Regenerative Thermal Oxidizer with Acid Gas Absorber

IES successfully completed the installation of a 16,000-cfm regenerative thermal oxidizer system to control halogenated hydrocarbon emissions from a batch organic chemical manufacturing facility. The system is complete with a pre-scrubber, water seal flame arrester, forced draft fan, thermal oxidizer, quench chamber, FRP vertical packed tower, and a 60’ stack. The acid gas absorber uses caustic solution to remove hydrochloric acid and chlorine gases formed during the combustion of methylene chloride and other halogenated compounds. The blowdown of the scrubber is maintained at a pH between 6 and 9 and is directly discharged to the public sewer system.

Due to the highly variable fluctuations of hydrocarbons in the process gas stream, several process safety guards were incorporated into the design, including LEL control and injection of fresh air. The system was installed to achieve compliance with the federal NESHAP standards for pharmaceutical processes and has a VOC and HCL removal efficiency of 99%.

IES’ responsibilities included the development of the design basis, engineering design, bidding, vendor selection, permitting, construction management, and start-up. All equipment was designed to meet the California building code for seismic and wind loads. Permitting in the South Coast Air Quality Management District was complex and required the modification of more than 50 permits.

The project was delivered on time and within budget to meet the NESHAP deadline.

For more information, contact James R. Rutenbar, P.E.