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CAS78-83-1
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Structural formula
C₄H₁₀O
Remove isobutanol from the exhaust air
What is isobutanol?
Isobutanol, also known as isobutyl alcohol, is a colourless, highly flammable alcohol. It belongs to the alkanol group and has a branched structure. Isobutanol is often used as a solvent in the chemical industry and as an intermediate in the production of isobutyl acetate and other chemicals. Due to its good solubility properties and relatively low toxicity, isobutanol is widely used in various industrial processes.
Origin
Isobutanol is mainly produced by petrochemical processes, in particular by the hydroformylation of propylene and subsequent hydrogenation. It is used in the production of varnishes, paints, resins, plasticisers and as a solvent in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries.
Recognition
Isobutanol is a colourless liquid with a characteristic, slightly alcoholic odour. It can irritate the eyes and skin and cause dizziness, headaches and nausea if vapours are inhaled. Isobutanol evaporates quickly and forms flammable vapours that pose an explosion hazard.
Limit values
In Germany, the limit values for isobutanol are regulated by the Technical Instructions on Air Quality Control (TA-Luft) and the occupational exposure limit values (OEL). The OEL for isobutanol is 50 ppm (parts per million) or 150 mg/m³. These limit values are intended to ensure that the concentrations in the workplace do not cause any damage to health.
Hazards
Health: High concentrations of isobutanol can cause respiratory irritation, dizziness, headaches and drowsiness. Long-term exposure can damage the nervous system and lead to neuropathies. If swallowed, there is a risk of poisoning, which can cause nausea and vomiting. Environment: Isobutanol is poorly biodegradable and can contaminate water and soil in high concentrations, which can damage flora and fauna. It can disturb the ecological balance. Economic damage: Improper handling of isobutanol harbours the risk of explosion and fire, which can lead to considerable material damage and production losses. High insurance costs and legal consequences are also possible risks.
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 isobutanol reduction: High efficiency thanks to high purification levels with minimal energy consumption