What is a recirculating molecular odor scrubber?

A recirculating molecular odor scrubber (RMS) is a self-contained indoor unit that pulls room air through an activated carbon bed to adsorb odor-causing vapors. The cleaned air is returned to the same space for continuous vapor-phase odor control.

Can an RMS be vented outdoors instead of recirculating?

Yes. While RMS units are designed for indoor recirculation, they can be configured to duct treated air outdoors when your application or code requirements call for exhaust. Your selection and sizing will account for either recirculation or ducted operation.

Where are RMS units used in commercial facilities?

Typical applications include wastewater plant control rooms, pump station buildings, labs and QA/QC rooms, processing areas, evidence rooms, morgues, and industrial utility or mechanical spaces.

How do I size an RMS for my room and odor load?

Provide room dimensions, odor sources, and desired air changes per hour. We recommend airflow capacity and carbon media volume to ensure adequate contact time for adsorption—adjusted for either recirculating or ducted operation. You can use our Odor Adsorber Sizing Calculator to determine what size odor adsorber you will need.

What maintenance is required?

Routine pre-filter replacements and periodic activated carbon media changes based on operating hours and odor intensity. Front-access panels simplify service to minimize downtime.

Recirculating Molecular Odor Scrubber

Industrial Odor Control’s Recirculating Molecular Odor Scrubbers (RMS) deliver indoor vapor-phase odor removal for commercial spaces that cannot or prefer not to vent outdoors. Each self-contained unit pulls contaminated room air through a deep bed of activated carbon and recirculates cleaned air back into the space — reducing odor complaints and improving workplace comfort. While engineered for recirculation, these systems can also be configured to duct outdoors if your application requires exhausting treated air.

Why Choose Our Indoor RMS Units?

Vapor-Phase Carbon Filtration

Targets hydrogen sulfide, mercaptans, amines, and VOCs common in industrial and municipal environments.

Recirculating or Outdoor Venting

Use in closed-loop mode to maintain conditioned air, or connect to ductwork to vent treated air outdoors.

Low-Touch Maintenance

Front-access panels simplify carbon media and pre-filter changes to minimize downtime.

Industrial Build

Durable construction for continuous operation in demanding facilities.

Commercial Applications

Wastewater treatment plant control rooms & pump station buildings
Labs, QA/QC rooms, and product development suites
Food, chemical, and materials processing areas
Evidence rooms, morgues, and medical storage spaces
Industrial utility rooms, electrical/mechanical enclosures

How It Works

Room air enters the scrubber through a particulate pre-filter to protect the carbon bed.
A deep activated carbon media section adsorbs odor-causing vapors (vapor-phase treatment).
Cleaned air is either recirculated back into the space or ducted outdoors, depending on setup.

Selecting a Unit

Room size & odor load: Match airflow capacity and carbon volume to space volume and odor intensity. Use our Odor Adsorber Sizing Calculator to size your odor adsorber.
Contact time: Ensure adequate dwell time in the carbon bed for effective adsorption.
Venting preference: Decide whether to recirculate air indoors or exhaust it outdoors after treatment.

Need help sizing an RMS for your room and odor profile? Our team will recommend a configuration and media schedule based on your application and airflow needs.

Request RMS Recommendation

Keywords: indoor odor scrubber, recirculating molecular odor scrubber, vapor-phase carbon filter, commercial odor control, activated carbon air scrubber, ducted odor scrubber

Recirculating Molecular Air Scrubber (RMS) Comparison Chart

Feature	RMS-100 Brochure \| Data/Cut Sheet	RMS-250 Brochure \| Data/Cut Sheet	RMS-800 Brochure \| Data/Cut Sheet
Pre-Filter	Merv-7 Prefilter	Merv-7 Prefilter	Merv-7 Prefilter
Cubic Feet of Carbon	1 cf (30 lbs)	1.8 cf (50 lbs)	7.5 cf (250)
Carbon Contact Time	.6 seconds	.44 seconds	.56 seconds
Airflow	100 cfm	250 cfm	800 cfm
Sample Air Exchange	2.5 air exchanges per hour in 15’x15’x10’ room	6.5 air exchanges per hour in 15’x15’x10’ room	2 air exchanges per hour in 50’x50’x10’ room
Voltage	110/1/60*	110/1/60*	220/1/60*
Height	31” (78.74 cm)	38” (96.5 cm)	60-1/8” (152.3 cm)
Diameter	15” (38.1 cm)	15” (38.1 cm)	24” (61 cm)
Weight (empty)	40 lbs	45 lbs	160 lbs
Made From	HDPE	16-gauge carbon steel**	16-gauge carbon steel**
Fan/Blower	Terrabloom ECMF-150	Terrabloom ECMF-250	Industrial Pressure Blower
Variable Speed Fan	Yes	Yes	No
Decibel Level	50 db	77 db at 5’ full speed	80 db at 3’
Inlet	Radial up-flow filter with 3 rows of .1” Inlets evenly spaced with 40% open space (20.7 square inches)	Radial up-flow filter with .125” Inlets spaced on centers 3/8” with 40% open space Inlet to carbon bed- surface area 460 square inches Inlet to air plenum –surface area 230 square inches	Radial upflow filter with .125” Inlets spaced on centers 3/8” with 40% open space Inlet to carbon bed‐ surface area 1447 square inches Inlet to air plenum –surface area 290 square inches
Outlet	6” pipe (12.5 Sq in.)	10-inch – surface area 78.54 square inches	5‐inch pipe – surface area 19.6 square inches
Refill Port	Removeable Lid	2” fill port	4” fill port
Casters	No	Yes	Yes
Magnehelic Differential Pressure Gauge	No	Yes	Yes
Other Features	Inner air plenum for even carbon wear		Built in skid for easy lifting 4 Lift points for raising and lower to overhead platforms

* Other voltage configurations available.
** Stainless steel available as an option.

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