Permanent Total Enclosures | Fugitive Emission Control
DEC.PTE™
Permanent Total Enclosures are complete enclosures that permanently surround equipment used in flexible packaging production processes (such as rotogravure printing, flexographic printing, lamination, etc.). These enclosures act as a barrier, preventing VOCs from diffusing into the surrounding environment (fugitive emissions). Instead, they are captured and directed to a VOC emission control system (e.g. a solvent recovery unit, or a thermal oxidizer).
DEC.PTE™ • benefits
The implementation of DEC.PTE™ offers a multitude of benefits for both the industry and the environment:
- Significant VOC Reduction: PTEs are highly effective at capturing and containing VOC fugitive emissions, leading to a substantial decrease in the amount of these pollutants released into the atmosphere;
- Regulatory Compliance: as environmental regulations tighten, PTEs help flexible packaging companies meet and exceed fugitive emissions standards, avoiding potential fines and legal issues;
- Improved Air Quality: by reducing VOC emissions, PTEs contribute to cleaner air and a healthier environment for both workers and surrounding communities;
- Resource Recovery: when paired with Solvent Recovery Unit, PTEs enable the capture and reuse of valuable solvents, lowering production costs;
- Enhanced Workplace Safety: Enclosing equipment can help contain potential hazards, leading to a safer work environment.
Permanent Total Enclosures represent a major step forward in the flexible packaging industry's journey towards sustainability. As the technology continues to evolve and become more cost-effective, it is expected to become an increasingly standard practice in the industry. By embracing PTEs, companies can not only reduce their environmental impact but also enhance their reputation and contribute to a cleaner, healthier future.
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FAQs • Frequently Asked Questions
Permanent Total Enclosures for Fugitive Emission Control • DEC.PTE™
What is a DEC.PTE™ Permanent Total Enclosure?
A DEC.PTE™ is a complete, permanent enclosure built around equipment used in flexible packaging production, such as rotogravure printing, flexographic printing, or lamination lines. It acts as a physical barrier that stops VOCs from diffusing into the surrounding environment as fugitive emissions, instead capturing them and routing them to a VOC emission control system.
Why do flexible packaging producers need a total enclosure instead of local hoods or partial capture?
Partial or open-hood capture around printing and laminating equipment typically lets a portion of solvent vapor escape as fugitive emissions. A permanent total enclosure surrounds the equipment completely, so essentially all of the VOCs generated are captured and directed downstream, which is what allows a plant to reliably meet fugitive-emission compliance limits rather than just reduce them.
What happens to the VOCs captured by a DEC.PTE™?
The captured, solvent-laden air is ducted out of the enclosure to a downstream VOC emission control system. Depending on the solvents involved and whether recovery is economically attractive, this is typically a solvent recovery unit (which lets the solvent be recovered and reused) or a thermal oxidizer (which destroys the VOCs).
What are the main benefits of installing a DEC.PTE™?
A properly designed total enclosure delivers a significant reduction in VOC emissions, helps a plant meet and exceed fugitive-emission regulations, improves air quality for workers and surrounding communities, and — when paired with a solvent recovery unit — allows valuable solvents to be recovered and reused, lowering production costs. Enclosing the equipment can also improve workplace safety by containing other hazards at the source.
How do I get a DEC.PTE™ system sized and quoted for my line?
Because every enclosure is engineered around the specific printing or laminating equipment it surrounds and the VOC control system it feeds, DEC's Technical Sales & Applications engineering team reviews your process details and emission requirements to design and quote a system for your specific installation. Use the contact link above to start that conversation.
