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Exhaust air purification in the chemical industry – safely neutralizing complex emissions

oxytec systems for VOCs, aerosols, acids, odors, and energy losses

The chemical industry produces highly complex exhaust air streams – often contaminated with VOCs, acidic gases, solvents, dust, odors, and moisture. At the same time, these exhaust air streams often contain a lot of energy, making heat recovery both economically and ecologically sensible.

oxytec offers customized solutions for exhaust air purification and energy recovery that are tailored to the specific conditions of chemical production processes: robust, combinable, and approvable.

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Typical emission sources in the chemical industry

emission source Typical pollutants Special features / Temperature range
Reactors, synthesis plants VOCs, amines, formaldehyde, HCl, SO₂, nitrogen oxides Hot, humid, potentially explosive
Distillation, extraction, drying Solvents, VOCs, condensable vapors, fine dust 60–140 °C, high solvent content
Filling and handling of volatile media VOCs, odors, alcohols, ammonia Selective emissions, often diffusion-related
Cleaning / CIP Aerosols, acid vapors, cleaning chemicals Warm and humid, sometimes corrosive
Thermal processes (e.g., polymer synthesis) VOCs, additives, process vapors, heat 80–180°C, continuous, often sticky

Why use Oxytec systems in the chemical industry?

Multifunctional cleaning (VOCs, odors, aerosols, heat)

Corrosion-resistant technology (stainless steel, chemically compatible components)

Suitable for ATEX zones and high-temperature areas

No open flame → no additional explosion hazard

Approval-compliant and eligible for subsidies

Legal requirements

TA Luft 2021

  • Strict VOC, dust, and odor values for chemical plants
  • Obligation to treat exhaust air in an energy-efficient manner
  • Obligation to reduce substances that are harmful to health and the environment

BImSchG / 4. BImSchV

  • Almost all chemical plants require approval
  • Exhaust air concepts must be measurable and documented

GIRL (Odor Emission Guideline)

  • Particularly relevant for urban locations or mixed-use areas
  • Proof of emission forecasts or olfactometry

EEWärmeG / GEG / EED

  • Obligation to use process waste heat
  • Exhaust air heat recovery can be credited to the primary energy balance

Eligible for funding via

  • BAFA (Module 4 – Process heat, heat recovery)
  • KfW environmental programs
  • Special chemical/environmental subsidy programs of the federal states

Contact us – we will develop your modular solution

Do you operate a plant with complex exhaust air? We offer systems that are precisely tailored to your material flows and production conditions.

Get a no-obligation consultation now—Oxytec is your partner for safe, economical, and clean exhaust air technology.

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oxytec technologies in use

UV ozone systems

Oxidizes VOCs, solvents, and odorous substances

Operates even at high temperatures and humidity

No thermal process → no energy destruction

Optional ATEX-compliant design

Aerosol and droplet separator

Removes fine dust, condensable particles, and chemical mist

High efficiency even with moist or sticky media

Protects downstream components and heat exchangers

Heat recovery systems (HRS)

Use of existing process heat, e.g., for fresh air preheating

Heat exchanger made of corrosion-resistant stainless steel

Can be integrated into HVAC, hot water, or process media

Flushable and easy to maintain

Condoheat – Efficient heat utilization

Daughter solution for returning recovered heat to the process

Can be combined with heat pumps or storage solutions

Significantly reduces primary energy demand

Typical areas of application

  • Manufacture of plastics, adhesives, resins, paints, coatings

  • Production of fine chemicals, active pharmaceutical ingredients, additives

  • Processing of cleaning, disinfecting, or solvent raw materials

  • Filling lines and packaging of volatile or odorous substances

  • Technical drying or synthesis processes with VOC content

Your advantages with oxytec systems

  • Combined purification of VOCs, odors, acids, and heat
  • No open flame – suitable for potentially explosive atmospheres
  • Can be combined with existing ventilation and process infrastructure
  • Reduction of operating costs and primary energy requirements
  • Planning reliability, approval-ready, and low maintenance

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

Which pollutants typically occur in chemical production processes?

Depending on the process, the following emissions occur in the chemical industry:

  • VOCs (e.g., alcohols, ketones, aromatics)
  • Amines, ammonia, organic acids
  • Acid vapors (e.g., HCl, HNO₃, SO₂)
  • Odorous substances, solvent vapors
  • Aerosols, fine dust, mist

These substances are often toxic, corrosive, or odorous—and often explosive as well.

Why is simple filtration or exhaust air dilution usually insufficient?
  • Many substances are gaseous and finely dispersed → they pass through conventional filters
  • Odors and VOCs are disruptive even in very low concentrations
  • Emissions cannot simply be “diluted” but must be chemically neutralized
  • TA Luft and GIRL prescribe technical reduction

oxytec systems offer a stable, measurable, and approvable solution.

How does UV ozone technology work in chemical exhaust air purification?
  • UV-C lamps generate high-energy light that breaks down oxygen into ozone
  • Ozone oxidizes VOCs, odorous substances, amines, and organic vapors
  • The reaction products are mostly CO₂ and water
  • The technology is flameless, residue-free, and low-maintenance

Multi-zone reactors are optionally used for demanding mixed gas flows.

What materials are used for corrosive exhaust air?

oxytec relies on:

  • Stainless steel (e.g., V4A) or acid-resistant plastics for reactors and pipes
  • ATEX-certified components where required
  • Separators with PTFE coatings or flushable fins
  • Specially sealed heat exchangers when using WRG

The systems are designed for long-term operation under chemical stress.

Can Oxytec also separate aerosols, mist, or acidic droplets?

Yes – via upstream mechanical or coalescing separators, depending on the load:

  • Aerosol separators for additives, fine particles, solvent mist
  • Droplet separators for condensing moisture or acid vapors
  • Scrubber elements optional for high acid content

The separators are cleanable, modular, and expandable.

How high is the heat recovery potential in chemical processes?

Many chemical processes release significant amounts of usable heat—for example, from:

  • Reactors, dryers, distillation plants
  • Exhaust air flows > 60 °C with high volume flow
  • Processes with continuous heat loads

oxytec systems enable the preheating of supply air, water, or process media, thereby reducing primary energy consumption.

Which legal regulations are particularly relevant in the chemical industry?
  • TA Luft 2021 – including VOC limits, formaldehyde, NH₃, odor
  • 4. BImSchV / BImSchG – for production facilities requiring approval
  • GIRL – limit values for odor dispersion in sensitive areas
  • Hazardous Substances Ordinance (GefStoffV) – technical and organizational requirements
  • EEWärmeG, GEG, EED – requirements for energy efficiency and waste heat utilization

oxytec supplies systems that are documentable and comply with TA-Luft.

Is funding available from BAFA or other agencies?

Yes – the following investments are often eligible for funding:

  • Exhaust air purification systems for VOC reduction
  • Energy-efficient heat recovery from exhaust air
  • Optimization of ventilation technology for process and environmental protection

Relevant programs:

  • BAFA Module 4 (cross-sectional technologies)
  • KfW funding “Decarbonization in industry”
  • Country-specific environmental technology programs

oxytec provides support with eligibility and application documents.