Federal, state, and local regulations often limit the quantity of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are emitted from a variety of sources, including industrial facilities, groundwater remediation sites (air stripper or soil vapor extraction off-gas), and landfills.  Examples of compounds that have to be removed include benzene, halogenated solvents (TCE, vinyl chloride), and siloxanes.  Treatment of these various vapor sources to reduce the VOC emissions is often required to comply with regulations.

Industries predominantly utilize municipally treated drinking water for their process needs.  In such cases, removal of VOCs normally occurs as a part of the water treatment process and is in accordance with drinking water standards.  Likewise, some industries use recycled/reuse water for their makeup needs.  The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates the level of contaminants allowable in wastewater streams destined for discharge to sewers and the environment.  As such, VOC removal is performed as a compliance requirement in wastewaters destined for reuse/recycle applications.  In most instances, therefore,VOC removal is often achieved prior to delivery as influent/makeup to the industrial plant.

Numerous technologies exist to perform VOC reduction in vapor streams; one of the most common methods is through the employment of granular activated carbon (GAC) in fixed bed adsorber vessels.  Many VOCs readily adsorb onto GAC, and the spent GAC can often be sent for thermal reactivation as an effective, environmentally friendly means of disposal.  

VOC Control Technologies for Your Odor and Vapor Control Applications

Activated Carbon Adsorption