VOC DESTRUCTION
VOC destruction is the measure by which an oxidizer destroys Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) exhausted from the process. VOC destruction is the method to determine the caliber of an oxidizer. By the same means that a 2-Bed RTO bypasses the beds and generates vacuum spikes during flow reversals, untreated process is also allowed to bypass the RTO. The bypass flow combined with the entrained volume of the plenum and heat exchange media void space allows a significant spike of VOCs to escape to atmosphere untreated each time the flow is reversed. This VOC spike limits the 2-bed VOC destruction efficiency to around 95%¹. Some applications can tolerate the lower VOC destruction efficiency of 2-Bed RTOs; however, it is becoming increasingly common to require greater VOC destruction. In addition to VOC destruction, opacity is another factor to consider for processes containing condensable solvents, as when the VOC spike escapes it may be possible to see a puff of smoke leave the exhaust stack. To offset the VOC spike of 2-Bed RTOs, some manufacturers utilize a downstream chamber with a diversion valve to capture the VOC spike. The captured VOC spike is then recycled back to the RTO inlet. Downstream chambers are limited since VOC spikes must be captured in motion. The VOC spikes are partially lost to the exhaust flow due to eddy currents, varying velocities, capture valve timing, etc. A capture chamber also adds back pressure to a 2-Bed RTO which requires increased process fan horsepower.
Just as the TRITON™ RTO avoids generating vacuum spikes by rotating the flow through the beds, the TRITON™ RTO also avoids VOC spikes. Additionally, the entrained volume is automatically contained in the off-line bed and is recycled back to the oxidizer inlet stream.
TRITON™ RTOs are designed and guaranteed to destroy 99.0%² of the VOCs present in the process inlet stream to the RTO. There are instances where TRITON™ RTOs have achieved 99.6% VOC destruction in the field.1. KRONUS™ 2-Bed RTOs can be tuned by Alliance Corporation to enhance the VOC destruction up to a guaranteed to 98%².
2. If all of the Performance Conditions defined in the Proposal are satisfied, then the RTO will reduce the concentration of hydrocarbons measured at the exhaust as compared to the concentration of the inlet to the RTO by an average of greater than the stated percentage or down to 25 Parts Per Million Volume (PPMV) measured as C1 in the exhaust from the RTO. Please refer the standard terms and conditions included with the Proposal for further detail.
