Megtec Systems, Inc.

Edward G Blazejewski

Andreas C H Ruhl

William L Thompson

Craig E Bayer

A heat exchanger for a regenerative thermal oxidizer is described which includes at least one heat exchange column provided with a multi-layer of packing material including at least one layer of randomly packed and specially shaped and sized particles, each particle being formed of a high temperature stable material and preferably having a cylindrical outer wall and internal reinforcing vanes extending from the cylindrical outer wall to the center of the particle, and at least one layer of structured monolithic media having a plurality of flow passages in the direction of gas flow through the column.

Multi-layer heat exchange bed containing structured media and randomly packed media

A regenerative thermal oxidizer in which contaminated air is first passed through a hot heat-exchange bed and into a communicating high temperature oxidation (combustion) chamber, and then through a relatively cool second heat exchange bed. The apparatus includes a number of internally insulated, ceramic filled heat recovery columns topped by an internally insulated combustion chamber. From the combustion chamber, the air flows vertically downward through another column containing heat exchange media, thereby storing heat in the media for use in a subsequent inlet cycle when the flow control valves reverse. Temperature is sensed within the bed of heat exchange media in order to monitor the temperature profile and control a bypass of hot combustion gases should the temperature exceed a predetermined level.

Bypass system and method for regenerative thermal oxidizers

Regenerative thermal oxidizer in which a gas such as contaminated air is first passed through a hot heat-exchange bed and into a communicating high temperature oxidation (combustion) chamber, and then through a relatively cool second heat exchange bed. The apparatus includes a number of internally insulated, ceramic filled heat recovery columns topped by an internally insulated combustion chamber. Process air is fed into the oxidizer through an inlet manifold containing a number of hydraulically or pneumatically operated flow control valves (such as poppet valves). The air is then directed into the heat exchange media which contains 'stored' heat from the previous recovery cycle. The process air is heated to near oxidation temperatures. Oxidation is completed as the flow passes through the combustion chamber, where one or more burners are located. The gas is maintained at the operating temperature for an amount of time sufficient for completing destruction of the VOC's. From the combustion chamber, the gas flows vertically downward through another column containing heat exchange media, thereby storing heat in the media for use in a subsequent inlet cycle when the flow control valves reverse. The resulting clean air is directed via an outlet valve through an outlet manifold and released to atmosphere at a slightly higher temperature than inlet, or is recirculated back to the oxidizer inlet. An integrated VOC entrapment chamber entraps any VOC's that leak out during cycling, and recycles them back to the oxidizer inlet for further processing.

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Green Bay, WI, United States of America

Edward G Blazejewski