What Is a Regenerative Thermal Oxidizer? Types of RTOs and How They Work

A thermal oxidizer is a piece of equipment that uses heat to break down organic pollutants in the exhaust gas from industrial processes. There are different thermal oxidizers, but the most common one is the regenerative thermal oxidizer (RTO). In this article, we will discuss a regenerative thermal oxidizer and how it works. We will also look at the different types of RTOs and their applications.

What is a regenerative thermal oxidizer, and what are its benefits over traditional incinerators or catalytic oxidizers?

So what is a regenerative thermal oxidizer exactly? A regenerative thermal oxidizer is a thermal oxidizer that uses a “regeneration” process to break down organic pollutants. A regeneration process means heating the exhaust gases and laterally reversing them through what are known as heat exchanger beds. These heat exchanger beds are made up of ceramic media or metal plates and can retain a large amount of heat.

The benefits of using regenerative thermal oxidizer over what is called traditional incinerators or catalytic oxidizers come down to efficiency and cost. Incinerators and catalytic oxidizers do not use regeneration processes, making them less efficient at breaking down organic pollutants in exhaust gases. Because of this, they require a higher operating temperature to achieve VOC destruction, which can be detrimental to the equipment and expensive in terms of energy consumption. A regenerative thermal oxidizer uses “heat recovery” at “high efficiencies” (95-99% or more) to “maintain VOC destruction.” This means that the thermal oxidizer is “self-sustaining”, which results in “reduced operating costs” and “improved process efficiencies.”

How do different RTOs work, and which is best for your business needs?

There are multiple types of regenerative thermal oxidizers, and what type you choose will depend on the needs of your business. The most common types are:

Two-bed RTOs

Triple-bed RTOs”

Quadruple-bed RTOs

– A two-bed regenerative thermal oxidizer has two heat exchanger beds, one for preheating the exhaust gas and one for regeneration. This regenerative thermal oxidizer uses fewer media but has less thermal efficiency than “triple-bed” or “quadruple bed” RTOs.

– A triple-bed regenerative thermal oxidizer has three heat exchanger beds, two for preheating the exhaust gas and one for regeneration. This type of regenerative thermal oxidizer is called “self-sustaining” or “closed-loop” RTO and is the most common type.

– A quadruple-bed regenerative thermal oxidizer has four heat exchanger beds, two for preheating the exhaust gas and two for regeneration. This type of regenerative thermal oxidizer is called “two-stage” RTO, and it is more efficient than a triple-bed RTO.

Which type of regenerative thermal oxidizer you choose will depend on the needs of your business. If you need an RTO that is very efficient at breaking down organic pollutants, then a two-stage or quadruple-bed RTO is what you need. If your business does not require a very efficient thermal oxidizer, then a triple-bed or self-sustaining RTO would be appropriate for your needs.

There are also different types of “heat exchanger beds” that can be used in regenerative thermal oxidizers:

– Ceramic media beds can provide very high thermal efficiency, but they cannot be used in abrasive applications.

– Metal plate beds have lower thermal efficiencies than ceramic media beds, but they can be used in abrasive applications and can be more cost-effective.

This means that what type of media bed you choose will depend on what kind of application your business needs it for and your budget. It’s important to consider all factors before deciding which thermal oxidizer is best for you.

What factors should you consider when choosing an RTO supplier, and what questions should you ask them before making a purchase decision?

When choosing an RTO supplier, there are a few factors you should consider:

– The quality of the equipment

– The company’s experience in the industry

– Their track record for customer service and support

– Whether they offer training and installation services

Once you have considered these factors, it’s important to ask what kind of RTOs they sell. Questions you could ask include:

– What type of thermal oxidizers do you offer? (Two-bed, triple-bed or quadruple bed)

How long have you been in business? Are your employees certified to work on these types of equipment (i.e., what are their qualifications and experience)?

Do you offer training for employees working on the thermal oxidizer? Do you provide installation services, or can we do it ourselves (if so, what kind of help would that require from us)?

If something goes wrong with our system after purchase, what kind of service plans do you offer to get it up and run again as quickly as possible?

The answers to these questions will help you decide if the supplier is right for your business. Make sure to ask as many questions as you need to feel comfortable with your purchase decision.

How to properly maintain your RTO to ensure optimal performance and extend its lifespan?

To properly maintain your RTO, you should:

– Inspect the equipment regularly and keep a record of all inspections

– Clean the heat exchanger beds every few months to remove any built-up pollutants

– Flush the system with an oxidizing agent once a year to remove any buildup of VOCs or other pollutants

By doing these things, you will ensure your RTO is running at peak efficiency, which means it will last longer too.

If you’re in the market for an RTO, be sure to weigh all of your options and choose the one that will work best for your business. Consult with an expert to learn more about how different types of RTOS work and find the perfect fit for your needs.