Regenerative Thermal Oxidizer (RTO)

Regenerative Thermal Oxidizer (RTO)

What is a Regenerative Thermal Oxidizer?

A Regenerative Thermal Oxidizer (RTO) is an air pollution control device that destroys volatile organic compounds (VOCs), hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), and odors by converting solvent-laden emissions into CO₂ and H₂O through high-temperature oxidation before exhausting them to the atmosphere.

RTOs play a crucial role in promoting sustainability by reducing emissions, conserving resources, and minimizing environmental impact. They significantly reduce harmful industrial emissions, resulting in cleaner air and better public health and environmental outcomes.

Key Benefits

• High Destruction Efficiency: Up to 99.9% VOC destruction with optional entrapment chambers or three-chamber designs.
• Energy Efficiency: Thermal efficiencies up to 97% via heat recovery, reducing overall energy consumption.
• Scalable Capacity: Standard two-chamber units handle 2,000 to 80,000 scfm; tandem configurations or concentrator pairings can manage up to 180,000 scfm.
• Low Lifecycle Cost: Exceptional removal rates at the lowest full lifecycle cost compared to other thermal oxidizers.

How is a Regenerative Thermal Oxidizer Designed?

RTOs are among the world’s most advanced thermal oxidation systems. CPI engineers and builds each system to your specifications, incorporating industry-leading construction and design features for exceptional performance and reliability.

Design begins with three basic models, then considers your specific air stream characteristics (quantity, temperature, VOC composition) and potential for energy conservation. The systems are built on the core principles of Time, Temperature, and Turbulence:

• Time: Retention time inside the combustion chamber ensures complete oxidation.
• Temperature: Typical combustion chamber temperatures range from 1400°F to 1600°F or higher.
• Turbulence: Sufficient air mixing guarantees uniform destruction of pollutants.

Technical Specifications

• Thermal Efficiency: Up to 97%
• Destruction Efficiency: Exceeds 98% for two-chamber units; up to 99% with VOC entrapment chamber; 99.9% with three-chamber design for odor control.
• Air Volume Range: 2,000 – 80,000 scfm (standard two-chamber); expandable to 180,000 scfm with tandem or concentrator systems.

Product Gallery

Below are images of CPI Regenerative Thermal Oxidizer systems in various configurations:

Note: For applications above 80,000 scfm, CPI offers tandem RTO operation or pairing a Rotary Concentrator System with a smaller RTO to optimize performance.