Method for controlling unpleasant odors

Abstract

In a method for controlling unpleasant odors in discharge air from containers, rooms or plants in which strong smelling substances such as feces, waste or highly odorous foods are stored or processed, a fluid is introduced into the discharge air in a finely distributed form, which physically and/or chemically neutralizes the odor of the substances contained in the discharge air. The fluid is a 0.1% to 8% aqueous solution of an active substance concentrate which is 55-65 wt.-% triethylcitrate, 17.5 to 22.5 wt.-% 1,2 propanediol and 17.5 to 22 wt.- % di-propylene glycol-methylether. Alternatively, the fluid can also be a mixture of a suitable propellant gas mixture and the active substance concentrate specified above.

Claims

1. A method for controlling foul odors in exhaust air from containers, rooms or plants in which a substance having an odor is kept or processed, by introducing an active ingredient in finely divided form into the exhaust air, which physically and/or chemically neutralizes the odor of the substance present in the exhaust air, wherein the active ingredient is a concentrate which consists of 55-65 wt % of triethyl citrate, 17.5-22.5 wt % of 1,2-propanediol and 17.5-22.5 wt % of di-propylene glycol methyl ether.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the active ingredient concentrate is diluted with water to a 0.1% to 8% aqueous solution and is sprayed into the exhaust air as a finely divided mist.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein 0.1 to 8 wt % of the active ingredient concentrate is introduced into a propellant gas mixture, which comprises 55-80 wt % of butane, 15-40 wt % of propane and 1-25 wt % of isobutane, and is sprayed with the help of this propellant mixture into the outgoing air.

Description

EXAMPLE 1

(1) In the hall of a waste sorting plant for light packaging waste (LPW sorting plant), a finely divided mist consisting of 2.5 wt. % triethyl citrate, 1.25 wt. % propanediol, 1.25 wt. % dipropylene glycol methyl ether and 95 wt. % water was sprayed using fans and dual nozzles. This measure enabled the foul odors to be eliminated down to the perception threshold. The spraying devices here were arranged in a targeted manner in the region of the hall doors, which had to remain open continuously because of the constant traffic. As a result of this targeted arrangement of the odor elimination arrangement in the region of the hall doors, an effective odor barrier was achieved so that nearby residents were no longer disturbed by the foul odors from this LPW sorting plant

EXAMPLE 2

(2) In the region of a largely open-air loading facility for asphalt at an asphalt mixing plant, spraying devices were installed in the region of the loading flaps, by which a fine mist consisting of 1 wt. % triethyl citrate, 0.5 wt. % propanediol, 0.5 wt. %

(3) dipropylene glycol methyl ether and 98 wt. % water was sprayed into the exhaust air that formed during the loading operation. Despite the very low content of active ingredient in the fluid here, this measure enabled almost complete elimination of the asphalt odor to be achieved.

EXAMPLE 3

(4) In households with domestic pets, to eliminate foul odors, spray cans were employed from which a mixture of propellant gas and active ingredient concentrate according to the invention was sprayed in finely divided form into the air of the odorous rooms. Here too, almost complete elimination of the foul odors was obtained.