Regenerative Thermal Oxidizers (RTO)

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.
RTO Case Studies
RTO Operation
Maintaining an RTO
Selecting an RTO
FAQs
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.
Typically 1400° F minimum up to 1550° F depending upon the VOC characteristics. Read more in Operating Temperatures of Different Oxidizers.
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.
The term “regenerative” in regenerative thermal oxidizer (RTO) is drawn from the type of ceramic media heat exchanger used in these systems. It is unique in that it captures heat from the exhausting, clean airstream during one cycle and releases the heat to the incoming, dirty airstream in the next cycle. The heat is captured (and released) from beds of ceramic media. The RTO incorporates switching valves to cycle the direction of the airflow through the RTO heat exchanger beds to enable regenerative heat recovery.
Yes, most RTO systems are equipped with a VFD on the main fan. VFDs are important for efficient operation, allowing for volume turn-down, improved energy savings, and idle-mode operation when full airflow isn’t needed.
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