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Active Contributor

Join Date: Jul 2006
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Filtering toxic fumes from burnt plastic

12/03/2008 4:41 AM

Hi,

can a hepa filter system sufficiently filter out the toxic fumes emitted by burning plastic?

Please advise other methods. tnx

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Guru

Join Date: Jul 2007
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#1

Re: Filtering toxic fumes from burnt plastic

12/03/2008 7:48 AM

NO!

The "P" in HEPA stands for particulate. They're good for dust and pollen; they are not intended for fumes, particularly poisonous ones.

You need a Scott Air-Pak (or equivalent) plus eye protection. You also need the advice of an industrial toxicologist if you are burning plastic.

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Commentator

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#2

Re: Filtering toxic fumes from burnt plastic

12/03/2008 10:57 PM

I planning to built my own air scrubber for this purpose. I think the hepa filter is effective but more costly.

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Guru

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#3
In reply to #2

Re: Filtering toxic fumes from burnt plastic

12/04/2008 7:31 AM

No, the HEPA filter is not effective. If you are even remotely considering this, at least ask a fireman what they use to go into fires where there are plastics. read about airplane fires. Go to the OSHA website. But, don't breathe that crap, please?

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"Well, I've wrestled with reality for 35 years, Doctor, and I'm happy to state I finally won out over it." Elwood P. Dowd
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#4

Re: Filtering toxic fumes from burnt plastic

12/04/2008 8:53 AM

I suggest a Donaldson Scrubber. View these products at: www.donaldson.com

Engineering will fit your application.

Regards,

Ron H

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Guru

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#5

Re: Filtering toxic fumes from burnt plastic

12/04/2008 10:29 AM

Now I'm confused. Are you planning to incinerate plastics in something like an industrial furnace or in a cogen plant? If so, you need to talk to some industrial pollution guys; a HEPA filter is OK for an after-filter following a baghouse, but I can't imagine using one as a primary. And, no filter, no precipitator comes close to touching dioxins. The generally correct solutions for plastics are:

minimize use;

recycle when economical;

compact and put in leach-free landfill;

incinerate with a controlled burn and a very high chimney, following the basic rules: NIMBY and BANANA.

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"Well, I've wrestled with reality for 35 years, Doctor, and I'm happy to state I finally won out over it." Elwood P. Dowd
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Active Contributor

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#6

Re: Filtering toxic fumes from burnt plastic

12/04/2008 8:00 PM

Many thanks for the inputs..

What I am really trying to do is to cut open a plastic material with the use of a hot rod and not mech'l tools of sorts to avoid vibration. I assumed that the process and the byproducts(fumes) are the same as incinerating plastics. Am I correct?

Again,, many thanks.

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Guru

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#7
In reply to #6

Re: Filtering toxic fumes from burnt plastic

12/05/2008 6:24 AM

No. When you incinerate, there's a chimney way up there that disperses the fumes. You really have to look at the type of plastic (those with Cl are real nasty) and the applicable laws (are you exposing workers, the general public?). Some of the fumes from burning plastic are toxic.

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#9
In reply to #6

Re: Filtering toxic fumes from burnt plastic

12/11/2008 4:06 AM

A very cold rod instead

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Guru

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#8

Re: Filtering toxic fumes from burnt plastic

12/06/2008 2:08 AM

DON'T BURN PLASTICES RECYCLE.

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Participant

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#10
In reply to #8

Re: Filtering toxic fumes from burnt plastic

01/30/2009 1:30 AM

Hi

I want to melt plastic in canola oil ( like potato fries) and mold the stuff into different things. Does melted plastic releases any fumes? Does the melting stage release as much fumes as burnt plastic?

Thanks

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Participant

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#11
In reply to #10

Re: Filtering toxic fumes from burnt plastic

02/16/2009 11:57 PM

Hi

No one has replied to above memo for one month! Am I doing or saying anything wrong?

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