Patent ID: 6037291
Filing Date: 2000-03-14
Classification: B01J

Abstract:
Apparatus for improving the operation of a thermal oxidizer during regeneration of an adsorber, wherein adsorbates collected in the adsorber are removed from the adsorber and introduced into the thermal oxidizer, by regenerative steam passed through the adsorber, to be oxidized in the thermal oxidizer during a regenerative cycle of prescribed duration, the apparatus comprising:a chamber for interposition between the adsorber and the thermal oxidizer, the chamber including an inlet for receiving incoming adsorbate-laden steam from the adsorber, and an outlet for passing outgoing adsorbate-laden steam to the thermal oxidizer;a condenser in the chamber between the inlet and the outlet for condensing a portion of the incoming adsorbate-laden steam during at least an initial period of the regenerative cycle to form an adsorbate-laden condensate, thereby reducing the concentration of adsorbates in the outgoing adsorbate-laden steam during at least the initial period of the regenerative cycle; andan evaporator for evaporating the adsorbate-laden condensate to form an adsorbate-laden stream for introduction into the thermal oxidizer during a subsequent period of the regenerative cycle;wherein the concentration of adsorbates introduced into the thermal oxidizer throughout the duration of the regenerative cycle is regulated to avoid excessive deviations from a selected average concentration of adsorbates, the regulated concentration of adsorbates enabling more efficient operation of the thermal oxidizer throughout the full duration of the regenerative cycle.