To purify exhaust air from industrial processes effectively with thermal systems, it is often necessary to install a filter system on the inlet side of the abatement system. This prefiltration system is designed to protect thermal oxidizers (RTO, TAR, VAR systems) from deposits of sticky particulate matter that may contaminate and block the systems, in order to guarantee safe and reliable operation.
Previously, small to medium loads of sticky particulate matter were removed by washer systems or classical multi-stage pocket filter systems. Both processes require elaborate equipment, they generate large quantities of waste and consume a lot of electricity. The advantage of the newly developed filter system is its simple and robust design. The particles are removed in a labyrinth system by deflecting the air stream and causing them to adhere to the surface of the filter material due to their stickiness. The material is easy to clean. Another advantage is the filter's mixing function. Several contaminated air streams with different temperatures can be mixed simultaneously and evenly.
The process is suitable for all industrial environments where production facilities that generate exhaust air containing hydrocarbons and sticky particulate matter are involved.
The new filter system has been applied for the first time in two regenerative thermal oxidizers (RTO) supplied to BASF. The RTOs treat the exhaust air from the ABS plastic production facility. After the first oxidizer at the BASF operation in Ulsan, Korea had been successfully commissioned, BASF ordered another one 6 months later for their Belgian operation in Antwerp. Apart from the convincing quality of the system components, the excellent international cooperation between the Dürr locations was the reason why Dürr received the orders and was able to complete them successfully.