The Anotec Technical Paper on Environmental Odour Control for Foundries discusses a scientific and phased approach to mitigating odorous emissions and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) from iron casting foundries.

Summary of Anotec Technical Paper: Environmental Odour Control for Foundries

The paper, presented by Victoria Zavras at the 33rd National Foundry Conference, addresses the significant environmental challenge of odours and VOC emissions from foundry operations, particularly from sand handling and core room processes.

1. Anotec's Odour Control Technology

• Scientific Approach: Anotec's product is a surfactant-induced absorption technology, which is a "cleaner more scientific approach" compared to traditional methods.
• Not a Masking Agent: The paper strongly emphasizes that the Anotec product is not a masking agent (like those based on essential oils), but rather a treatment that results in a reduction of the odorous components, confirmed by GC/MS analysis.
• Effectiveness: The process has been shown to remove up to 95% of foundry odours.
• Cost-Effective: The company adopted the BATNEEC Policy (Best Available Technology Not Entailing Excessive Costs) to ensure their solutions are effective, efficient, and economical.

2. Odour Assessment and Sampling

• Systematic Management: Effective odour management requires a systematic method for assessment and sampling, which Anotec typically conducts using a combination of analytical instrument approach and perceptual response method.
• Chemical Fingerprinting: Anotec's strong recommendation is to trial a formulation developed based on the chemical fingerprinting of odour samples collected at each specific foundry. This ensures the treatment is tailored to the complex odorous mixture present.
• Odour Sources: Potential odour sources are identified across all major production operations, including raw material handling, metal melting, mould & core production, and casting and finishing. The most significant source is often the cooling down of casts after pouring.
• Sampling Challenges: The paper highlights the importance of proper air sample collection, noting that the physical and chemical properties of the odorant (e.g., polarity, volatility, boiling point) must be considered to prevent errors like condensation or adsorption during sampling.

3. Mitigation Strategy

• Targeted Treatment: The paper introduces the implementation of an Anotec odour control formulation to be used with a suitable device to assist in controlling emissions from the pouring process in a cost-effective and efficient manner.
• Fugitive Emissions Control: For fugitive emissions, such as those from the cooling down of the casting stage, the paper suggests that emissions should be controlled by evacuation through a retrofitted capture hood using a suppression technique like an Anotec misting system/gas cleaner. The basic concept is to prevent the formation of pollutants by excluding ambient air contact with the molten surfaces.

In essence, the paper promotes Anotec's scientifically-backed, non-masking, and site-specific approach to odour control in the foundry industry, focusing on identifying and treating the chemical components responsible for the malodours.