Treatment of Industrial VOCs by Membrane Separation Technology

Membrane separation technology is an effective VOCs treatment technology. Its working principle is to rely on membrane materials with selective permeability to separate VOCs from other gas components under certain driving forces (such as pressure difference, concentration difference, etc.). For some VOCs with recycling value, they can be separated from the waste gas for recycling and reuse through membrane separation technology; for those VOCs that need to be removed, they can also be separated from the purified gas with the help of this technology, thereby achieving the purpose of reducing the VOCs content in the waste gas, reducing emissions, and improving the ambient air quality.

The advantages of membrane separation technology are: it can efficiently recover VOCs components; it can be integrated with other technologies to achieve better separation and recovery effects; and the process is relatively simple.

Its disadvantages are: high membrane cost, membrane pollution will reduce separation performance and service life; the stability of the membrane is limited, the flux is small, the requirements for the intake air are high, and the exhaust gas needs to be pre-treated to remove impurities such as particulate matter and moisture.

Which industries' VOCs are suitable for treatment using membrane separation technology? Let's take a look together:

I. Petroleum and petrochemical industry

A large amount of waste gas containing VOCs is generated during the petroleum refining process, such as waste gas emitted by catalytic cracking, delayed coking and other devices, with relatively high VOCs concentration. The use of membrane separation technology can effectively recover valuable components such as hydrocarbons, realize the recycling of resources, and reduce waste gas emissions. VOCs waste gas generated during the production of petrochemical products, such as the production of synthetic resins such as polyethylene and polypropylene, and the production of chemical raw materials such as benzene, toluene, and xylene, is also suitable for treatment with membrane separation technology to reduce emissions and recover organic solvents.

II. Printing and packaging industry

The inks, solvents, etc. used in the printing process will evaporate and produce a large amount of VOCs waste gas. For example, in processes such as gravure printing and flexographic printing, the concentration of organic solvents in these waste gases is relatively high. Membrane separation technology can be used to separate organic solvents from the waste gas for recycling and reuse, thereby reducing production costs and reducing pollution to the environment.

III. Pharmaceutical industry

In the process of drug production, chemical synthesis, fermentation, extraction and other process links will produce VOCs waste gas containing organic solvents, volatile drug components, etc. The components in these waste gases are often of high value. The use of membrane separation technology can effectively recover the useful substances in them and achieve standard emission of waste gases.

IV. Rubber and plastic products industry

VOCs-containing waste gas is generated during the vulcanization of rubber and the production and processing of plastic products. It contains a variety of organic compounds, such as hydrocarbons, aldehydes, ketones, etc. Membrane separation technology can be used to recover these organic substances, improve resource utilization, and reduce the impact on the environment.

V. Electronics Industry

In the process of electronic component manufacturing, such as semiconductor chip manufacturing and circuit board printing, a large amount of organic solvents are used. The VOCs waste gas formed after the volatilization of these organic solvents can be treated through membrane separation technology to achieve the recovery of organic solvents and purification of waste gas, thereby reducing harm to the environment.