A Regenerative Thermal Oxidizer (RTO) is an air pollution control device used to eliminate volatile organic compounds (VOCs), hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), and other pollutants from industrial exhaust gases. It works through a process called thermal oxidation.

 

Here's how a typical RTO works:

 

Inlet Phase: The exhaust gases containing pollutants enter the RTO through an inlet duct. The direction of the gas flow is controlled by valves.

 

Preheating: The incoming gases pass through a heat exchanger known as the energy recovery system. This system typically consists of ceramic beds or media that can absorb and store heat. The hot gases leaving the RTO are used to preheat the incoming gases, reducing the energy required for combustion.

 

Combustion Chamber: Once preheated, the gases enter the combustion chamber. Inside the chamber, the temperature is elevated to the required level (typically around 1,400 to 1,600 degrees Fahrenheit) using burners or other heat sources.

 

Oxidation: In the combustion chamber, the VOCs and other pollutants are exposed to high temperatures and oxygen. This causes the chemical reactions that convert the pollutants into carbon dioxide (CO2) and water vapor (H2O). The pollutants are essentially burned off or oxidized.

 

Heat Recovery: The hot, clean gases leaving the combustion chamber pass through another set of ceramic beds or media in the energy recovery system. These beds absorb the heat from the outgoing gases.

 

Outlet Phase: The purified gases exit the RTO through an outlet duct and are released into the atmosphere. The direction of the gas flow is controlled by valves, which alternate the flow direction during the cycle.

 

Regeneration: The ceramic beds that absorbed heat during the combustion phase are periodically regenerated to ensure continuous operation. Valves redirect the gas flow, allowing the beds to release the stored heat and purge any accumulated pollutants.

 

The RTO operates in a cyclic manner, switching between different phases to optimize energy efficiency. The heat recovery system plays a crucial role in minimizing fuel consumption by transferring heat between the incoming and outgoing gases.

 

Overall, the RTO effectively destroys pollutants in exhaust gases by subjecting them to high temperatures and oxygen, while also recovering and reusing the heat generated in the process.