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Hybrid Sorption Unit
♻️ DEC.HSU™ ♻️

optimizing Air Pollution Control for Complex Industrial Emissions

The management of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in large scale industrial processes requires a balance between technical efficiency and operational costs; the DEC.HSUHybrid Sorption Unit represents a modular smart and sophisticated configuration engineered by DEC to address these challenges. This hybrid system integrates an advanced Rotary Bed Concentrator (DEC.XBC_RBC™) with an Activated Carbon (DEC.ACA™) Solvent Recovery Unit (SRU™), coupling the use of Honeycomb Coated Adsorbent (DEC.HCA™) and Activated Carbon (DEC.ACA™) to provide a comprehensive solution for diverse VOC emission profiles.


DEC.HSU™ Hybrid Sorption Unit — RBC and SRU combined configuration


at a glance • DEC.HSU™
Configuration
Rotary Bed Concentrator (DEC.XBC_RBC™) installed upstream of a Solvent Recovery Unit (SRU™)
Primary use
VOC abatement across mixed high-flow, low-concentration streams and medium-high concentration process streams
Routing threshold
< 1,5 g/m³ → DEC.XBC_RBC™ concentration stage · > 1,5 g/m³ → direct to SRU™
Recovery rate
Up to 99% solvent recovery for direct reuse
Best fit
Flexible packaging, printing & converting plants mixing modern and legacy machinery

Technical Configuration and Process Flow • DEC.HSU™ (Hybrid Sorption Unit)

The core logic of the DEC.HSU™ involves the intelligent segregation of gas streams based on their solvent concentration. In many converting and industrial printing facilities, emission sources are not uniform; the hybrid unit processes these streams through two distinct paths.

Stream routing logic • DEC.HSU™
Stream typeTypical concentrationRoutingWhat happens
Low-concentration streams < 1,5 g/m³ (fugitives, exhaust from older machinery) Upstream DEC.XBC_RBC™ External concentration onto a rotating adsorbent bed, desorbed into a much smaller, highly concentrated flow
Medium–high concentration streams > 1,5 g/m³ (process streams) Direct to SRU™ Bypasses the concentrator; routed straight to activated-carbon adsorption to maximize recovery efficiency

Integrated Emission Point: to simplify environmental monitoring and reduce infrastructure costs, the Flue Gas Stack (FGS) of the DEC.XBC_RBC™ can be merged with the FGS of the SRU™; this allows the Customer to maintain a single emission point for the entire Air Pollution Control plant.

Hybrid Process Flow, Step by Step • DEC.HSU™ (Hybrid Sorption Unit)

1
Stream Segregation
Gas streams are segregated based on solvent concentration; low concentration streams are directed to the DEC.XBC_RBC™ while high concentration streams move directly to the SRU™.
2
External Concentration via DEC.XBC_RBC™
The Rotary Bed Concentrator captures VOCs from large air volumes onto a rotating adsorbent bed and desorbs them into a small, highly concentrated flow for efficient recovery.
3
Adsorption in SRU™
Concentrated solvent laden air passes through a bed of activated carbon (DEC.ACA™); the carbon adsorbs the VOCs to clean the exhaust air before discharge.
4
Regeneration and Desorption
The saturated activated carbon bed is regenerated using specialized DEC processes to release the captured solvent vapors.
5
Condensation and Separation
The desorbed solvent vapor is channeled into a condensation system where it is cooled into liquid form and separated from the regenerating medium.
6
Solvent Reuse
The recovered solvent is collected for direct reuse in the manufacturing process, reducing raw material costs and minimizing environmental waste.

Management of Fugitives and Legacy Equipment • DEC.HSU™ (Hybrid Sorption Unit)

A significant advantage of the DEC.HSU™ is its ability to treat "fugitives" and non-concentrated exhaust from older converting lines. These streams are typically characterized by high flow rates (SLA - Solvent Laden Air) but very low VOC concentrations, which makes direct treatment in an SRU™ energetically inefficient.

By utilizing the DEC.XBC_RBC™ (rotor) as an external concentration step, the Customer may evaluate to avoid the need to retrofit individual machines with Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) automatic Flow Recirculation Systems (DEC.FRS™). Retrofitting old production lines with LEL controls often requires extensive line shutdowns and complex mechanical modifications; the DEC.HSU™ provides a "bolt-on" solution that treats the combined exhaust, without interrupting the production schedule of the individual machines.

Key Advantages of the technology • DEC.HSU™ (Hybrid Sorption Unit)

The implementation of a hybrid sorption strategy offers several proven benefits for the Customer.

CAPEX
Reduced Capital Expenditure
By concentrating the low VOC streams before they reach the SRU™, the recovery unit can be sized for a smaller, more concentrated flow rather than the total plant air volume.
OPEX
Operational Efficiency
The system reduces the energy consumption required for solvent recovery, as the SRU™ operates under optimal thermodynamic conditions.
Uptime
Minimal Production Downtime
As an external solution, the installation and commissioning of the DEC.HSU™ do not require the long-term stoppage of existing production lines.
Compliance
Regulatory Compliance
A referenced and proven technology that ensures strict adherence to international emission limits while providing a single, manageable discharge point.

Proven Reliability and Industry References • DEC.HSU™ (Hybrid Sorption Unit)

DEC is the major global player in sustainable Air Pollution Control (APC) systems. The DEC.HSU™ is a field-tested configuration with numerous successful references across the globe. Whether dealing with a Solvent Recovery Unit (SRU™), a Thermal Oxidizer (XTO™), a Rotary Bed Concentrator (DEC.XBC_RBC™), the technical expertise of DEC ensures that our Customer receives a reliable and high-performance system.

contact DEC • DEC.HSU™ (Hybrid Sorption Unit)

If you are looking for a reliable and efficient industrial VOC abatement system, the Hybrid Sorption Unit (DEC.HSU™) is the right and best option: DEC offers the most advanced and reliable sustainable emission control systems on the market, with processes, configurations and options to meet the needs of different applications, present and future challenges.

Feel free to contact DEC: we can help you assess your needs and recommend the best Air Pollution Control technology for your operation.

DEC's economic, environmental, and social sustainability commitment

Solvent Recovery (DEC.SRU™) • case studies

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hybrid sorption, explained

FAQs • Frequently Asked Questions

Hybrid Sorption Unit: optimizing Air Pollution Control for Complex Industrial Emissions ♻️ DEC.HSU™

What is the DEC.HSU™ Hybrid Sorption Unit and how does it work?

The DEC.HSU™ (Hybrid Sorption Unit) is an advanced Air Pollution Control (APC) configuration where a Rotary Bed Concentrator (RBC) is installed upstream of a Solvent Recovery Unit (SRU). This system is designed to manage complex emission profiles; the RBC handles high flow, low VOC concentrated streams (such as fugitives or exhaust from legacy converting lines), concentrating them before they enter the SRU. High concentrate streams are routed directly to the SRU for effective treatment and solvent recovery.

What are the primary advantages of the DEC.HSU™ hybrid configuration?

Key advantages include optimized CAPEX and OPEX by sizing the SRU for concentrated loads rather than total air volume. The DEC.HSU™ allows for a single emission point by merging the Flue Gas Stacks (FGS) of the RBC and SRU. Furthermore, it acts as an external concentration device, allowing the BUYER to treat emissions from older machines without the need for expensive and time-consuming retrofits of LEL automatic recirculation systems.

How does the DEC.HSU™ handle fugitive emissions and legacy converting lines?

Fugitive emissions and exhaust from older production lines often consist of high flow rates with low VOC concentrations. The DEC.HSU™ utilizes the RBC to capture these dilute solvents and desorb them into a smaller, concentrated stream. This approach eliminates the need for extensive line shutdowns typically required for installing internal LEL controls, providing a seamless solution for the Customer.

What different technologies does DEC offer within the HSU and SRU frameworks?

DEC provides a variety of proprietary processes for the SRU component of the HSU, including:

  • DEC.SRU_RSG™: TSA with nitrogen (N2) regeneration.
  • DEC.SRU_RSV™: TSA with steam (H2O) regeneration.
  • DEC.SRU_RTV™: T+VSA with vacuum nitrogen regeneration.
  • DEC.XBC_RBC™: The Rotary Bed Concentrator used as the primary stage in the HSU configuration.
How does the DEC.HSU™ support environmental compliance and circular economy?

By integrating the RBC and SRU, the DEC.HSU™ ensures that even dilute fugitive emissions are captured and recovered rather than exhausted or destroyed. This achieves recovery rates up to 99%, allowing the BUYER to reuse solvents directly. This configuration minimizes the carbon footprint of the plant and supports the transition to a circular economic model by transforming lean waste air into a source of reusable raw materials.

Which industries benefit most from the DEC.HSU™ configuration?

The DEC.HSU™ is particularly beneficial for the flexible packaging, printing, and converting industries, especially facilities operating a mix of modern high speed lines and older machinery. It is the ideal solution for plants where fugitive emission control is mandatory and where minimizing production downtime during APC installation is a priority for the Customer.

Is pricing available for the DEC.HSU™ Hybrid Sorption Unit, and can it be purchased directly?

The DEC.HSU™ is a custom-engineered system, not an off-the-shelf product, so there is no fixed list price. Each configuration is sized and priced individually once DEC's engineering team has evaluated the Customer's stream flow rates, VOC concentrations, and process requirements. To receive a project-specific quotation, contact DEC's Technical Sales & Applications team directly.

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