Ceramic honeycomb blocks are used as heat exchanger material in regenerative thermal oxidizers (RTO’s). They provide both an increased active surface and a lower flow resistance. An even distribution of air flow within the regenerators results in an improved usage of the honeycomb material's heat storage capacity, thus increasing the regenerators' efficiency.
To date standard blocks, mainly with vertical flow, have been used. The newly patented honeycomb structure of the "Ecopure® ARC Block" also allows horizontal flow distribution between the different bed layers by using horizontally arched blocks. So, the additional spacers used previously are no longer needed; this also reduces the installation work required.
Compared to the previously used honeycomb structures, the "Ecopure® ARC Block" achieves energy savings of up to 10 %. This allows running the equipment at higher volumetric loads at a reduced capital cost.
Source: Final report titled "Testing preheating efficiency of arc honeycomb blocks in RTO plants" by CUTEC of 16 July 08.
Measurements and tests at the renowned Clausthaler Umwelttechnik-Institut GmbH (CUTEC) proved the efficiency of the honeycomb structure developed by Dürr. They were carried out by Karl-Heinz Dammeyer (Dipl. Ing.) under the direction of Otto Carlowitz (Prof. Dr.-Ing.).
The "Ecopure® ARC Blocks" developed by Dürr can easily be used not only for new regenerative thermal oxidizers (RTO’s), but also to retrofit existing equipment at any time. The new arc blocks have been successfully used in several units running in continuous operation.