Treatment of VOCs in the packaging and printing industry using combustion methods

Thread Content

In the flexible packaging printing industry, addressing VOCs remains a key focus. Over the past year of 2015, many companies began to work on reducing VOCs, and some progress has already been achieved. There are also various approaches to handling this issue: some companies use recycling methods that require significant equipment investment and high operating costs, while others employ the most straightforward burning method; there are also those that opt for source control and clean production techniques, among others. Different methods yield different results; according to industry statistics, over 46% of enterprises use the combustion method. Combustion methods include direct combustion, regenerative direct combustion, catalytic combustion, and regenerative catalytic combustion. The temperature during direct combustion is around 700°C, and continuous processing requires a high concentration of VOCs in the exhaust gases, a condition that printing processes generally find difficult to meet. Regenerative direct combustion uses direct heat exchange to store the heat from combustion exhaust gases in a regenerator; the high-temperature regenerator then directly heats the waste gases to be treated, resulting in excellent energy-saving effects. Catalytic combustion is a method in which exhaust gas is passed through a catalyst bed, and under the action of the catalyst, the organic pollutants in the exhaust gas are burned to remove them. Due to the presence of a catalyst, the ignition temperature for catalytic combustion is around 250–300°C; the energy consumption is much lower than that of direct combustion, and it is also easier to implement. The main sources of VOC emissions in the packaging printing industry include printing, printing drying, lamination, and cleaning processes. The Qi Athen biomass hot air furnace is a thermal energy device that integrates functions such as combustion, heat exchange, dust removal, air circulation, and exhaust. The temperature released can exceed 250°C. When used in packaging printing drying, it can directly burn waste gases, thereby achieving better energy efficiency.