Objective
The coating of steel sheet with paint in coil coating shops causes emissions of organic (and inorganic) compounds into the air. These emissions are very strong-smelling and may constitute a health hazard. As far as possible, they are captured and destroyed in a high-temperature thermal incinerator before being released into the atmosphere.
The degree of efficiency required makes this method very expensive.
ESCS project No 7261-04/441/02, which is currently in progress, suggests the catalytic incineration method of destruction as an alternative to the thermal process.
This method offers various advantages, the most important being the energy saving. A temperature of 250-300 C is sufficient to obtain complete oxidation of VOCs (volatile organic compounds), whereas temperatures in excess of 700 C are required in conventional thermal incinerators.
The temperature needed is therefore very close to the temperature of the gases emitted from the drying section (175-200 C); the exothermicity of the VOC oxidation reaction would make the process autothermic.
However, the catalysts used are sensitive to poisoning, which means that they gradually become less efficient and eventually have to be replaced.
Catalyst ageing, a vital factor in determining industrial feasibility, therefore has to be studied in long-term production-site tests - which will also provide an insight into the efficiency of the process in respect of all the compounds found in the large variety of paints used.
Continuous long-duration tests will be carried out on a representatively-sized pilot (400 Nm{3}/h) constructed on site. The computerised analysis equipment developed during the present research phase will be modified to allow for the constraints of an industrial site.
The various operational parameters will be recorded on site, and the effluents from the thermal (existing) and catalytic incinerators will be analysed.
A standardised ageing test will be carried out on the catalyst at regular intervals in order to monitor changes in its efficiency.
The operational parameters will also be analysed in order to optimise the reactor.
The aim is to identify the most suitable catalyst. If any poisoning occurs, technically and economically feasible solutions will be developed.
Finally, the possibility of using a catalytic incinerator as a purification unit downstream of the existing thermal incinerator will be studied.
Topic(s)
Call for proposal
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1348 Louvain-la-Neuve
Belgium