Francesco Nardi
Evaluation of best technologies for the removal of unwanted elements in an industrial air flow.
Rel. Vincenzo Andrea Riggio, Daniele Martinelli. Politecnico di Torino, Corso di laurea magistrale in Ingegneria Per L'Ambiente E Il Territorio, 2025
Abstract
This thesis addresses the challenge of controlling Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) emitted from wastewater treatment processes at the Villastellone facility of the Marazzato Group. The current abatement strategy, based on low-temperature thermal oxidation, entails high fuel consumption and limited efficiency, highlighting the need for more sustainable solutions. To this end, a pilot-scale unit was designed and tested, based on activated carbon adsorption with in situ steam regeneration and subsequent post-combustion of desorbed VOCs. The research pursued three main objectives: (i) to characterize the adsorption performance of the carbon bed through breakthrough curves, mass-transfer zone analysis and regeneration efficiency; (ii) to perform a multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA), comparing the pilot system with established alternatives – regenerative thermal oxidizers (RTOs), wet scrubbers and catalytic oxidizers – using AHP and TOPSIS methodologies across technical, economic, environmental and operational criteria; (iii) to carry out an occupational risk assessment according to the DVR framework, identifying major hazards (thermal, chemical, explosion/fire, electrical, mechanical) and defining mitigation measures and standard operating procedures.
Experimental results demonstrated VOC removal efficiencies above 98% and recovery of 80–90% of the carbon’s adsorption capacity after each regeneration cycle
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