Chinese Company Saves Energy While Improving Air Quality

By Controlled Environment Equipment

To comply with stringent air-pollution control regulations in China, a coatings producer needed to find a maximum achievable control technology (MACT). Controlled Environment Equipment, was selected to provide a twin-bed regenerative thermal oxidizer with energy recovery system, designed to achieve compliance while generating auxiliary heat for in-plant process heating.

CEE selected the twin-bed regenerative oxidizer "for energy efficient operation between zero and 26% lower explosive-limit (LEL) solvent concentrations", said David Swinehart, VP of engineering at CEE. In addition, "the system provides 99% volatile organic compound (VOC) and hydrocarbon control for the entire range of coatings formulations, as well as loadings and flow rates from 1,000 to 12,000 standard cubic feet per minute."

A variety of solvent vapors, including xylene, methyl ethyl ketone, heptane, phenolics, aromatics, toluene and alcohols, are oxidized in the combustion chamber of the oxidizer system at 1,600F to 2,000F with a one-second retention time.