Thermal oxidizers are designed based on the volume of airflow, organic vapor concentrations, and desired destruction efficiency. During operation, hazardous air pollutant (HAP) and volatile organic compound (VOC) laden-air is drawn into the system fan and discharged into the inlet. Inside the inlet, the polluted air is typically preheated in the tube side of a shell-and-tube style heat exchanger.

Conversion to Water Vapor, Carbon Dioxide and Heat

The contaminated air passes by the burner where it is raised to the thermal oxidation temperature 1,200 to 1,800 ºF (650 to 1,000 ºC) for the specified residence time. This specified time is usually 0.5 to 2.0 seconds. Then, an exothermic reaction takes place. The pollutants are converted to water vapor, carbon dioxide, and heat within the reactor chamber.