Safety and air quality are extremely important considerations in manufacturing. A Regenerative Thermal Oxidiser (RTO) system can help reduce your environmental impact and comply with clean air legislation.
RTOs are efficient pollution control systems with extensive industrial applications; capable of being used with furnaces of all sizes. There are many different types of RTO available, with differing levels of energy efficiency and heat repurposing technology, but all offer a range of benefits not available from other types of oxidiser and air treatment system.
Here are some of the main advantages:
RTO units are extremely successful at removing volatile organic compounds from exhaust fumes. VOCs are destroyed and reduced to less harmful by products, including water vapour, CO2 and heat (much of which can be recaptured and reused).
Once installed, a well-designed RTO system will operate reliably for many years, with a capacity that can be scaled to grow with the demands of your factory or plant. They are also fairly compact (depending on the size and number of heat exchange towers), reducing their footprint and allowing easy access for repairs and maintenance.
Compared to other types of oxidiser, RTOs require less of an investment to install, and cost less to operate. This is because the waste heat can be largely repurposed to keep the process running. In other words, the heat derived from VOC destruction is used to preheat the exhaust gas before it passes through the oxidation chamber. Thus your energy expenditure is greatly reduced.
RTO systems can be used to treat exhaust gases from a diverse range of industrial processes, including those that produce flue gases with a high particulate content, or hazardous air pollutants. Such plants are commonly found in manufacturing environments involved in paint production, pharmaceuticals, ethanol processing, packaging & printing, plastics, paper, metals and sewage treatment.
A professionally installed and maintained RTO will give you a long, productive service life. We recommend the use of specialised thermal ceramic coatings, as well as high-quality refractory insulation in the lining of its internal design, to minimise wear and tear. Avoid models that use untreated steel for its internal components, as these are more likely to wear out and require more frequent maintenance.
To find out more about RTO systems and how you can get the best value, please download our free guide to Controlling Air Pollution & Emissions In Manufacturing With Afterburners & RTO’s by clicking here. To speak with one of our team about clean air compliance or energy repurposing, please call us on 01782 824453.