Regenerative thermal oxidizers (RTO) are machines equipped with ceramic mass regenerative heat exchangers which allow for a high thermal efficiency thanks to their capability of quickly accumulating and yielding heat. This characteristic of theirs makes it possible to implement plants which yield up to 96%.
Regenerative thermal oxidizers
1 Features and advantages of rto system
2 Rto plant – Operating principle
3 Plant engineering solutions
3.1 Thermal oxidizers with pre/post treatment4 Services provided
4.1 Feasibility studies4.2 Engineering
4.3 Project management
4.4 Installation
4.5 After Sales
4.6 Revamping
Regenerative thermal oxidizers (RTO) are machines equipped with ceramic mass regenerative heat exchangers which allow for a high thermal efficiency thanks to their capability of quickly accumulating and yielding heat. This characteristic of theirs makes it possible to implement plants which yield up to 96%. The high heat recovery implemented by the correct sizing of the ceramic exchanger allow the plant to be self-sufficient, namely switching off the burner, which entails nullifying machine fuel consumption. The calorific value of the pollutant (VOC) present in the stream which burns in the combustion chamber therefore maintains the combustion temperature. Regenerative thermal oxidizers are configured based on their specific application and can be grouped as follows:
Double chamber RTO, with optional compensation chamber;3-5-7 chamber RTO, to be defined based on the flow rates of the process gas to be treated.These machines are generally applied for all of those VOC laden emissions with 2-3 g/Nm3 or more to exploit self-sufficiency. Whereas for lower concentrations, they are the only system capable of minimising the operating cost of the machine due to the high heat recovery.
Features and advantages of rto systemElectrical switchgear with PLC and remote assistanceIndependent combustion system to guarantee correct operation of the plantModulating combustion system to maintain the correct operating temperature with the different incoming pollutant loadsCombustion chamber refractory interior with high density ceramic fibre insulation allowing the plant to last longerSpecific design to be applied with pollutant concentrations up to 25% of LELHigh purification efficiency (98-99.5%)High thermal efficiency (92-96%)Reduced production of secondary pollutants (CO, NOx)Possibility of further heat recoveryReduced maintenance
Rto plant – Operating principleThe polluted air is extracted by a fan which is designed to overcome the pressure drops of the system. An exhaust adjustment system (inverter) is installed when there is a variable flow rate so as to optimise energy consumption. The plant generally consists of three towers containing ceramic material which cyclically accumulate and release heat, connected one to another at the top by a combustion chamber. The first tower which contains ceramic material is crossed by the cold air to be treated from the bottom upwards. It absorbs the heat accumulated by the ceramic during the previous cycle with the treated outgoing effluent. Purified hot air passes through the second tower, coming from the combustion chamber which it absorbs heat from. The third tower is purged and cleaned from pollutant residues to prepare it for the effluent outflow in the next cycle. Purging is useful since this chamber previously contained the incoming polluted effluent. A series of valves, specifically designed and tested for reliability and safety, alternate the inlet and outlet of the effluent into the reactors, thus achieving a cyclical process. This thermal exchange system, obtained by using ceramic masses, allows close to 96% heat recovery, making the plant self-sufficient meaning zero auxiliary fuel consumption with an incoming concentration generally close to 2 grams. The type of ceramic material used to accumulate heat is optimised to guarantee both reduced electric energy consumption and low auxiliary fuel consumption as well as minimise congestion due to the presence of particulate (organic or inorganic).
