Scrubber for small kilo reactor?

[an0r0v]

There is a possibility that our Lab may escalate making specialty organic chemicals to a pilot size 50-Gal reactor with rupture disk operating below 14 PSI. Does anyone know whether current environmental regulations would require a scrubber or containment system and if so, any idea as to what kind of scrubber system! Thank you

 

[m777182]

Environmental regulations are more or less localy specific. If you do not give us your coordinates it would be difficult to say something explicit. At my place I am as a process egineer the first one supposed to know the regulations in the very first stage of thinking about a new technology....even in case of proposing making diamonds in pure nitrogen.
m777182

 

[bimr]

In the example that you state, there are probably no current environmental regulations applicable.

However, you have not stated specifically what you are going to be doing or where you are doing it. There may be environmental regulations, OSHA, or zoning issues regarding the use and manufacture of specific chemicals. You may also have issues regarding the suitablity of using your existing structure (fire code, etc.) if that is what you are intending.

You should also run this question by your insurance underwriter.

 

[an0r0v]

Coordinates are New Jersey. I seem to recall EPA specifically stating that whenever chemicals are produced for comercial purposes and are on some list plus, exceed a treshhold amount, that one needs to report them. However, if a company or facility employs below some amount of employees, that there are certain excemtions. Thank you for your reply. The chemicals are mostly organic specialty, very small amounts and various EPA classifications which larger companies do not want to be bothered with and therefore subcontract or purchase from small mom-and-pop pilot lab operation shops.