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Environmental Technology Listing
Title of Listing:
Thermatrix Flameless Oxidation Process
Category:
Treatment Technologies
Subcategory:
*Air, All Listings
Media:
Gases
Contaminants:
Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated Compounds, VOCs
Web Site:
http://www.thermatrix.com
Email:
Technology Description:

The Thermatrix flameless oxidation process maximizes the destruction of waste hydrocarbon vapors in a safe, durable and low-cost system. It achieves greater than 99.99 percent destruction of hydrocarbons including chlorinated compounds.

          Fume is processed through the inert ceramic bed or "matrix" of the flameless thermal oxidizer. The hydrocarbons and air enter the oxidizer through a gas distribution plenum. Next, the VOC stream is homogeneously mixed with air in the mixing zone prior to entering the reaction zone. In the reaction zone, the hot matrix raises the temperature of the incoming fume thus initiating oxidation. The hydrocarbons oxidize to form carbon dioxide (CO2) and water vapor (H2O). The exothermic heat released by the reaction is absorbed by the matrix providing a thermal contribution to the process. The large heat capacity of the matrix maintains thermal inertia which dampens the effects of process fluctuations.

          The energy content of the waste stream is utilized by the flameless oxidation process resulting in low operating costs. In many cases, there is ample enthalpy in the fume to operate the oxidizer without the need for supplemental energy. Fume streams in the range of 10 to 40 BTU/scf may not require any fuel during fume processing. The off gas from soil vapor extraction or air strippers is often in this range of heating value.

          The Thermatrix flameless oxidation process has a number of advantages over conventional flame-based treatment technologies such as incineration or catalytic oxidation. The flameless process is exceptionally safe, it is essentially oxidation in a flame arrestor. It has a guaranteed destruction removal efficiency (DRE) of at least 99.99 percent including chlorinated compounds. Chlorinated compounds are difficult to destroy by flames since they have a narrow flammability range and chlorine acts as a flame retardant.

          In addition to the high DRE, thermal NOx is typically less than 2 ppm and CO is less than 10 ppm. Capital costs are competitive with other technologies and operating costs are often considerably lower since the flameless process utilizes the energy content of the waste hydrocarbons.

          Thermatrix has supplied flameless oxidation systems to the chemical, pharmaceutical and oil refining industries. A number of these applications have involved chlorinated compounds, where corrosion resistant materials and treatment of acid gas by-products are provided with the system.
Performance Status/
Limitations:

Performance Status:
          Thermatrix systems have been permitted by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) in 45 days and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and Energy (NJDEPE) in 30 days. Additional units have been supplied and permitted in Texas, Pennsylvania, Louisiana, and other states.

          Limitations:
          The main technical limitation is that the flameless oxidation process should not be used to treat organometallic compounds that will form solid oxides upon oxidation. Similarly, if the waste fume contains a high particulate loading, then a particulate separator should be included upstream of the flameless oxidizer.
Topics
Technologies, Treatment/Remediation
Additional Topics/Tags/Keywords
Thermal Oxidation, Hydrocarbons


Organization:
Thermatrix, Inc.
Address:
101 Metro Drive
Suite 248
Phone:
DescriptionNumber
City:
San Jose
1.
Primary (408) 453-0490
State/Province/Territory:
CA
2.
Zip/Postal Code:
95110
3.
Country:
United States
4.
Fax:(408) 453-0492
Branch Locations: