The handling of contaminated fume streams is generally a troublesome
task for many production facilities. New fume streams are being
added to the existing fume collection systems to comply with new
EPA regulations. The composition of the new vent stream is not
always known. This new stream may be flammable or inert.
Yesterday's practice of venting the tank and process reactor to
the atmosphere is being phased out. Today, many processes must
treat the process and tank vents to remove the organic component.
Many of these streams also contain condensable materials. The
vent system requires a careful review to assure that it is operating
in a safe reliable manner.
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 Therm-A-Cor
has reviewed, analyzed and designed fume collection and
handling systems. Therm-A-Cor provides the experience to
evaluate the current method of handling the fumes. Detailed
evaluation of the current operational system is performed
to determine the actual system requirement. The fumes handled
by the process piping may be corrosive, wet, hot or just
simple odor control. The safe handling of the fumes requires
that the source of the fumes be reviewed to determine the
maximum and minimum flows. Specifications for new equipment
will be generated if the current equipment is not safe or
reliable.
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 Fume
streams that contain organic material have the potential,
under some operational conditions, to be combustible.
The LEL and oxygen level of every vent stream must be examined
under all possible operational conditions to assure that
potentially dangerous conditions do not exist. If the conditions
can not be modified in the vent line, then safety measures
must be implemented to reduce the propagation of any flame
that develops in the vent system.
The
final treatment of the fume stream requires that all of
the potential extremes of the stream be handled in a safe
and reliable manner. Therm-A-Cor has reviewed the existing
control systems to verify that they can properly handle
the fumes in a safe and reliable manner.
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