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Exhaust air purification in cleaning processes

Industrial cleaning processes often generate significant exhaust air pollution: Solvents such as acetone, IPA, or ethanol, cleaning vapors, surfactants, emulsions, or aerosols are used in degreasing, parts cleaning, color changes, and plant maintenance—and they end up in the air. This produces volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and odor-active substances that are relevant to health and the environment.
oxytec offers energy-efficient and compact exhaust air purification systems that reliably remove VOCs, odors, and vapors – while meeting all requirements of the TA Luft, VOC Directive, and occupational safety regulations.

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Typical cleaning processes with exhaust air pollution

Application Typical emissions Special features
Parts cleaning (manual/automatic) Alcohols, hydrocarbons, emulsions High VOC load, possibly aerosols and moisture
Color changes in paint shops Acetone, ethanol, solvents Very high peak load for short periods
Degreasing/pre-treatment IPA, surfactants, acid vapors, VOCs ATEX-relevant, often heated cleaning media
Plant and tool cleaning Solvents, odors Diffusion difficult to control, irregular emissions
Maintenance Cleaning chemicals, oil vapors Changing substances, often diffuse release

Why is exhaust air purification so important during cleaning processes?

  • VOCs and cleaning vapors pollute the air we breathe and the environment.
  • Many substances are highly flammable or toxic.
  • Without cleaning, there is a risk of odor problems, complaints, and restrictions.
  • In many cases, solvent vapors pose an ATEX risk.
  • Legal requirements from TA Luft, 31. BImSchV, VOC Directive
    Occupational safety and indoor air quality must be complied with.

Legal framework

  • TA Luft 2021: Limit values for VOCs, aldehydes, moisture
  • 31. BImSchV: Emission reduction obligation from VOC use >2 t/year
  • ATEX (2014/34/EU): for flammable substances such as acetone, IPA, ethyl acetate
  • Occupational safety regulations (e.g., TRGS 510/900): Indoor air limit values for cleaning agents

We support you in risk assessment, zone classification, and permit planning.

Get advice now – for clean air during cleaning processes

Do you want to operate cleaning areas safely, avoid odors, and minimize emissions?

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oxytec systems for exhaust air purification in cleaning processes

UV ozone systems

Ideal for oxidizing VOCs, solvents, and odorous substances—without combustion.

  • Areas of application:
  • Cleaning rooms
  • Exhaust air above basins, chambers, or cabins

Color change areas in paint shops

Advantages:

  • Compact and energy-efficient
  • Highly effective even at low to medium concentrations
  • No open flame → no ATEX risk from flame

activated carbon filter

For residual pollution or diffuse VOC sources, ideal as a secondary stage or stand-alone solution for low air volumes.

Areas of application:

  • Workshops, laboratories, technical areas
  • Retrofitted individual workstations
  • Smaller cleaning stations

KAT Industry

Activated carbon filter as a storage reactor for air post-treatment

Special solutions & prefilter technology

For aerosols, moisture, or particles, upstream filters (e.g., droplet separators, particle stages) can be integrated to protect ozone or carbon components.

Areas of application in practice

  • Mechanical engineering, automotive, aerospace technology
  • Painting and coating companies
  • Plastics and metal processing
  • Pharmaceutical, packaging, and food technology
  • Workshops, maintenance halls, technical centers, and laboratory areas

Your advantages with oxytec systems

  • Effective against VOCs, solvent vapors, and odors
  • Energy-efficient – without combustion
  • Stable even during short-term peak loads
  • Retrofittable & individually adaptable
  • Support with authorities, subsidies, and measurement planning

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

Which cleaning agents cause particularly critical emissions?

Frequently used problematic substances are:

  • Acetone, isopropanol, ethanol
  • Ethyl acetate, MEK, xylene
  • Surfactants, emulsifiers, steam additives
  • Acrylates or photoreactive residues from UV cleaning

Some of these substances are toxic, flammable, or have a strong odor—and must be controlled in accordance with TA Luft and TRGS.

What distinguishes cleaning exhaust air from other types of process exhaust air?

Cleaning exhaust air is often:

  • very highly polluted for a short period of time (e.g., during color changes)
  • diffusely distributed (e.g., during manual wiping/spraying)
  • not continuous, but unpredictably intense

This is why responsive systems with a buffering effect are needed—such as UV ozone in combination with activated carbon.

Is the use of UV ozone systems safe with flammable solvents?

Yes – our systems are ignition-source-free and can be built to be ATEX-compliant on request.

  • built to be ATEX-compliant
  • equipped with sensors for VOC monitoring
  • be operated safely in potentially explosive atmospheres

Correct air flow, grounding, and volume flow control are crucial here – we plan this individually for you.

Can Oxytec systems also be used for cleaning stations in open spaces?

Yes—there are solutions for:

  • Local extraction with extraction hoods
  • Capture of entire work areas with room air purification
  • mobile units for flexible cleaning islands

We can help you select the best combination of source and room extraction.

How can different cleaning areas be combined in one system?

Depending on the size of the business, this can be achieved by:

  • central extraction pipes with segment control
  • zone monitoring and differentiated air flows
  • Modular filter systems with regulated throughput

Important: Not all cleaning agents are miscible – therefore, we always check the chemical compatibility of the exhaust air contents.

What are the limits for cleaning exhaust air?
  • TA Luft and TRGS 900 regulate workplace limits and exhaust air limits for VOCs and cleaning agents
  • 31. BImSchV requires technical or organizational reduction measures for VOC use above 2 t/year
  • GIRL (Odor Emission Guideline) regulates acceptance limits for odor-intensive media
  • The ATEX zone requirement applies to explosive substances

How often do filters or UV lamps need to be replaced?
  • UV lamps: generally after 8,000 to 10,000 operating hours
  • Activated carbon: 1–2 times per year, depending on load (more frequently in case of high peaks)
  • Optional filter monitoring automatically indicates when a replacement is necessary

How complex is it to retrofit an exhaust air system at existing cleaning stations?

Our systems are compact, modular, and easy to retrofit—even

  • for existing cleaning tables or hoods
  • when connected to central extraction systems
  • with low space requirements in workshops or production lines

Implementation usually takes place during ongoing operations, without long downtimes.

Are there any subsidy programs for exhaust air systems in cleaning processes?

Yes, e.g.:

  • BAFA programs for energy efficiency and emission reduction
  • State subsidies for investments in environmental technology
  • Subsidies under BImSchG approvals, if applicable

oxytec assists with selection, documentation, and application.