Regenerative Thermal Oxidizers (RTO’s)

The Regenerative Thermal Oxidizer converts VOCs by the combustion process into Carbon Dioxide and water. The Regenerative Oxidizer utilizes the heat of the products of combustion to preheat the incoming solvent laden air and as a result a very small amount of supporting fuel is required. Heat recovery achieved is as much as 95%. The Regenerative Thermal Oxidizer generally consists of two compartments each filled with a heat absorbing media. The combustion chamber and support burner are located above the two chambers.

How it Works?

A valve arrangement provides for alternating and reversing the intake and exhaust through each compartment hot exhaust gases flow through the heat absorbing media in one direction and heating up the media.

The flow is then reversed and the solvent ladder air from the process is then passed through the heated absorbing media, thus preheating it before it reaches the combustion chamber.

In the meantime the exhaust passes through the other chamber and the cycle is then reversed. Typical combustion chamber temperatures from 1400o F to 1600o F with preheated temperatures 1335o F to 1525o F, VOC destruction rates are 96% plus. The addition of a surge chamber can increase destruction rates to 99.5% and higher.

Regenerative Thermal Oxidizers (RTO) provide excellent heat recovery for high flow, low volatile  organic compound (VOC) fume streams. By capturing the heat energy of the combustion exhaust and subsequently transferring it to the incoming solvent laden air stream heat recovery achieved can be 95%, depending on the application. Because of the high thermal efficiency of these systems, relatively little support fuel, if any, is required.

RTO systems significantly lower overall operating costs versus other VOC destruction systems. Compliance targets are met with high destruction rates from 96-99% plus.

The RTO combustion chamber operates at 1400-1600°F. It contains a burner located between two heat storage compartments. As the combustion chamber exhaust gases flow through a compartment of heat adsorbing media, the media temperature rises. A valve arrangement provides for alternating and reversing the intake and exhaust through each compartment, working in sequence. As the flow is reversed the solvent laden air from the process is then passed through the heated media, thus preheating the VOC laden fume stream before it enters the combustion chamber. Preheat temperatures of 1335-1525°F provide the energy required to reduce supplemental fuel to the oxidizer. These systems can be designed to minimize NOx formation during combustion

Typical process applications for an RTO are ones that exhibit:

• High flow rates & VOC concentrations of 1-9% of the Lower Explosive Limit (LEL).
• Chemicals in the solvent mixture with catalyst-destroying properties.
• Varying solvent mixtures and/or varying exhaust air volumes running on the same production line.
• Burner selections available: Natural Gas, Propane, LPG, Low BTU Gas, or Fuel Oil.

Products

• Regenerative Thermal Oxidizers (RTO’s)
• Recuperative Thermal Oxidizers
• Heat Exchangers
• Condensing Boilers Systems
• Condensing Economizers Systems
• Permanent Total Enclosures (PTE’s)
• Steam Generating Thermal Oxidizers
• Flares (Low NOx)
• Custom Fabrication & CAD Design
• Concentrator/Adsorption Systems
• Collection System Design & Fabrication
• Catalytic Oxidizers
• Ancillary Products
  • Boilers
  • Blowers
  • Burners (low NOx)
  • CEM (Continuous Emission Monitoring)
  • Dampers, Ducting & Valves
  • Dust Collectors
  • Filters
  • LEL (Lower Explosive Limit) Monitoring
  • Primary Heat Recovery
  • Secondary Heat Recovery
  • Scrubbers
  • Waste Heat Boilers