Abstract: A regenerative thermal oxidizer (H-101) includes a number of heat exchange columns (A, B) topped by a combustion chamber (C-101). Contaminated air is directed into one of the columns and oxidation is completed as the flow passes through the combustion chamber (C-101). From the combustion chamber (C-101), the now clean air flows vertically downward through another column and then is directed via an outlet through an outlet manifold and released to atmosphere or recirculated back to the oxidizer (H-101). A combustible fuel is added to the contaminated air prior to its entry into one of the columns. The addition of the combustible fuel is regulated by continuously monitoring the inlet and outlet temperatures (TE-101A, TE-108A), and comparing a difference between these temperatures to a predetermined value. Further control can be achieved by measuring the flow of contaminated air to the oxidizer (H-101) via pressure differential and coordinating that measurement with the temperature differential measurement.

Abstract: A combination infrared/convection dryer or oven for drying travelling webs. A shutter assembly is provided between the infrared radiation source and the moving web in order to selectively expose the web to infrared radiation. Drying efficiency is optimized by adding heated impinged air at high velocity on the machine direction ends and between the infrared elements. The air being discharged on the web is heated as it is pulled across the elements to a centralized return air duct. The return air is pulled into the inlet of a close coupled supply fan which then discharges the air to the nozzles. A portion of the air is also exhausted to atmosphere to maintain the oven enclosure in a negative pressure state, thus drawing fresh make-up air into the oven housing through the web inlet and outlet slots. Flotation nozzles can be used where contactless support of the running web is desired. Enhanced drying of the web and/or a coating on the web at high speed is achieved without a concomitant increase in dryer length.

Abstract: A combination infrared/air convection dryer or oven for travelling webs. A shutter assembly is provided between the infrared radiation source and the moving web in order to selectively expose the web to infrared radiation, and to create a sealed air chamber when in the closed position. Enhanced drying of the web and/or a coating on the web at high speed is achieved without a concomitant increase in dryer length. When the drying atmosphere has a high concentration of solvent, exposure of that atmosphere to the heating elements, which can cause explosions, is eliminated by actuation of the shutters. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, air bars are used to floatingly support the moving web to avoid contact of the web with dryer elements.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to supported perovskites of the formula XYO.sub.3 where X is lanthanum, cerium or yttrium and Y is a transition metal such as copper, chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt and nickel supported on a support such as alumina, silica, magnesium aluminate, titanium oxide, zirconium oxide and mixtures thereof. In the case where X is lanthanum, some of the lanthanum ions may be replaced resulting in a perovskite of the formula La.sub.1-x A.sub.x YO.sub.3 wherein x is about 0.75 or less and A is silver or magnesium and Y is manganese or iron. Their use for low temperature oxidation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particularly oxygen-containing VOCs. The support may be stabilized by having an intermediate metal oxide layer on the surface of the support wherein the metal of the intermediate metal oxide may be iron, magnesium, cobalt, nickel, manganese, zinc, titanium, copper, chromium, lanthanum, barium, calcium, strontium or silver. The catalysts contain platinum or palladium.

Abstract: A combination infrared/convection dryer or oven for drying travelling webs. A shutter assembly is provided between the infrared radiation source and the moving web in order to selectively expose the web to infrared radiation. Drying efficiency is optimized by adding heated impinged air at high velocity on the machine direction ends and between the infrared elements. The air being discharged on the web is heated as it is pulled across the elements to a centralized return air duct. The return air is pulled into the inlet of a close coupled supply fan which then discharges the air to the nozzles. A portion of the air is also exhausted to atmosphere to maintain the oven enclosure in a negative pressure state, thus drawing fresh make-up air into the oven housing through the web inlet and outlet slots. Flotation nozzles can be used where contactless support of the running web is desired. Enhanced drying of the web and/or a coating on the web at high speed is achieved without a concomitant increase in dryer length.

Abstract: Air flotation dryer for floatingly drying travelling webs. The dryer includes a housing having a web inlet and a web outlet spaced from the web inlet, and a plurality of elongated air nozzles arranged transversely to the direction of movement of the web and preferably located on opposite sides of the web, the nozzles being secured directly to, supported by and in air-receiving communication with longitudinally extending supply air ducts. An air supply fan is in communication with the supply air ducts to supply air to the nozzles. Heat is provided to the apparatus with a draw-through style burner, which fires into the dryer enclosure and the proper amount of air flow to be heated by the burner (e.g.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to supported mono charged cation delta manganese dioxide hydrate having a noble metal on the surface thereof, and to the use thereof for low temperature oxidation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particularly oxygen-containing VOCs. The present invention further relates to the use of the supported catalysts to reduce the amount of VOCs present in waste gases produced by processes such as baking, brewing, and flexographic printing. Catalysts prepared from the supported manganese-containing catalysts have increased resistance to poisoning in the presence of catalyst contaminants, e.g., sulfur containing compounds.

Abstract: Control system and method for monitoring and controlling the stoichiometry of a secondary air burner in a thermal oxidizer. The burner control system secures a certain stoichiometry independent of possible simultaneous changes of the gas mixture flow rate and/or of the combustible impurity concentration in the process gas. The firing rate of the burner is adjusted by a controller. Additionally, the flow of the burner fuel and of the process gas mixture are measured and transformed into separate signals. Both signals are sent to an evaluation apparatus that compares the signals and generates a third signal based upon that comparison. This third signal is in communication with a device that changes the gas mixture flow resistance, and thus the desired amount of gas mixture will be diverted for the combustion of the fuel.