Regenerative thermal oxidizer

Abstract

A regenerative thermal oxidizer system (20) for use in processing a contaminated fluid. The system includes a combustion chamber (22), a contaminated fluid feed duct (39), and at least a first (24) and a second (26) regenerator chambers in fluid communication with the combustion chamber (22). A regenerator half-chamber (21) is provided in fluid and thermal communication with the combustion chamber (22). A first flow control element (44) is provided for controlling a flow of fluid from the system fluid feed duct (39) to the first regenerator chamber (24), and a second flow control element (46) is provided for controlling a flow of fluid from the system fluid feed duct (39) to the second regenerator chamber (26). An intermittent supply duct (60) connects the system fluid feed duct (39) to the regenerator half-chamber (21). A third flow control element (62) controls flow of system feed fluid through the intermittent supply duct (60). Feed fluid is directed either to one of the first (24) and second (26) regenerator chambers or to the half-chamber (21) prior to flowing into the combustion chamber (22) so that the fluid is are pre-heated prior to entering the combustion chamber (21).

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 60 / 632,907, filed on Dec. 3, 2004.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to the treatment of contaminant laden industrial process emissions and, more particularly, to a ducting and valving system that directs and controls the flow of such emissions to and through a regenerative oxidizer. [0003] Industrial process emissions often contain combustible contaminants and / or odors that, if released to atmosphere, have a potential for polluting the environment. Thermal and / or catalytic oxidizers increase the temperature of such process emissions to a temperature above the ignition temperature of the contaminants therein so as to oxidize the contaminants. [0004] One type of thermal oxidizer is a regenerative thermal oxidizer (“RTO”). The basic components of a regenerative thermal oxidizer are a combustion chamber, at least two separate beds (or cham...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] A regenerative thermal oxidizer system for use in processing a contaminated fluid. The system includes a combustion chamber, a system fluid feed duct, and at least a first and a second regenerator chambers in fluid communication with the combustion chamber. A regenerator half-chamber is provided in fluid and thermal communication with the combustion chamber. A first flow control element is provided for controlling a flow of fluid from the system fluid feed duct to the first regenerator chamber, and a second flow control element is provided for controlling a flow of fluid from the system fluid feed duct to the second regenerator chamber. An intermittent supply duct connects the system fluid feed duct to the regenerator half-chamber. A third flow control element controls flow of system feed fluid through the intermittent supply duct. Feed fluid is directed either to one of the first and second regen

Problems solved by technology

Industrial process emissions often contain combustible contaminants and / or odors that, if released to atmosphere, have a potential for polluting the environment.

One problem that materially affects the efficiency of regenerative thermal oxidizers is short circuiting of the oxidizer by contaminated emissions incident to opening and closing of the valves required for control of fluid flow to and from the regenerators.

The resulting pressure variations place excessive loads on the fluid moving equipment and are unacceptable in processes being controlled via the regenerative oxidizer.

Also, short circuiting of emissions between flow control valves in the partially open condition seriously compromises the efficiency of the oxidizer.

An additional problem may arise where a two-chamber thermal oxidizer is employed without a purge circuit incorporated therein.

In this case, the reversal of air flow direction within the unit may cause a volume of contaminated air located within and around the heat sink media to be discharged to the atmosphere.

Images