A plastic sheet manufacturer in New York has to keep levels of methyl methacrylate emissions under control in order to meet regulations. The company manufactures reinforced acrylic sheets, for lighting and decorative applications, and fiberglass sheets for aircraft and shipboard use. Production of the plastic sheets emitted about 10 lbs/hour of methyl methacrylate. A CAP-5000 installed at the production line brings emission levels down to approximately 2 lbs/day, well under regulatory levels. A CAP-90, placed in the lunch room, controls emission odors while workers enjoy their lunch and aids in the creation of a clean air zone. The clean air zone attracts fugitive odors and cleans the adjacent offices of MMA odors.
Tank Vent Emissions Controlled
A CAP™ Clean Air Plant is used to control tank vent emissions for one of the largest energy transportation, storage, and distribution companies in North America. Located in Carteret, New Jersey, the company has a storage capacity of 7 million barrels and transports petroleum and chemicals throughout North America. New regulations require the company to treat tank displacement air when loading petroleum and other chemicals into tank cars. The company previously used activated carbon, but found that carbon became quickly saturated with chemical vapors and could even catch fire. The CAP keeps tank vent emission levels low enough to meet regulations and saves money on carbon replacement.
Odor Control at Bakery
A wholesale manufacturer of cake products, located in a 120,000 square foot facility in Boston, Massachusetts, controls odors in their DAF (dissolved air flotation) room with a CAP-600. The company offers an array of food products to the supermarket industry. Their in-house production of food products creates an array of baking odors and cooking odors. The CAP-600 controls FOG (fats, oils, and grease) odors as well as odors associated with de-oiling. sgblue, inc. is working with the company to design a Clean Water Plant for waste water treatment and for oil/water separation.
Design of CAP™ Clean Air Plant for Auto Mechanics
Familiar with sgblue, inc.'s biological treatment systems for industry and remediation, the Mechanics' Education Association of New Jersey asked AWS to design a smaller system for use on indoor air quality inside auto mechanics garages and auto paint workshops. Using the same technology applied to cleaning hazardous waste sites, AWS, in essence, "miniaturized" its industrial design and created the CAP™ Clean Air Plant, the first portable, biological air cleaning system for use on indoor air pollution. Tested on auto exhaust, paint fumes, brake cleaner, cigarette smoke, and other indoor air contaminants, the CAP destroys all types of organic pollution such as CO, VOCs, SOx, NOx, ozone, while removing heavy metals and solids from the air, and eliminating odors caused by pollution.
Approved by Fire Department of Nail and Beauty Salons
Fumes associated with nail solvents and hair products in beauty and nail salons are a fire hazard, as well as a health hazard. Potentially flammable and explosive situations arise when nail products are stored or used improperly. The CAP was approved by a local Florida Fire Department to be used as an alternative to ventilation systems in beauty and nail salons. The CAP was considered favorable to ventilation systems because it eliminates the fumes as opposed to just exhausting them elsewhere, and saves on heating and cooling costs.
Printers and Print Shops
The CAP destroys fumes and emissions from printers' blanket wash, a solvent used to clean rollers on small printing presses between runs. The most common solvent used by the industry, the blanket wash contains petroleum naphtha and dipropylene glycol methyl ether and is considered an OSHA Class 1B flammable liquid. The CAP also reduces the odors associated with use of the solvent and keeps exposure levels to below the standard OSHA workplace limits.
Photography Laboratories
Fixer solutions contain sulfites and acetic acid. Improper ventilation of these contaminants can cause health problems in addition to being corrosive to other major equipment. CAPs clean the air in photo labs while eliminating the corrosive atmosphere. A separate CWP™ Clean Water Plant treats contaminated water from the photo baths.
Auto Mechanics' Garages and Auto Paint Shops
Auto repair technicians and paint shop workers are constantly exposed to air contaminants such as CO, VOCs, SOx, and NOx. Recent studies on diesel exhaust indicate that it is a potential carcinogen to humans. CAPs destroy the air contaminants in auto and diesel exhaust and eliminate the health hazards associated with breathing these compounds.
Gasoline Transfer Station
The CAP replaced activated carbon on a soil vapor extraction project used by a California gas pipeline transfer station to remediate soil contaminated with methane, hydrocarbons, and glycol. The carbon was not working because of significant moisture and heavy hydrocarbon loads, which required constant changing of the carbon beds. Two CAP-350s replaced the carbon, occupying much less space than the carbon beds and saving approximately $400 per day in carbon replacement costs.
Upholster Company
The CAP controls fumes from glue products and fabric particles released from sewing machines at an upholstery and drapery company in Manhattan. Air quality had been the number one complaint of the employees. The CAP has improved the indoor air quality in the workshop and has eliminated the complaints.
Bow and Arrow Manufacturer
The CAP controls indoor air quality at a bow and arrow manufacturer in California. The manufacturer uses acetone and two to three tubes of glue per day to glue feathers on plastic veins. The workers were experiencing head aches, nausea, and dizziness from the fumes. The CAP has improved the air quality and the workers' complaints. Flexographic Printer & Laminator A large CAP biotreatment system designed specifically for printers is used to replace thermal catalytic and regenerative oxidizers. The CAP destroys n-propyl acetate and other solvent emissions connected with the printing and coating processes. The CAP also saves on energy consumption and usage, weighs approximately 1/10th of its replacement and requires only 1/10th the space of the incinerator.
MTBE Contamination Cleaned at Site Near School
A Delaware state contractor, using soil vapor extraction to clean VOC- and MTBE-contaminated soil at a maintenance garage near a public high school, was unable to start the project because the untreated vapors exceeded the permitted levels of VOCs and MTBE in air. Application of a CAP-350 system to the existing SVE system achieved a destruction rate of 35 pounds BOD (biological oxygen demand) per day and allowed the contractor to start the cleanup.
Mold Control at Bakery
The owner of a bakery in Milford, New Jersey was seeking to reduce damage caused by mold to his bread products. After learning that the CAP technology is a natural technology, which biologically treats air pollution, the owner tried a CAP-90 in his bakery. Upon demonstrating the efficacy of CAP's ability to control mold in the bakery, the owner is satisfied that the CAP is continuously removing mold spores from the air and thus preventing product contamination.
Carbon Monoxide Control at Loading Dock
High levels of carbon monoxide are continuously destroyed by a CAP-350 at the 300,000 cu. ft. loading dock of the VA Medical Center in San Diego, California. Prior to placing the CAP at the loading dock, CO levels would routinely exceed acceptable limits. Employees at the loading dock would experience headaches, nausea, and dizziness. Continuous monitoring shows that, after installing the CAP-350 on the dock, CO emissions have been reduced to non-harmful levels and have not exceeded the limitations.
Nuisance Odors Eliminated at Food Processing and Flavor Manufacturing Plant
A flavor manufacturing and food processing facility in New Jersey uses oleoresins, aroma chemicals, and other ingredients to enhance the flavor, aroma, and color of natural raw products. These concentrated liquids and extracts contain volatile components to intensify the aroma. The intense aromas become obnoxious to workers who are immersed in their production on a day-to-day basis. Odors and odor issues became a problem. Three CAP-600s were set up at various locations and a CAP-2500 was set up in the transfer area, an extremely odiferous area. Based on the success of the technology, the company intends to place additional units at other trouble spots.
Odor Control at Scented Candle Making Plant
When neighbors complained of odors from a nearby scented candle-making plant, the owner was anxious to cultivate good public relations. A CAP-1250 was installed close to the assembly line, while several CAP-90s were placed in surrounding offices and filling areas. The CAP controls the odors at the assembly line area to such an extent that the owner now turns it off periodically so as not to eliminate the scented candle aroma.
IAQ Control in Clean Room
Two CAP-90s were tested to control contaminants and particulates in a clean room that was used to manufacture computer parts. The company had tried HEPA filters, which didn't work for them. The CAPs solved their problems, eliminating fumes from xylene, tetrahydrofuran (THF), and dimethylacetamide (DMA). The employees now describe the room as their clean, clean room.
Ammonia Controlled in Ink Manufacturing Process
A CAP-902X was installed inline with an ink mixer to control ammonia emissions. Pure ammonia comes into the ink manufacturing process at 1 million parts per million. The CAP-902X treats the fumes at the mixer discharge and reduces the ammonia emissions to below 50 ppm, a reduction in concentration of 99.99%.
Odor Control at MSW Recycling Facility
Two CAP-5000s control the odors at a municipal solid waste (MSW) recycling facility in New York. Each CAP-5000 has a nominal capacity to process 500 lbs of pollution per day. The CAPs were mounted inside the facility, 8 feet above the floor level in order to be out of the way of workers and trucks. Situated approximately 100 feet apart, the CAPs' radius of influence overlaps and creates a clean air zone. Additional smaller CAPs are set up in the offices for odor control. The reduction in odors was immediately apparent, which resulted in a reduction in neighbor's odor complaints. An added value is that the auto exhaust from the trucks is also eliminated.
Asthma Triggers and Chemical Sensitivity Controlled in Homes and Offices
CAPs are used in homes and offices to control air contaminants that can trigger asthma and allergy episodes, treat odors associated with cooking and pets, and eliminate emissions from cleaning products, appliances and office equipment that can exacerbate chemical sensitivity.
Industrial Emissions and Remediation Projects
CAPs have been added to manufacturing processes to control industrial emissions, odors, stack gases, and tank vents. Used in conjunction with soil vapor extraction systems (SVE), CAPs eliminate air emissions associated with the remediation process.
Alternative to Carbon
CAPs are used as an alternative to carbon for odor control and air emissions because the CAP's unique spiral cartridge design eliminates channeling that can occur with carbon. Unlike carbon, which traps pollutants like BETX, MTBE, and other hydrocarbons but becomes quickly saturated, CAPs continuously oxidize the pollutants into non-harmful products. Operating costs are lowered because CAPs do not have the high recurring costs associated with regenerating and replacing carbon. CAPs can also be used to regenerate the carbon for reuse.
Alternative to Thermal and Catalytic Oxidation
CAPs can replace incinerators to control industrial air emissions. Because CAPs operate at low temperatures and low pressures, the energy consumption and associated costs are dramatically lowered. CAPs also save on operating and maintenance costs as well as space requirements.
Water Cleaned at Photography Laboratory
A CWP™ Clean Water Plant cleans the water from the photo baths at a photography laboratory in New York City. Cleaning the photo bath water allows the owners to save approximately 2,300 gallons per day on water usage and greatly decreases silver contamination from entering the public sewer system.
Chemical Manufacturer Cleans Wastewater
A Newark, New Jersey chemical manufacturer's waste water did not meet the standards to be discharged in the local sewage system. The manufacturer collected the water and had it hauled to a disposal facility. After a CWP was installed to pretreat the wastewater, the company was able to discharge directly to the sewer system. The CWP was also used to treat the stored water so that it did not have to be hauled to a facility.
MTBE and Petroleum Hydrocarbons Cleaned
The CWP™ Clean Water Plant was field tested, along with several other technologies, for treatment of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) and petroleum hydrocarbons. Alisto Engineering Group was retained by a major international company to research and evaluate alternative technologies for treating MTBE and hydrocarbons in groundwater. The CWP was found to be the most efficient, cost-effective technology to treat MTBE. Other technologies tested included carbon adsorption, resin adsorption, advanced oxidation, acid treatment, and air stripping.
Contaminated Groundwater Treated at Wood Facility
The CWP was used to treat PAH contaminated groundwater at a wood treating facility in Gainsville, Florida. The target PAHs were naphthalene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene, pyrene, anthracene, acenaphthene, and acenaphthylene. Two subsurface CWPs were installed in a well to treat the groundwater in situ. Over a one-year period, approximately 65% of the 49 pounds of target PAHs were degraded, surpassing the project goals.
Chlorinated Solvents Treated at Superfund Site
A combination CWP/CAP system was used to treat off-gases containing VOCs and groundwater at the Sweden-3 Chapman Superfund site in Brockport, New York. The project's goal was a 50% reduction in contaminants. Treating the groundwater in-situ, two subsurface CWPs were installed in a well to treat chlorinated solvents such as TCE, 1,2 dichloroethane, toluene, acetone, MEK, and MIBK, while the CAP™ Clean Air Plant treated the VOC off-gases. Over an eleven-month period, approximately 80% of the 42 pounds of target compounds was degraded, which exceeded the project goal by 30%.
Pesticide Manufacturer's Waste Stream Treated
Due to stricter regulations, a pesticides manufacturer was required to pretreat by-products from their manufacturing waste stream. Using a combination bio-treatment system for air and water, two CWPs and one CAP treated toluene and organic-metallic compounds, pesticides, and other by-products from the waste stream to non-detect levels.
Landfill Leachate Cleaned
Six CWPs were used to treat landfill leachate at the Brea Olinda Landfill in Orange County, California. This 30 gpm capacity biotreatment system treated approximately 50 million gallons of volatile organics such as benzene, dichloroethane, methylene chloride, and trichloroethene.
Separation of Wet/Oily Solids at Steel Facility
The CleanSoil© washer system was evaluated on up to 100 tons/day of waste sludge from a major U.S. steel corporation for the recovery of iron product, water, and clean oil. This soil washer system incorporated a multi-stage, continuous countercurrent extractor for soils high in oil content, an oil and water stripper, and two distillation trains. Iron product was separated from the waste sludge for recycling, clean oil was collected for sale and reuse, solvent was recovered for recycling, and water was pre-treated for disposal.
Separation of Fuel Grade PAHs from Tar Pits
sgblue, inc. conducted several successful bench scale studies on tar pit samples that contained up to 500 ppm PAHs. Treatment with the CleanSoil© soil washing system produced carbonaceous solids, which tested excellent for fuel value; liquid PAH, which also tested excellent for fuel (similar to No. 2 fuel oil); and dirty water, which was cleaned with our CWP™ Clean Water Plant. The key advantage of this process is that it treats very wet waste, sludge, and soil. The process consists of three unit operations, which include pre-treatment, extraction, and fractionation.
Biological Treatment of Contaminated Groundwater
A residential property became contaminated when the basement was flooded with fuel oil-contaminated groundwater. The fumes and odors were infiltrating the entire house and making the space unlivable. A CAP-90 was placed in the basement to destroy the fumes at the source before they wafted up through the living quarters. A CWP-175 was placed in the basement at the sump to clean the groundwater prior to carbon filtration. Within three days, the odor was eliminated and the layer of oil on top of the water was visibly gone. The cleanup time was shortened drastically. Additional cost savings were realized because the CWP decreased the need for carbon replacement and decreased the need to vacuum truck the sump. The CAP eliminated the need for venting.
