Oct 22 2008
When you think about generating electricity from wind, clean energy comes to mind. However, the wind turbine production process can be a major source of air pollution without the proper controls in place.
Manufacturing and painting the blades, towers and nacelles requires composite construction material and solvent based coatings. The potential to emit Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs) such as Xylene, Ethyl Benzene, Styrene and Phenol into the atmosphere is a major concern for communities and regulatory agencies.
One of the world’s largest turbine manufacturers is doing their part to keep wind power a truly clean source of energy. With the expansion of several new production lines, the company enlisted help from Anguil Environmental Systems to ensure proper air pollution control from their component painting processes in the Northeast region of The United States.
Approximately 40,000 SCFM of solvent-laden air will be diverted from multiple paint booths to an Anguil Regenerative Thermal Oxidizer which will destroy over 99% of the air pollutants. This system will incorporate pre-filters to stop overspray from plugging the oxidizer. Designed for 95% thermal efficiency, the Anguil RTO can self-sustain at low concentration-levels which reduces the need for auxiliary fuel.
Demand for renewable energy is on the rise and experts predict that 70 to 80 new wind turbine blade factories could come online throughout the world in the next 10 years. With multiple systems on applications such as this, Anguil’s experience makes them the preferred vendor for emission control systems in the wind turbine market.