Abatement efficiency improvement at clinical waste treatment facility
Challenge
SOCOTEC Ireland was appointed by a clinical waste treatment facility to conduct a thorough investigation in order to identify optimal filter selection for the on-site abatement system.
The facility needed to know the most effective filtration configuration to achieve maximum abatement efficiencies for reducing Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) generated by the treatment process. With changes in waste types being processed, the client faced increasing emissions and concerns about potential breaches of Emission Limit Values (ELVs) specified in the site's Industrial Emissions Licence.
Project Description and Background
In December 2025, SOCOTEC Ireland was contacted by its clinical waste treatment facility client to assist with a critical site investigation. The facility operates under an Industrial Emissions Licence with specified ELVs for VOC emissions, and operational changes had raised concerns about potential compliance issues.
The investigative scope required the simultaneous measurement and comparison of raw and abated VOC emissions across different filter configurations and operational conditions to determine the optimal abatement system setup. SOCOTEC put together a testing programme to deliver detailed performance data, all while maintaining facility operations.
Solution
SOCOTEC introduced a testing programme in January 2026, combining real-time monitoring with analytical review to assess abatement system performance across operational scenarios.
SOCOTEC’s methodology utilised Flame Ionising Detector (FID) analysers to measure VOC concentrations at both the raw inlet prior to abatement and the treated outlet from the abatement system.
Four comprehensive test runs were undertaken at varying operational loads and with different filter types, with test durations ranging between 45-80 minutes, determined by operational conditions.
VOC measurements were conducted following methodologies outlined in IS EN 12619, with results monitored in real time and logged for further analytical assessment. This enabled the direct comparison of abatement capture efficiencies across different configurations.
As well as VOC concentration measurement, flow measurements were taken as spot readings in accordance with IS EN 16911-1, facilitating determination of mass emissions. The measurement programme provided data in multiple formats, including concentration results as mg/m³ and mass emissions as kg/hr, providing the complete characterisation of abatement system performance.
The investigation revealed reduction efficiencies between 10% and 77% across the test runs, enabling the clear identification of optimal filter configurations. Significantly, the comparative analysis demonstrated that different grade filters offered very similar abatement results, with lower filtration scale filters (>95%) achieving nearly equivalent efficiency to higher scale filters (99.95%).
This finding identified opportunities for both capital and operational cost savings while maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements.
SOCOTEC introduced a testing programme in January 2026, combining real-time monitoring with analytical review to assess abatement system performance across operational scenarios.
SOCOTEC’s methodology utilised Flame Ionising Detector (FID) analysers to measure VOC concentrations at both the raw inlet prior to abatement and the treated outlet from the abatement system.
Four comprehensive test runs were undertaken at varying operational loads and with different filter types, with test durations ranging between 45-80 minutes, determined by operational conditions.
VOC measurements were conducted following methodologies outlined in IS EN 12619, with results monitored in real time and logged for further analytical assessment. This enabled the direct comparison of abatement capture efficiencies across different configurations.
As well as VOC concentration measurement, flow measurements were taken as spot readings in accordance with IS EN 16911-1, facilitating determination of mass emissions. The measurement programme provided data in multiple formats, including concentration results as mg/m³ and mass emissions as kg/hr, providing the complete characterisation of abatement system performance.
The investigation revealed reduction efficiencies between 10% and 77% across the test runs, enabling the clear identification of optimal filter configurations. Significantly, the comparative analysis demonstrated that different grade filters offered very similar abatement results, with lower filtration scale filters (>95%) achieving nearly equivalent efficiency to higher scale filters (99.95%).
This finding identified opportunities for both capital and operational cost savings while maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements.
Conclusion
The clinical waste treatment facility investigation demonstrates SOCOTEC Ireland's ability to deliver specialised emissions testing programmes requiring coordination of simultaneous multi-point monitoring, real-time data analysis, and comprehensive comparative assessment of abatement system configurations.
SOCOTEC’s bespoke approach combined field measurement expertise, compliance with relevant IS EN standards, and detailed analytical reporting to deliver actionable recommendations. The project ensured ongoing compliance with Industrial Emissions Licence ELVs, as well as identifying significant cost optimisation opportunities.
The use of lower filtration scale filters delivers equivalent abatement efficiency at reduced capital cost, while the lower density reduces air flow resistance, decreasing fan power requirements and delivering long-term energy cost savings.
Throughout the duration of this project, SOCOTEC presented its client with the benefits of rigorous emissions testing, which allowed them to make informed technical and commercial decisions, as well as meet the highest standards of regulatory compliance and environmental protection.
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