Effective Cfc/Hcfc Recovery System in Rigid Foam Manufacturing

Abstract

CFC cost has changed from the industry's least expensive chemical to one of its most expensive chemicals. Governments have added CFCs to their lists of hazardous chemicals requiring public notification of release/use amounts. In an attempt to control the amount of release of CFCs (CFC-11) during the manufacture of rigid foam, a survey was conducted to determine the most effective point to capture vapors. Equipment was designed in such a way as to concentrate CFC vapors and deliver them to a specific location. Once concentrated and delivered the vapors are then separated from the air stream via carbon absorption equipment and 80% of the air stream is returned to the source. The balance is used to cool the desorbing bed.The return air stream is monitored for CFC-11 concentration and automatically switches carbon beds once the active bed exceeds a preset concentration.Desorbed CFC-11 is collected and added to the next B side batch upon demand.The