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Exhaust air purification in smokehouses – safely controlling smoke, odors, and pollutants

Typical emissions in smokehouses

 

Source Typical emissions Special features
Hot smoking (fish/meat) Smoke particles, phenols, aldehydes, VOCs, fat Hot, greasy, very strong smell
Cold smoking Smoke condensates, odors, ammonia Long retention time, diffuse degassing, low air volumes
Post-storage/maturation Aromatic compounds, odorous substances Emissions from product and packaging
Oven opening / cleaning Smoke bursts, cleaning vapors, condensates Impact loads, difficult to detect

Why is exhaust air purification particularly challenging in smokehouses?

Smells from smoke and grease spread far and wide – often across entire neighborhoods

Smoke contains particulate pollutants and greasy aerosols that clog filters and pipes

Conventional filter technology fails to deal with odors and fine particles

Authorities require clear measures to reduce emissions in accordance with TA Luft and GIRL

Exhaust air problems can lead to complaints from neighbors, restrictions, or approval risks

Legal requirements

  • TA Luft (2021): Limit values for VOCs, organic substances, particles
  • GIRL (Odor Emission Guideline): Applicable to facilities located near residential areas
  • BImSchG / 31. BImSchV: Approval required for certain production volumes
  • Optional: HACCP or IFS-compliant design

oxytec supports you with approvals, emission certificates, and plant documentation.

Get advice now – for low-odor, approval-compliant smoking

Would you like to operate your smokehouse with low emissions—without complaints from neighbors, without TNV, and without high maintenance costs?

Contact us—we will provide you with your individual Clean Air solution for the smoking process.

hier anfragen

Clean Air System from Oxytec – for the special requirements of smokehouses

Oxytec technology combines UV-C radiation and ozone oxidation to completely break down:

  • Smoke components
  • volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
  • Odor and aroma substances
  • Grease mist and particles

Technical features:

Pre-filter stages (e.g., metal mesh, coalescence) for grease and aerosols

UV ozone reactor for decomposing organic compounds

Optional: Activated carbon post-stage for particularly sensitive locations

ATEX option available for explosive flue gases

The technical solution from Oxytec

Typical areas of application

Fish smokehouses (e.g., salmon, mackerel, trout)

Meat processing (ham, sausages, bacon)

Vegan smoked products (tofu, seitan, smoked salmon substitute)

Combined systems with hot air, drying, and smoke

Manufacturing facilities and industrial lines with high cycle rates

Your advantages with Oxytec Clean Air

Odor reduction >90% – even for fish and ham

Residue-free flue gas treatment without combustion

Compact, low maintenance, retrofittable

Ideal for difficult cases – with high odor complaints or approval requirements

Can be combined with heat recovery or exhaust air extraction systems

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

Which emissions from smokehouses are particularly problematic?

The combination of:

  • grease mist,
  • smoke particles,
  • phenols, aldehydes, and VOCs,
  • as well as intense, adhesive odors
    makes exhaust air purification in smokehouses particularly challenging.
    These substances are not only unpleasant-smelling, but can also be corrosive, filter-clogging, and harmful to health.

How does Clean Air Technology work against smoke and odors?

The system uses:

  • UV-C radiation to break down organic molecules
  • Ozone oxidation to neutralize smoke components, odor molecules, and VOCs
    The advantage: No combustion, no residues, no thermal stress on the air.

Can Clean Air also work effectively with fish smoking odors?

Yes – fish odors in particular (e.g., from salmon, mackerel, trout) contain sulfur and protein molecules that are extremely pungent.

Clean Air was specially developed to effectively treat even such difficult cases.

In practice, odor reduction is >90%, and in some cases significantly higher, depending on pre-separation and air flow.

What happens to grease and aerosols—doesn’t that clog up the system?

No – thanks to the modular design with:

  • mechanical pre-separation (metal filter, coalescence filter)
  • and, if necessary, automatic filter monitoring
    UV chambers and reactor surfaces     remain protected.
    Maintenance can be planned and is adapted to the process.

Can the system also be used with hot or humid smoke air intake?

Yes – the systems are designed for hot, humid, greasy exhaust air.

Maximum exhaust air temperature: approx. 80°C continuous operation

For higher temperatures, pre-conditioning with a heat exchanger can be used.

How much maintenance is required?

UV lamps: Replacement every 8,000–10,000 operating hours

Filter cleaning: Depending on grease load, usually monthly or quarterly

Optional: Automatic contamination detection and remote monitoring
Maintenance is significantly easier than with thermal afterburning (TNV).

What about fire safety?

Clean Air Systems:

  • operate without an open flame
  • Do not require gas or combustion
  • Contain ignition-source-free UV modules
    This means they meet the highest safety requirements, even in greasy environments.

Is the system eligible for approval under TA Luft and GIRL?

Yes – Clean Air complies with:

  • the requirements of TA Luft 2021 (VOCs, organic emissions)
  • the requirements of GIRL (Odor Emission Directive)
  • optionally also requirements from the Federal Immission Control Act (BImSchG) / 31st Federal Immission Control Ordinance (BImSchV)
    We provide the necessary technical documentation, emission certificates, and measurement documents.

Can Clean Air be retrofitted into existing smokehouses?

Yes – the system is:

  • modular in design,
  • space-saving,
  • can be integrated into exhaust air ducts, shafts, or roofs.
    Retrofitting is usually possible even in buildings with complex structures or during ongoing operations.