Thermal Oxidizers
Catalytic Oxidizers
Energy-Efficient VOC Destruction Through Catalytic Oxidation
Catalytic oxidizers provide highly efficient VOC destruction at significantly lower operating temperatures than traditional thermal oxidizers, reducing fuel consumption and operating costs. By using specially formulated catalysts, these systems convert VOCs to carbon dioxide and water vapor at temperatures as low as 315-425°C (600-800°F), approximately half the temperature required for thermal oxidation.
The catalyst acts as a reaction accelerator, enabling complete VOC destruction without the high temperatures needed in non-catalytic systems. This lower operating temperature significantly reduces energy consumption, fuel costs and equipment size, making catalytic oxidizers an ideal solution for applications where autothermal operation is not feasible, or where heat recovery is not economically viable.
How Catalytic Oxidizers Work
EIS catalytic oxidizers use advanced catalyst technology combined with EIS’s proven oxidizer design to deliver efficient, low-temperature VOC destruction.
Air Preheating
Process air containing VOCs enters the catalytic oxidizer and passes through a heat exchanger (in recuperative designs) or ceramic heat transfer media (in regenerative designs). The incoming air is preheated to approach the catalyst operating temperature, typically 315-650°C (600-1,200°F) depending on VOC characteristics and catalyst type.
Catalyst Activation
The preheated process air enters the catalyst bed where it flows through channels coated with or composed of catalytically active materials. The catalyst provides a surface that dramatically accelerates the oxidation reaction, enabling VOC molecules to react with oxygen at temperatures 260-425°C (500-800°F) lower than required for thermal oxidation. EIS has a number of transition and precious metal catalysts that can be used to destroy VOCs over a wide range of process conditions.
VOC Destruction
As the contaminated air passes through the catalyst bed, VOCs are oxidized into carbon dioxide and water vapor. The catalyst enables this conversion to occur at lower temperatures while still achieving destruction efficiencies of 95-99%. The exothermic oxidation reaction generates thermal energy that helps maintain the catalyst operating temperature.
Heat Recovery
After VOC destruction, the hot, cleaned exhaust gases pass back through the heat exchanger or regenerative media, transferring their thermal energy to the incoming process air. This heat recovery dramatically reduces the supplemental fuel required to maintain catalyst operating temperature, often achieving thermal efficiencies of 70-95% depending on system configuration.
Clean Air Discharge
The cooled, cleaned exhaust air exits the system and is safely discharged to the atmosphere through a stack, meeting all emission requirements.
Key Benefits of Catalytic Oxidizers
Lower Operating Temperatures
VOC destruction at 315-650°C (600-1,200°F) vs. 750-1,000°C+ for thermal oxidation, reducing fuel consumption
Reduced Energy Costs
Significantly lower supplemental fuel requirements due to reduced operating temperature
High Destruction Efficiency
Achieves 95-99% VOC destruction efficiency with proper catalyst selection and system design
Multiple Catalyst Options
Precious metal and transition metal catalysts available to optimize performance and cost for your specific application
Flexible System Integration
Compatible with recuperative and regenerative heat recovery systems for maximum efficiency
Smaller Equipment Footprint
Lower operating temperatures enable more compact combustion chamber and ductwork design
