The goal of this project was to reduce the gas consumption of a regenerative thermal oxidizer at Saint-Gobain Abrasives in Conflans-Sainte-Honorine, France. Most resins used in production contain phenol and formaldehyde. Fumes produced during operation contain these volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and are burned in the oxidizer before being released into the environment, respecting legal concentration limits. Natural gas is used to burn the exhaust. To achieve a gas cost and consumption reduction, we suggest reducing the combustion chamber temperature, operating the oxidizer only when phenolic resin is being used, and concentrating the VOCs entering the oxidizer. This report includes information about some volatile organic compounds and about abrasive material production.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Downer, Ashley Elizabeth

Subject

• Energy
• Environment
• Well-Being
• Industry

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-031715-115327

Keyword

• Air--Pollution

Advisor

• Yagoobi, Jamal

Year

• 2015

Sponsor

• Saint-Gobain Abrasives

Date created

• 2015-03-17

Location

• Conflans-Sainte-Honorine

Resource type

• Interactive Qualifying Project

Rights statement

• In Copyright