VOC Stripper Tower | Case Study

Posted February 11, 2026

In Custom Metal Fabrication, Fabrication and Application, Industrial, Metal Fabrication, Tanks, Water Treatment

At Astro Metal Craft one of our recent projects included fabricating a custom stainless steel VOC stripper tower. Check out this case study and video to learn more:

Challenge: Engineering a Code Compliant Large-Scale VOC Stripper Tower

The client required a large-scale VOC Stripper Tower for a water treatment system designed to remove Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) from contaminated process water. VOCs—commonly found in fuels, solvents, and industrial chemicals—must be carefully managed to meet environmental regulations and prevent harmful air emissions.

The system needed to support a tall packed-column air stripping process, where VOCs are physically transferred from water into air and then routed for further treatment or controlled release.

From a fabrication standpoint, the project presented several challenges that Astro was ready to meet:

The tower measured 40 feet tall and 10 feet in diameter, making the fabrication process and final transportation complex.

Additional scope included stainless steel exterior piping, plus aluminum walkways and ladders for safe personnel access.

The structure incorporated dissimilar aluminum alloys (6061 and 5052), requiring strict adherence to certified welding procedures.

Because the vessel would operate in a demanding industrial and environmental compliance application, all welding had to meet AWS D1.2 Structural Aluminum Code requirements, including qualified procedures for dissimilar material joints.

Solution: Fabricating a Complete Custom Air Stripping Tower

The fabrication process began with precision laser cutting the aluminum sheets to exact dimensions using Astro Metal Craft’s in-house CO₂ and fiber laser systems. Once cut, the plates were rolled to a precise radius to form the cylindrical shell sections. These sections were then welded together using controlled procedures to ensure tight dimensional tolerances, consistent roundness, and high-quality, continuous welds throughout the full height of the vessel.

To accommodate the size and orientation of the VOC Stripper Tower:

The vessel was constructed horizontally in three sections.

Custom fabrication fixtures were engineered and built in-house to safely support and rotate the tank during fit-up and welding, ensuring proper alignment and consistent weld quality over long seams.

Check out this YouTube video for more information about this project:

The project used a combination of 6061 and 5052 aluminum, selected for their respective structural and corrosion-resistance properties. Because these alloys fall into different material groups, a dedicated Welding Procedure Specification (WPS) and Procedure Qualification Record (PQR) were developed specifically for the dissimilar metal joints in accordance with AWS D1.2. This included:

Welding qualification test coupons joining 6061 to 5052

Documenting all welding parameters (process, filler metal, gas, amperage, etc.)

Testing (visual inspection, penetrant testing, and mechanical testing)

Welder Performance Qualification (WPQ) to verify execution of the approved procedure

All structural welds were performed using certified procedures and qualified welders, ensuring code compliance and long-term reliability.

In addition to the VOC stripper tower itself, the project scope included:

Stainless steel exterior process piping

Custom-fabricated aluminum walkways and ladders, designed for safe access and maintenance once installed on site

Result: Successful Delivery of a Fully Compliant Custom Aluminum VOC Stripper Tower

The completed VOC Stripper Tower was delivered as a fully compliant, structurally sound, and installation-ready system that met both process performance and environmental compliance requirements.

Key outcomes included:

A 40-foot-tall, 10-foot-diameter precision-fabricated industrial air stripping column built to exact specifications

Successful implementation of dissimilar aluminum welding procedures under AWS D1.2

Integrated access platforms and piping that simplified field installation and long-term maintenance

A durable, corrosion-resistant structure designed for continuous operation in a demanding industrial environment

This project demonstrated Astro Metal Craft’s ability to execute large-scale, code-compliant, custom aluminum VOC stripper towers, including complex welding qualifications, custom fixturing, and fully integrated access and support systems.