Abstract: A rotary valve thermal oxidizer including an interfacial seal disposed between rotating and fixed valve portions to prevent the mixing of treated and untreated gas streams. In a preferred embodiment, the valve sealing device includes a flowable sealing material contained within a receptacle, and contacted by a partition nested within the receptacle. Other sealing devices, as well as purge and/or sealing gases, may be employed to prevent leakage, while avoiding the use of machined parts.

Abstract: A method for processing an air stream using a thermal oxidizer, by pre-heating the air stream, without the use of auxiliar heat, and substantially eliminating the condensation of organic or inorganic compounds within the air stream to be treated.

Abstract: An improved structural support system for a regenerator used with a regenerative thermal oxidizer, including a perforated and corrugated rigid beam resting on a support surface. The perforated beam supports heat exchange materials either directly, or indirectly using a perforated grid. The beam includes a plurality of perforations permitting upward gas flow from the underside of the beam and through the heat exchange materials. The air distribution plenums under the beam are reduced in height from that of conventional systems. The novel structure results in a more reliable and efficient regenerator.

Abstract: A regenerative thermal oxidizer system is useful for treating a waste gas stream that contains volatile organic compounds. Two regenerators each contain heat exchange material that is arranged within the regenerators to recover heat generated by the oxidation of the volatile organic compounds. A first regenerator is in heating service and is used to preheat the waste gas stream before it enters an oxidation chamber where the volatile organic compounds are oxidized. From the oxidation chamber, the waste gas stream enters a second regenerator in cooling service where a portion of the heat generated by the oxidation reactions is recovered. When it is necessary to reverse the flow of waste gas through the regenerative thermal oxidizer, a trap for adsorbing volatile organic compounds is engaged.

Abstract: A regenerative thermal oxidation system is useful for treating a waste gas stream that contains volatile organic compounds. The volatile organic compounds are oxidized in an oxidation chamber. The heat and oxygen necessary to support the oxidation reactions is provided by a hot oxidation gas stream produced by the combustion of wood waste with excess air in a combustion chamber. The heat generated by the oxidation and combustion reactions is recovered in a plurality of regenerators. Any particulates in the hot oxidation gas stream are removed by a particulate removal system such as a cyclone separator or a high temperature filter. Preferably at least two regenerators containing heat exchange material are used to recover the heat from the oxidation reactions. The first regenerator is in heating service for heating the waste gas stream before it enters the oxidation chamber.

Abstract: A damper system for three bed thermal regenerative oxidizers is disclosed, which employs two blades pivotally mounted in a body having two chambers separated by a septum. The first chamber receives an inlet gas through a first aperture and has a second aperture providing a flow path to a first regenerator bed. The second chamber incorporates a third aperture communicating with a second regenerator and a fourth aperture communicating with a third regenerator. The septum intermediate the first and second chambers incorporates a fifth aperture for communication between the chambers. Positioning of the first damper blade to seal the fifth aperture allows flow from the inlet to the first regenerator bed. Repositioning of the first blade to a second position covering the second aperture allows flow from the inlet through the aperture in the septum into the second chamber and through the third aperture to the second regenerative bed.

Abstract: Smokeless burnout of regenerative thermal oxidizer systems is accomplished by isolating the incineration system from the process flow and drawing fresh air into the heating regenerator at approximately one-fourth of the normal process flow. A purge/burnout fan is employed to induce flow through an idle regenerator drawing high temperature gas from the retention chamber through the idle regenerator. Gas is directed from the purge/burnout fan back into the retention chamber to oxidize contaminants which has been volatilized from the media in the third regenerator. The reduced flow rate of the system and maintaining flow through the regenerator being burned out while continuing to cycle the remaining regenerators as heating and cooling regenerators builds the temperature in the burnout regenerator until volatilization of all contaminants is achieved.

Abstract: The present invention is a regenerative gas incineration apparatus having three heat regenerators containing refractory heat exchange material. Gas is cycled through the regenerators first in one direction, then in another. The regenerators are each connected to combustion chamber having an air-fuel system and at least one burner. A system of valved ductwork is utilized to direct gas to be processed into and upwardly through a heating first regenerator into the combustion chamber, downwardly through a cooling second regenerator and exhausting the processed gas to the atmosphere. The temporarily idle third regenerator is purged of partially treated gas remaining from a previous cycle and this gas is directed to the combustion chamber. The flow of the gas through the system is periodically changed enabling the heat recovered by cooling regenerator in the previous cycle to be used to heat incoming gas in the next.

Abstract: The present invention is a regenerative gas incineration apparatus having three heat regenerators containing refractory heat exchange material. Gas is cycled through the regenerators first in one direction, then in another. The regenerators are each connected to combustion chamber having an air-fuel system and at least one burner. A system of valved ductwork is utilized to direct gas to be processed into and upwardly through a heating first regenerator into the combustion chamber, downwardly through a cooling second regenerator and exhausting the processed gas to the atmosphere. The temporarily idle third regenerator is purged of partially treated gas remaining from a previous cycle and this gas is directed to the combustion chamber. The flow of the gas through the system is periodically changed enable the heat recovered by cooling regenerator in the previous cycle to be used to heat incoming gas in the next.

Abstract: A heat exchanger which includes a plurality of elongated, parallel, vertical tubes for directing a hot fluid through a cross flowing fluid, particularly suited for handling larger quantities of fluid which contains abrasives. Each of the continuous tubes are secured at opposite ends to tube sheets. One tube sheet provides vertical support for the tubes, the other tube sheet is allowed to float. The tubes are thus unrestrained in the vertical direction and are permitted to freely expand in the presence of the hot fluid.

Abstract: Replaceable inlet means for a fluid heat exchanger, particularly useful for a fluid containing an abrasive. A bulkhead is employed on the inlet side of the heat exchanger. A plurality of replaceable tubes are disposed within this bulkhead. The wear caused by the abrasive is confined to the replaceable tubes.