FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates generally to regenerative oxidizers (e.g., regenerative thermal oxidizers (RTOs) and/or regenerative catalytic oxidizers (RCOs)) and, more particularly, to methods, apparatuses, and systems for improving burner efficiency in regenerative oxidizers.

BACKGROUND

Regenerative thermal oxidizers (RTOs) are used to reduce the amount of pollutants, such as volatile organic compounds and odors, in gas through thermal oxidation. RTOs may include valve assemblies configured to alternate the flow of gas through the RTO during operation. Through applied effort, ingenuity, and innovation, many identified problems have been solved by developing solutions that are included in embodiments of the present disclosure, many examples of which are described in detail herein.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Various methods, apparatuses, and systems are included for independently controlling burners within a regenerative oxidizer. In an example embodiment, a regenerative oxidizer may be provided for oxidizing gas. The regenerative oxidizer may include a combustion chamber configured to heat gas present in the combustion chamber. The regenerative oxidizer may also include a first heat exchange media bed and a second heat exchange media bed. Each of the first heat exchange media bed and the second heat exchange media bed may be in fluid communication with the combustion chamber. A gas pathway may be defined by a flow of gas through the first heat exchange media bed and the second heat exchange media bed. A first airflow direction along the gas pathway may be defined in an instance in which an inlet feed of gas is provided to the first heat exchange media bed, and a second airflow direction along the gas pathway may be defined in an instance in which the inlet feed of gas is provided to the second heat exchange media bed. The regenerative oxidizer may further include two burners disposed within the combustion chamber configured to provide a total heat input to the gas present in the combustion chamber. At least one of the two burners is independently adjustable based on the airflow direction, such that a greater portion of the total heat input is directed to the first heat exchange media bed in an instance in which the gas is in the first airflow direction and a greater portion of the total heat input is directed to the second heat exchange media bed in an instance in which the gas is in the second airflow direction.

In some embodiments, the adjustment of the at least one burner may be responsive to a change in a measured characteristic of the gas in the combustion chamber. In some embodiments, the measured characteristic of the gas in the combustion chamber is temperature. In some embodiments, the two burners may include a first burner directing heat towards the first heat exchange media bed and a second burner directing heat towards the second heat exchange media bed.

In some embodiments, the first burner may be configured to provide a first burner heat input and the second burner may be configured to provide a second burner heat input. In such an embodiment, the total heat input includes the first burner heat input and the second burner heat input. In some embodiments, in an instance in which airflow through the regenerative oxidizer is in the first airflow direction, the first burner heat input may be greater than the second burner heat input. In some embodiments, the first burner heat input and the second burner heat input may be determined based on a respective proximity of each of the two burners to the first heat exchange media bed. In some embodiments, in an instance in which airflow through the regenerative oxidizer is in the second airflow direction, the second burner heat input is greater than the first burner heat input. In some embodiments, the regenerative oxidizer may also include one or more additional burners disposed within the combustion chamber. In such an embodiment, the total heat input includes a first burner heat input, a second burner heat input, and a heat input from the one or more additional burners. In some embodiments, the regenerative oxidizer is a regenerative thermal oxidizer or a regenerative catalytic oxidizer.

In another embodiment, a method of operating a regenerative oxidizer for oxidizing gas is provided. The method may include providing a combustion chamber configured to heat gas present in the combustion chamber. The method may also include providing a first heat exchange media bed and a second heat exchange media bed. Each of the first heat exchange media bed and the second heat exchange media bed may be in fluid communication with the combustion chamber. The method may further include defining a gas pathway based on a flow of gas through the first heat exchange media bed and the second heat exchange media bed. The method may still further include defining a first airflow direction along the gas pathway in an instance in which an inlet feed of gas is provided to the first heat exchange media bed, and a second airflow direction along the gas pathway in an instance in which the inlet feed of gas is provided to the second heat exchange media bed. The method may also include independently adjusting at least one of two burners based on the airflow direction. Two burners are disposed within the combustion chamber configured to provide a total heat input to the gas present in the combustion chamber, such that a greater portion of the total heat input is directed to the first heat exchange media bed in an instance in which the gas is in the first airflow direction and a greater portion of the total heat input is directed to the second heat exchange media bed in an instance in which the gas is in the second airflow direction.

In some embodiments, the adjustment of at least one burner may be responsive to a change in a measured characteristic of the gas in the combustion chamber. In some embodiments, the measured characteristic of the gas in the combustion chamber is temperature. In some embodiments, the two burners may include a first burner directing heat towards the first heat exchange media bed and a second burner directing heat towards the second heat exchange media bed. In some embodiments, the first burner may be configured to provide a first burner heat input and the second burner may be configured to provide a second burner heat input. In such an embodiment, the total heat input includes the first burner heat input and the second burner heat input.

In some embodiments, in an instance in which airflow through the regenerative oxidizer is in the first airflow direction, the first burner heat input is greater than the second burner heat input. In some embodiments, the first burner heat input and the second burner heat input may be determined based on a respective proximity of each of the two burners to the first heat exchange media bed. In some embodiments, in an instance in which airflow through the regenerative oxidizer is in the second airflow direction, the second burner heat input is greater than the first burner heat input. In some embodiments, the method may also include disposing one or more additional burners within the combustion chamber. In such an embodiment, the total heat input includes a first burner heat input, a second burner heat input, and a heat input from the one or more additional burners. In some embodiments, the regenerative oxidizer is a regenerative thermal oxidizer or a regenerative catalytic oxidizer.

The foregoing illustrative summary, as well as other exemplary objectives and/or advantages of the disclosure, and the manner in which the same are accomplished, are further explained in the following detailed description and its accompanying drawings.

