Regenerative Thermal Oxidizers (RTO)

A regenerative thermal oxidizer captures industrial exhaust streams containing VOCs and HAPs, then heats the air to a high enough temperature to oxidize those pollutants into carbon dioxide and water vapor. Like other thermal oxidizer systems, effective RTO performance depends on the right combination of time, temperature, and turbulence.

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.

The refractory lining insulates the combustion chamber and helps retain heat. If the refractory becomes cracked, worn, or damaged, heat can escape from the chamber, forcing the burner to fire more frequently to maintain temperature. Over time, this increases fuel consumption and can create hot spots that shorten equipment life.

Yes, our RTOs are typically skid-mounted and pre-assembled to minimize field welding and on-site labor. This simplifies installation and helps reduce overall turnkey project costs.

Clean process airstreams with high air flow and low VOC content (<10% LFL) are ideal applications. Higher VOC concentrations can be tolerated, as well as organic/inorganic particulates with proper planning and design, and possibly filters. See our case studies for a sample of possible applications.