Regenerative Thermal Oxidizers (RTO)

An installed regenerative thermal oxidizer unit

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.

Regenerative Thermal Oxidizers (RTO) are the technology of choice for most applications due to its high VOC destruction efficiency, low fuel use and long system life.
What industrial applications are best for regenerative thermal 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.

We are considering a refurbished regenerative thermal oxidizer (RTO) to reduce the capital investment for an planned expansion. What warranty is available for the equipment and individual parts, and also what system performance is available?

This is a common concern.  Will the buyer be left with only promises, or will Kono Kogs provide robust support after the purchase and commissioning of the oxidizer? We have never failed to meet our warranty in either parts or oxidizer performance. We have references that will attest to this in every business size- from start-up companies, to growing small, and mid-size companies, to Fortune 500 companies. Our experienced staff can handle any technical or maintenance issue, both on-site, and via remote monitoring to ensure a successful project, now and into the future with our long-life refurbished oxidizers.

Our warranty rivals that of new equipment OEMs and we can even extend the period, if desired. How do we do that?  We offer only the best built systems from the best names in the industry. We also perform extensive sub-system and parts checkouts and replace faulty or questionable parts, many times with upgraded parts. Our goal is a flawless project- achieved with proper planning and with our staff’s extensive oxidizer experience. We are honored that our customers are our best advocates. They affirm that we deliver what we promise- which has been true since day one of Kono Kogs.

How efficient is a regenerative oxidizer?

Regenerative thermal oxidizers have a heat recovery (efficiency) of 95% typically. This technology has the lowest operating cost of all thermal oxidizer systems – not to mention the longest service life and highest reliability. It’s even possible for an RTO to operate with no auxiliary fuel use whatsoever if process VOC concentration levels are >3-4% lower flammability limit (LFL).

At what temperature does a regenerative thermal oxidizer operate?

RTOs typically operate at 1500o – 1600o Fahrenheit depending upon the VOC characteristics. Thermocouples inside the chamber monitor temperature and adjust gas burner firing as needed. Adequate temperature is essential to ensure VOC destruction efficiency. In most cases a data log of chamber temperature is required for air quality compliance.

We are buying a new piece of process equipment. Do we have capacity in our existing oxidizer or can we make changes to achieve the needed capacity?

We can evaluate the existing oxidizer capacity and the requirements of the new process and determine the best approach to upgrade the oxidizer. This could include new heat exchanger media, a larger fan or possibly both. We would also evaluate things like the burner system and combustion chamber size to verify it can provide the required destruction levels. Some applications would be a good match for a VOC concentrator that can significantly concentrate (>10:1) airstreams currently exhausting to the oxidizer.

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You can also call Buster at 920-309-0725 or send us an email.