You decide Catalytic Afterburners vs Traditional Afterburners, Electrostatic Precipitators (ESP) or VortX Ecofilter
Coffee Roasting Machines generate a significant amount of smoke and pollutants during the coffee bean roasting process.
To control these emissions, many roasters use traditional afterburners, catalytic afterburners, electrostatic precipitators (ESP), or wet scrubbers like the VortX Ecofilter.
In this article, we will compare these options to help you decide what is the best pollution control solution for your coffee roastery.
Pollution control is important for Coffee Roasteries for several reasons:
- One of the main reasons is that coffee roasting produces a significant amount of smoke and pollutants, which can have negative impacts on the environment.
- Roasting of coffee beans involves the heating and drying of green coffee beans, which releases a variety of pollutants into the air. These pollutants include particulate matter, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon monoxide, and other harmful gases. These pollutants can contribute to air pollution and can have negative impacts on human health, such as respiratory problems and other respiratory issues.
- Pollution control is also important for coffee roasteries because it is often required by many countries have regulations in place that require coffee roasteries to control their emissions and limit the number of pollutants they release into the air. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in fines and other penalties.
The importance of smoke management for coffee roasteries
Implementing effective smoke reduction measures, coffee roasteries can demonstrate their commitment to reducing their environmental impact and contribute to the overall sustainability of the coffee industry as well as the public perception of coffee roasteries. As consumers become increasingly aware of environmental issues, they are more likely to choose products and services from companies that prioritise sustainability.
Another way that efficient smoke reduction can improve the perception and public image of coffee roasteries is by reducing the negative impacts of coffee roasting on the local community. Smoke and pollutants from coffee roasting can be a source of nuisance and discomfort for people living and working near coffee roasteries. By reducing their emissions, coffee roasteries can help to improve air quality and reduce the negative impacts on the local community.
In addition to these benefits, efficient smoke reduction can also improve the perception and public image of coffee roasteries by demonstrating a commitment to quality and consistency. By controlling the smoke and pollutants produced during roasting, coffee roasteries can better control the flavour and quality of their final product. This can help to improve the overall perception of the company and its products, which can be beneficial for attracting and retaining customers.
Overall, efficient smoke reduction can improve the perception and public image of coffee roasteries by demonstrating a commitment to environmental sustainability, reducing the negative impacts on the local community, and improving the quality and consistency of their products.
There are 5 types of Afterburners:
- Traditional Afterburners
- Catalytic Afterburners
- Electrostatic Precipitators (ESP)
- VortX Ecofilter
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Traditional Afterburners:
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Ease of Installation: |
★★★★☆ |
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Ease of operation: |
★★★★★ |
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Upfront Cost: |
★★☆☆☆ |
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Running Cost: |
★☆☆☆☆ |
Traditional coffee roaster afterburners are a popular choice for controlling emissions from coffee roasters because they are relatively simple and cost-effective. These systems work by using a secondary chamber to burn off the smoke and pollutants produced during the roasting process.
To use an afterburner, the smoke and pollutants are fed into the chamber, where they are burned off at high temperatures. The resulting clean gas is then released into the atmosphere. The high temperatures in the afterburner chamber are typically achieved using a fuel source, such as natural gas or propane.
One advantage of traditional coffee roaster afterburners is that they are relatively easy to install and maintain. They do not require any specialised equipment or expertise, and they can be used with most types of coffee roasters.
However, traditional afterburners do have some disadvantages. They can be relatively inefficient, as they require a significant amount of fuel to maintain the high temperatures needed to burn off the smoke and pollutants. They also produce emissions of their own, including carbon dioxide, which can contribute to climate change.
Overall, traditional coffee roaster afterburners are a simple and effective solution for controlling emissions from coffee roasters. While they have some limitations, they can be a good choice for small- to medium-sized roasteries that are looking for a cost-effective pollution control solution.
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Catalytic Afterburners
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Ease of Installation: |
★★★★☆ |
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Ease of operation: |
★★★★★ |
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Upfront Cost: |
★☆☆☆☆ |
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Running Cost: |
★★★☆☆ |
Catalytic afterburner cleans air during coffee roasting by using a catalyst to speed up the burning of smoke and pollutants. Helps keep the environment safe.
A catalyst is a substance that helps to speed up a chemical reaction without being consumed in the process. In the case of catalytic afterburners, the catalyst helps to break down the smoke and pollutants, making it easier for them to be burned off.
This has several advantages over traditional afterburners. First, catalytic afterburners are more efficient because they require less fuel to burn off the smoke and pollutants. This means that they can reduce operating costs for the coffee roastery. Second, catalytic afterburners produce fewer emissions than traditional afterburners because they require less fuel and because the catalyst helps to break down the pollutants into simpler molecules that are easier to burn off.
One disadvantage of catalytic afterburners is that they can be more expensive to purchase and install than traditional afterburners. They also require more maintenance, as the catalyst must be replaced periodically. Additionally, catalytic afterburners may not be suitable for use with certain types of fuels, such as wood or coal, which can damage the catalyst.
Overall, catalytic afterburners are a more efficient and environmentally friendly option for controlling emissions from coffee roasters. While they may have higher upfront costs and require more maintenance, they can provide long-term benefits in terms of reduced operating costs and lower emissions.
Genio Roasters, a coffee roasting machine manufacturer would highly recommend the Catalytic Afterburner, ReiCatino® - Catalytic Air Purification. This compact air purifier for Coffee Roasters is available on our Webshop.
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Electrostatic Precipitators (ESP)
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Ease of Installation: |
★★★☆☆ |
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Ease of operation: |
★☆☆☆☆ |
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Upfront Cost: |
★★★★☆ |
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Running Cost: |
★★★★☆ |
Electrostatic precipitators (ESP) are a type of pollution control system that uses an electrical charge to remove smoke and pollutants from the gas stream produced during coffee roasting. These systems work by passing the gas through a series of plates, which are charged with a high voltage.
The smoke and pollutants in the gas stream are attracted to the charged plates, where they are collected and removed from the gas stream. The resulting clean gas is then released into the atmosphere.
One advantage of electrostatic precipitators is that they do not require gas to operate. They are also relatively good at capturing smoke particles, provided that the roasters' chaff filter is very efficient.
However, electrostatic precipitators have several disadvantages. One major disadvantage is that one ESP will likely not be enough. For a small 3kg Coffee Bean Roaster, a single ESP may suffice. But for proper filtration on larger roasters, additional units will need to be connected in parallel to ensure proper operation.
ESPs are difficult to clean and can become very inefficient at capturing smoke very quickly. As soon as smoke particles starts to build up on the surface of the collector plates, the efficiency starts to drop rapidly. To clean them means stopping your roasting and removing the cumbersome plates from the side of the machine. This means that ESP needs to be mounted at floor level for easier access. A large tub of water or pressure cleaner can be used to clean the collector plates before they are re-inserted into the ESP.
Another important factor to consider is that of back pressure. An ESP acts like a resistor in the outgoing smokestack. The more resistance is created, the harder the roasting fan needs to work to push the smoke through the ESP and out of the stack. Multiple ESPs with compound this problem, often requiring additional booster fans to be installed.
Overall, electrostatic precipitators can be an effective option for controlling emissions from coffee roasters if specified, installed, and maintained correctly. They can provide long-term benefits in terms of reduced emissions and low maintenance costs.
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VortX Ecofilter
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Ease of Installation: |
★★★☆☆ |
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Ease of operation: |
★★★☆☆ |
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Upfront Cost: |
★★☆☆☆ |
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Running Cost: |
★★★★☆ |
Wet scrubbers, also known as wet scribblers, are another effective method of controlling emissions from coffee roasters. These systems use water to scrub the smoke and pollutants from the gas stream. The gas is passed through a series of spray nozzles, which apply a fine mist of water to the gas stream. The water removes the smoke and pollutants, which are then collected in a holding tank.
The VortX Ecofilter is a wet scrubber system specifically designed for use in the coffee roasting industry. It uses a combination of water and specialized filtration media to effectively remove smoke and pollutants from the gas stream produced during coffee roasting.
According to the manufacturer the Reduces VOCs and the odour they cause. Filters visible chaff & dust and Captures CO2 produced by your roaster’s burner.
However, there are also some disadvantages to consider when using the VortX Ecofilter. One major disadvantage is that it requires a significant amount of water to operate. This can be a problem in areas with water shortages or high-water costs. The VortX Ecofilter also produces wastewater, which must be treated before it can be discharged. Additionally, the system can be expensive to purchase and install, especially for larger coffee roasteries.
Overall, the VortX Ecofilter is a highly effective option for controlling emissions from coffee roasters. While it may have higher upfront costs and require more water to operate, it can provide long-term benefits in terms of reduced emissions and minimal maintenance costs.
Summary
So which pollution control solution is the best choice for your coffee roastery? For Genio Roasters, an engineering firm, it is a tough choice between the VortX and Catalytic Afterburners. Traditional afterburners are simply too expensive to operate, and ESP will have you wailing in frustration before long.
Or does Genio Roasters perhaps have a something new brewing? Watch this space and see how waste heat from traditional afterburners can be re-used in the roasting process.
Genio Roasters, a coffee roasting machine manufacturer would highly recommend the Catalytic Afterburner, ReiCatino® - Catalytic Air Purification. This compact air purifier for Coffee Roasters is available on our Webshop.
As an engineering company, Genio Roasters build coffee roasters for coffee shops, commercial & industrial roasteries and speciality roasters alike. Our advanced profile control and heat transfer technologies situate our machines far ahead in flavour development during the coffee roasting process. We also supply roasteries with roasting equipment.
