system? We ensure clean air.

Oxytec develops and supplies suitable exhaust air purification systems for hygienic and legally compliant air flow – individually tailored to your process.

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UV ozone systems – killing germs and eliminating odors in one step

Our systems combine UV-C radiation with active ozone, which oxidatively destroys airborne germs and neutralizes odour-intensive VOCs at the same time. Ideal for:

  • Hygienization zones with a high microbiological risk

  • Covers over containers or heat exchangers

  • Process rooms with thermal disinfection processes

Advantages:

  • Destruction of germs without residues

  • Odor reduction without chemicals

  • Continuous 24/7 operation possible

Exhaust air scrubbers – filter ammonia and water-soluble substances

Water-based washing systems reliably bind ammonia, sulphur compounds and other water-soluble gases. Multi-stage systems with chemical or biological washing stages are used for particularly high levels of contamination.

Advantages:

  • Compliance with statutory emission values

  • Removal of reactive substances from the air

  • Can be flexibly combined with UV or activated carbon

Clean Washer Air

Gegenstromwäscher zur Beseitigung von Geruch und Partikeln

Activated carbon modules – final cleaning stage for residues

Activated carbon reliably binds residual organic compounds – ideal as a final stage of protection against odors and VOCs.

Advantages:

  • High adsorption performance

  • Quick filter change

  • Low space requirement

KAT Industrie

Aktivkohlefilter als Speicher­reaktor zur Luft­nachbehandlung

Further applications

  • rendering

  • Blood meal production

  • Heparin plants

  • Ammonia filter pasteurization

  • Food waste

Your advantages with Oxytec systems

  • Effective reduction of germs and emissions
  • Ensures hygienic exhaust air routing
  • Low energy consumption, robust in continuous operation
  • Modular and retrofittable – even in existing systems
  • Professional design, installation and maintenance

FAQ – häufige Fragen

What is meant by sanitizing organic waste?

Hygienization is a process for destroying pathogenic germs, viruses and parasites in organic waste – such as food waste, biowaste, animal by-products or slaughterhouse waste.
Typically, is heated to 70 °C for at least 60 minutes, also known as “pasteurization”. The aim is to achieve a hygienically safe state before further processing or disposal.

What is the exhaust air from sanitization systems contaminated with?

The thermal treatment produces:

  • Ammonia from nitrogenous waste

  • Odorous substances (VOCs) from fats, proteins and decomposition products

  • Microbial aerosols from bacteria and fungi

  • Condensates with harmful substances when steam is formed
    These emissions are not only odorous, but also pose a risk in terms of hygiene and licensing law.

What are the requirements for exhaust air purification in hygienization processes?

The requirements result from, among other things:

  • TA Luft (Technical Instructions on Air Quality Control)

  • BImSchG (Federal Immission Control Act)

  • Hygiene requirements in accordance with EU Regulation (EC) No. 1069/2009 for animal by-products

  • Requirements from approval or building permit procedures
    As a rule, the exhaust air must be cleaned in such a way that odors, germs and corrosive componentsare reduced to a minimum.

Which technologies are suitable for exhaust air purification in hygienization?

Proven procedures are:

  • UV ozone systems → oxidative degradation of odors & germs

  • Chemical exhaust air scrubbers → Targeted removal of ammonia and H₂S

  • Activated carbon filters → Adsorption of organic residues (VOCs)

  • Electrostatic precipitators → Separation of fine aerosols and dust
    The systems can be combined on a modular basis – depending on the emission profile of the system.

How can the effectiveness of exhaust air purification be proven?

Evidence is provided, for example, by:

  • Odor measurements according to VDI 3880/3881

  • Microbiological air tests

  • Measurements of NH₃, H₂S, VOCs

  • Air flow and operating data recordings
    Oxytec provides support with planning, documentation and communication with authorities on request.

Are hygienization systems with exhaust air purification eligible for funding?

In many cases yes – e.g. via:

  • Federal or state subsidies for emission reduction, hygiene or recycling management

  • Programs such as the federal program for energy efficiency in agriculture & horticulture

  • Regional environmental or waste subsidies
    We will be happy to advise you on current funding opportunities and assist you with the application process.

What does an exhaust air purification system for a hygienization process cost?

This depends on the amount of air, type of pollutant and desired degree of purification.
Typical costs:

  • Compact UV ozone systems from approx. € 10,000

  • Combination systems (e.g. UV + scrubber + activated carbon) significantly higher
    In many cases, the investment is amortized by the ability to obtain a permit, lower maintenance costs for technology and a better environmental balance.

Can I retrofit existing systems?

Yes, the Oxytec systems are modular and can also be integrated into existing systems – e.g. as a container solution, extension or air duct installation. This is particularly useful for:

  • new odor complaints

  • changed permit conditions

  • Expansion of hygienization capacities