Wood Processing

The wood processing industry uses wood to manufacture a number of products and materials, including plywood, particle board, oriented strandboard (OSB), and medium density fiberboard (MDF). The industry uses various types of dryers to control the water content of the wood products.  Wood dryers are regulated for the following air emissions: PM-10, PM-2.5, and volatile organic carbons (VOC).  The workhorse equipment for controlling these emissions in the wood industry are wet electrostatic precipitators (WESP) and regenerative thermal oxidizers (RTO).

Flue gases exiting dryers contain sticky condensible hydrocarbon particulates released from the wood in the dryer.  If left untreated, the particulate fouls downstream VOC abatement equipment.  In particular, condensibles represents a major control challenge.  Condensible form sub-micron particulate when cooled, contributing to opacity and PM-10 and PM-2.5 emissions.  WESPs are very efficient at capturing sub-micron particulate, and are foul-resistant since its collecting tubes are constantly wet.

Envitech is a leading supplier of wet electrostatic precipitators and has 25 years of experience reducing the emissions from wood dryers. 

NESHAP MACT Standard: Plywood and Composite Wood Products, subpart DDDD

Exhaust Sources:

• Wood Dryers

Pollutants:

• Particulate: (PM)
• Volatile Organic Carbons (VOC)

Equipment:

• Wet Electrostatic Precipitators (WESP)