Regenerative Thermal and Catalytic Oxidizers (RTOs & RCOs) will experience over years of operation reduced air flow capacity, channeling or voids in the media bed, thermal imbalances in the chambers, non-efficient energy use, and extended startup times. These are all signs of a Thermal Oxidizer that should be evaluated for media replacement.  

Many monolithic and structured media beds clog when particulate loading occurs in the RTO / RCO.  Improper ceramic media selection and / or improper media installation or can increase the potential of clogging.  However, if your manufacturer has installed random saddles on the cold face side of the heat recovery chamber this subjects the incoming air stream to a high pressure drop layer before seeing the structured monolithic media, the impact of this random layer on the bottom is more severe than the layer at the top because the cold face is the lowest temperature region of the media chamber bed and is where most condensation and particulate clogging occurs.  This area of the Thermal Oxidizer is also the most difficult area to bake and clean out.  Conversely, the top layer of random saddles is located near the extremely hot combustion chamber and consequently doesn’t have the same concerns.  

Properly functioning Regenerative Thermal Oxidizers support ongoing manufacturing and maintain state and federal environmental compliance.  Improperly operating RTOs or RCOs can also negatively impact production volume, increase operating costs and can become expensive in environmental fines. Gulf Coast Environmental Systems provides extensive knowledge and experience with all brands of thermal oxidizer equipment and can provide a corrective solution.

If you are interested in reducing your operating costs and increasing your bottom line you may be interested in the Gulf Coast Environmental Systems Energy Savings Guarantee.