What Is a Regenerative Catalytic Oxidizer (RCO) And Why Its Brilliant

Catalytic oxidizers are just thermal oxidizers that have a catalyst added to them, allowing for effective oxidation at considerably lower temperatures. The oxidation takes place on the catalyst's surface in catalytic units. Thermal oxidizers, on the other hand, oxidized in the gas phase in the combustion chamber.

Introduction To Regenerative Catalytic Oxidizer

Regenerative catalytic oxidizers (RCOs) and recuperative catalytic oxidizers are two types of catalytic oxidizers. By reversing the process gas through alternate beds, RCOs use ceramic beds to store and release thermal energy. To continually recover heat, recuperative units use an internal gas-to-gas heat exchanger. RCOs are substantially more energy-efficient than recuperative units in general. The recuperative technique, on the other hand, might be the best option in some cases, especially when the VOC concentration in the gas stream is significant. In circumstances when the VOC concentration is minimal, however, the regenerative catalytic oxidizer may be the most cost-effective option.

While a catalytic oxidizer uses half the energy of a thermal oxidizer, it is important to understand the characteristics of the gas stream to be treated. Catalysts are extremely sensitive to particular molecules in the gas stream, as they can "poison" the catalyst and render it useless. In addition, particle matter in the gas stream may have a masking effect, resulting in a similar unfavorable outcome. As a general guideline, make sure the gases to be treated are free of toxins or particles that might prohibit the catalyst from operating successfully for at least five years.

The importance of periodic catalyst testing is a final consideration when choosing a regenerative catalytic oxidizer. In contrast to RTOs, the performance of an RCO is determined by the catalyst's activity as well as the operating temperature. Even in the most benign applications, an RCO catalyst degrades over time. As a result, it's critical to take a sample of the catalyst layer regularly and send it to a reputable laboratory for testing. Testing should be done every three to five years on average.