Catalytic Products International (CPI) recently installed an 8,000 SCFM Regenerative Thermal Oxidizer (RTO) at a Western USA bakery for the abatement of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).
Bakeries can generate air pollution emissions from several different processes (including gas combustion). The primary source of emissions at a bakery is the oven, which produces Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and carbon dioxide during the yeast fermentation process. The main VOC emitted from bakery operations is ethanol.
The 8,000 SCFM Triton-8.95 Regenerative Thermal Oxidizer (RTO) will destroy the incoming VOCs in the exhaust gases emitted from the new single bread oven with +98% destruction rate efficiency (DRE) at a thermal rate efficiency (TRE) of 95%. To address the high moisture content of the exhaust streams and potential for corrosion all wetted surfaces including the exhaust stack, inlet ducting, dampers, and booster fan were constructed of stainless steel.
Thermal and Catalytic Oxidization are the most widely accepted control technologies available to control the VOC emissions from bakery processes. Thermal treatment of VOCs and other air pollutants works by a simple reaction of the harmful air pollutants with oxygen and heat. In this environment, the VOCs are converted into harmless inert byproducts, water vapor (H2O), and usable heat. These harmless by-products are typically released to the atmosphere, or in some cases use an energy recovery technique to further lower the operational costs.
CPI Regenerative Thermal Oxidizers (RTOs) are engineered to provide exceptional performance and reliability. During operation of the RTO the VOCs are directed into one of the system’s regenerators, an internally insulated vessel containing specialized ceramic media which allows thermal rate efficiencies up to 97%. The contaminated gases are passed through the first regenerator where energy is transferred from the ceramic media to the gas in order to elevate the temperature. This elevated temperature approaches the ignition level for most solvents and is then directed from the ceramic bed into the combustion chamber. As the stream exits the ceramic bed and travels through the internally lined combustion chamber, minimal heat is added to ensure a proper oxidation temperature and a designed dwell time is maintained providing destruction of the VOCs at greater than 98% efficiency. The resultant clean, oxidized gases are redirected into a second regenerator bed to continue the energy transfer and oxidation cycle before being released to the atmosphere.
CPI provided a fully skid mounted, pre-piped and pre-wired, RTO with the media installed at the factory. The RTO was installed on a steel platform on the roof of the bakery, with CPI providing on-site supervision to minimize the downtime associated with the installation of the RTO. This approach ensured that entire system was installed correctly, and the facility was back up and producing product with minimal downtime.
Established in 1969, Catalytic Products International (CPI) continues as a leading supplier of air pollution control equipment. CPI is at the forefront in providing industries including food and beverage manufacturing facilities with solutions to their air pollution control needs.
Today, CPI partners with its customers as a trusted resource in resolving the most complex air pollution and energy conservation problems. We provide our customers with innovative and cost-conscious solutions to their most complex VOC, NOx, and Odor pollution challenges. Our equipment is also at work meeting energy conservation strategies and minimizing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
