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Q&As since 1989
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Paint detackification odor
Q. My solvent borne paint detackification systems always smells so bad due to bacteria. My chemical rep says this is normal but employees complain. Is there a better way to do this?
Ed Petermann- Cambridge, Ontario, Canada
2003
A. There are several ways of eliminating the solvent/bacterial smell from solvent borne paint pits. The easiest method is a combination of biocides that knock down the bacterial concentration to a manageable level. The response from your supplier is not accurate but does take some effort.
Ian Bain- Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
2005
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A.
- Make sure to have good paint kill and good sludge removal through detackifier & flocculent. Keep water clean and clear (Turbidity < 100 NTU and suspended solids < 100 ppm).
- Mechanically, should routinely aerate the system to minimize sludge stagnancy that tends to increase the anaerobic bacteria growth; aerate to reduce the concentration of hydrogen sulfide (rotten egg smell). Be sure to have good ventilation. High frequency of aeration helps to reduce the usage of biocides.
- One of the biocides such as 35% hydrogen peroxide, or 1.5% Kathon or chlorine could be used to kill the bugs. Handle biocides with care (MSDS reference).
- Do bacteria culture through dip slide.
- If bacteria count > 10^6, shock (add) 1,000 ppm (or 0.1% of system volume)of the biocide above to the pit water.
- Maintain the bacteria level < 10^3. Weekly maintenance dose is 100 ppm (or 0.01% of system volume) of biocide.
- Please note that the cost of using biocide usage sometimes is more than the cost of detackification chemicals. But it is worth it in terms of safety & health.
- Michigan
A. There are now bacterial additives to eliminate the odors associated with paint pits.
Ian Bain- Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
2005
A. You need to survey the biological growth in the system first. there would be most probably SRB (one the most popular anaerobic Bacteria) that cause odor Problems.
The best control is to prevent and inhibit the microbiological growth in the make up water, paint additive, environment and especially use a nonoxidizing biocide such as Nalco 7330.
- Dubai , D , UAE
2007
A. Bad smell in the paint shop booth may be a normal thing, but there are ways to eliminate the unpleasant odor. Atotech KleerAid has range of products to deal with the problems like this and more. It is will not only remove bad smell but it also detackify the paint from water effectively.
Shahab Shakeel- Noida, India
July 17, 2008
Q. We experience odor issues/complaints in our plant off and on. Sometimes very annoying smell, causing few employees reporting sick or throat irritation, etc.
We have one solvent based paint line and one powder line which was converted from a liquid line to powder line. We did lots air testing but all the results are well below the OSHA and other regulatory limits.
Can someone from their experience or if experienced similar issue can share some knowledge or information that can be used to reduce or eliminate the odor issue in the plant?
- Holland Landing, Ontario, Canada
March 8, 2013
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