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CAS1330-20-7
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Structural formula
C₈H₁₀
Remove xylene from the exhaust air
What is xylene?
Xylene, also known as dimethylbenzene, is a colourless, flammable liquid. It belongs to the aromatics group and exists in three isomers: o-xylene, m-xylene and p-xylene. Xylene is often used as a solvent in the paint, varnish and adhesive industries as well as in the manufacture of plastics and synthetic fibres. Due to its good solubility for organic compounds, xylene is an important substance in the chemical industry.
Origin
Xylene is mainly obtained through the distillation and refining of crude oil. It is used in various industrial processes, including the production of paints, varnishes, adhesives and plastics. It is also used in the printing and leather industries.
Recognition
Xylene is a colourless liquid with a characteristic, aromatic odour. It can irritate the eyes and skin and its vapours can cause headaches, dizziness and drowsiness. Due to its volatile nature, xylene can easily evaporate and form flammable vapours.
Limit values
In Germany, the limit values for xylene are regulated by the Technical Instructions on Air Quality Control (TA-Luft) and the occupational exposure limit values (OEL). The OEL for xylene is 100 ppm (parts per million) or 440 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 xylene 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: Xylene 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 xylene 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 xylene reduction: High efficiency thanks to high purification levels with minimal energy consumption
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