IPE Advisor - Thermal Oxidizers
Thermal Oxidizers
A thermal oxidizer is a type of air pollution control equipment installed at industrial plants and factories, such as large automotive paint shops, to reduce emissions of volatile organic solvents (VOCs) and other industrial pollutants and emissions that are generated in paint booths and other processes. Using extreme high temperatures to trigger a combustion reaction, the organic air pollutants undergo thermal oxidization, transforming the complex organic solvents into CO2 and H2O.
Oxidizers, also known as after-burners, incinerators, thermal oxidizers, etc, are used at many industrial process facilities worldwide. During the manufacturing process for painting new vehicles, as an example, solvents are released into the air, collected and transported via large industrial ductwork powered by large fans, until they reach their target destination: a thermal oxidizer. The contaminated gases pass through a temperature-controlled environment, which is heated by a burner and combustion blower, reaching temperatures of 1400°F - 1500°F.
At this temperature, in the presence of oxygen, the gaseous chemicals undergo an oxidation reaction, destroying the pollutants before releasing the exhaust to atmosphere.
There are several varieties of thermal oxidizer, including a Regenerative Thermal Oxidizer, or 'RTO', which uses ceramic media as a heat-exchange material.