Glymes are very powerful solvents. This means not only that they dissolve or mix with most of the organic solvents. It also means that they are very strong absorption liquids for many volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Glycol diethers have high thermal and chemical stability which predestinates them for use as absorption liquids even with aggressive chemicals.
Clariant has developed a range of Genosorb® absorption liquids. These products are based on glycol diethers and they are used as absorption liquids for gaseous organic compounds. A waste gas stream containing VOCs is passed through an absorption tower containing Genosorb. All organic compounds are dissolved in Genosorb. This rich Genosorb solution is then transferred to a desorber column. In the desorber all organic solvents are stripped off the rich Genosorb solution at elevated temperature and / or vacuum conditions. After condensation, the pollutants may be reused or disposed. For the absorption of volatile organic solvents the products Genosorb 300 (absorption of polar compounds) and Genosorb 1843 (absorption of non-polar compounds) are used. | Explanation of the Genosorb process, click for larger version |