Regenerative Thermal Oxidizers (RTO)

An installed regenerative thermal oxidizer unit

A regenerative thermal oxidizer (RTO) is an air pollution control device that destroys VOCs and hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) in industrial exhaust air. By using regenerative heat recovery, it achieves high fuel efficiency, often operating with 95% heat recovery.

Regenerative Thermal Oxidizers (RTO) are the technology of choice for most applications due to its high VOC destruction efficiency, low fuel use and long system life.

Maintaining an RTO

What does the burner do in an RTO?

The burner provides the heat required to raise the gas stream to the oxidation temperature needed to destroy VOCs.

When is an induced draft fan a better choice than a forced draft fan?

Induced draft fans are often preferred when handling particulates and solvents with high boiling points, as these solvents can condense and build up on forced draft fan wheels, causing maintenance issues and reduced efficiency.

What can we do if there is a risk of ceramic media plugging due to condensing VOCs?

Using a bake-out feature can help prevent and remove organic compound buildup in the ceramic media, reducing the risk of plugging and maintaining efficient operation. A preheater or recirculation loop are also possible mitigation methods.

What causes hot spots on the outside of our RTO, and can they be fixed?

Hotspots typically result from damaged or missing insulation or compromised metal surfaces that allow heat to escape. KKI has experienced fabricators and insulators who can repair your oxidizer. This may involve replacing damaged metal to provide a secure base for reattaching insulation modules and restoring proper thermal protection.

Can the flow capacity of ceramic media be increased?

It depends on some design factors that need to be scrutinized but typically, no. Advancements in new structured media designs can sometimes increase the thermal efficiency and reducing pressure drops through the media beds. This can sometimes can provide a couple percentage points of capacity increases over RTOs that utilize saddle ceramic media.

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