Ecolo Odor Control Systems Worldwide

Neutralizing Systems

Another odor control category consists of neutralizers, which is the focus of this article. One such neutralizer employed by Ecolo Odor Control systems atomizes a product called airSolution which is a complex mixture of essential oils found in plants. These odoriferous organic compounds contain numerous ingredients generally classified into four main groups which are characteristic of the majority of the essential oils.

                • Terpenes- related to isoprene or isopentene

                • Straight- chain compounds, not containing any side branches

                • Benzene derivatives

                • Miscellaneous compounds

Terpenes. These naturally occurring compounds make up the most important group of essential oil components. They all have the same empirical formula, C10H16.
Straight-chain compounds. This group consists of aldehydes, alcohols, and ketones. They are present in a number of volatile oils from fruit.
Benzene deratives. These include constituents derived from benzene, more particularly n-propyl benzene.
Miscellaneous compounds. Examples of this fourth group include eugenol and vanillin.

Mechanisms of Interaction

A look at some of the formulas of compounds contained in these groups indicates they have one or more functional groups such as an aromatic ring or cyclic structure, a double bond, a carbonyl group, and/or a hydroxyl group. These functional groups are responsible for the pleasant particular odor of the components of the essential oils. They are also responsible for the specific properties given above.

The most important part of the carbonyl group is its bond polarization. Because oxygen is considerably more electronegative that carbon atom acquires a negative charge, and the carbon atom, with its positive charge, is electrophilic and is subject to nucleophilic compounds such as ammonia, amines, and mercaptans, which are principal sources of bad odor in the food and agricultural industry, as well as odors generated from municipal solid waste.

The hydroxyl group is a highly polar group, so alcohols may react with aldehydes to form loosely joined molecules known as hemicetals. Alcohol may also react with carboxylic (organic) acids which are another source of bad odors. This latter reaction is known as esterification.