TECHNOLOGY | ODOUR AND EMISSIONS
Markes International manufactures analytical equipment that extracts and detects chemicals in a variety of sample types (solid, liquid and gas) for manufacturers needing to comply with regulations on chemical emissions from construction materials used indoors, car trim and consumer goods. Its latest product development is a sampling device, the Micro-Chamber/Thermal Extractor (µ-CTE), which samples chemicals onto sorbent-packed tubes for subsequent analysis by thermal desorp- tion (TD) with GC-MS. The company says it is particularly attractive to plastics industry users because it allows quick, routine screening of raw materials/feedstocks - streamlining R&D and quality control processes. The µ-CTE requires minimal sample preparation and is simple to operate. The sample is placed inside one of the chambers, which can accommo- date four to six samples depending on the model, and the lid is closed. A flow of gas (air or nitrogen) is then applied and the temperature selected – from ambient up to 120°C or 250°C depending on the model of µ-CTE chosen. A sampling tube is attached to the outlet of each chamber and vapour from the sample is swept onto it. The sorbent packing can be optimised for the analytes of interest. Analysis of sorbent tubes for VOCs and SVOCs
Below: Erema’s ReFresher odour elimina- tion system integrated with an Intarema TVEplus recycling line
uses TD with GC–MS. Alternatively, for analysis of formaldehyde, vapours can be swept onto DNPH cartridges, which are analysed by HPLC. With three modes of operation, the µ-CTE can be used for a variety of investigations. Bulk emissions testing is useful for profiling odours and emissions and for testing of raw materials. Surface emissions testing is suitable for determining area-specific emission rates from flat samples, while permeation testing allows measurement of volatiles permeating through a thin layer of material.
Recycling ideas Post-consumer material, particularly household packaging waste, is considered to be difficult to recycle due to impurities and fluctuating degrees of contamination. These contaminants can cause unpleasant odours in the recyclate that severely limit the scope of end-use products. Minimising this negative effect is a key goal of recycling systems developers. Erema says its ReFresher technology eliminates odours caused by residues left on the plastic materials such as food scraps, cleaner/detergent residues and cosmetics as well as contaminants such as wood and paper. Designed for operation in combination with the company’s proven Intarema TVEplus technology, the ReFresher is integrated downstream of the extrusion process and main- tains the recyclate at the appropriate temperature top allow volatile materials can be discharged. ReFresher systems are claimed to produce filtrat-
ed, degassed and odourless recyclate even when handling highly contaminated packaging waste. In conventional processing, for example, cellulose from wood or paper in the feed can burn during processing and transfer an unpleasant smell to the final plastic. The combination of pre-conditioning unit, Airflush technology, low melt temperature, efficient filtration and several degassing steps ensures that cellulose particles and breakdown products are removed from the plastic. Erema has a mobile ReFresher system available for on-site trials. Meanwhile, Starlinger has developed a three-
step procedure – material preparation, degassing, and post-treatment – for its plastics recycling lines that it claims can eliminate even deeply embedded odours. Material is prepared in a SMART feeder that heats and homogenises it to the ideal operating point to allow highly volatile odours to be extracted before the extruder. Then a C-VAC degassing module positioned after the extruder increases the melt surface by 300% to enable efficient removal of deeply embedded odours. Finally an odour extraction unit at the end of the process deals with any remaining persistent odours.
CLICK ON THE LINKS FOR MORE INFORMATION: �
www.gabriel-chemie.com �
www.clariant.com �
www.ivv.fraunhofer.de �
www.imerys.com �
www.zeochem.ch �
www.aimplas.net �
www.markes.com �
www.erema.com �
www.starlinger.com
https://www.ivv.fraunhofer.de/en/leistungsangebote/produktwirkung.html www.compoundingworld.com
PHOTO: EREMA
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