The rotor concentrator is a variable flow rate adsorption plant for the continuous elimination of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from a low concentration air flow, via the adsorption of VOCs with waterproof zeolite adsorbent material and later release of the VOCs in a reduced heated air flow, but more concentrated, for subsequent treatment.

Roto-concentrator technical working diagram. airTReco 's Roto-concentrator diagram

Operation layout

The low VOCs concentration air enters the inlet chamber through a filter which removes the excess dust and particles. From the inlet chamber the air passes through the rotor where the VOCs are adsorbed, then the purified air reaches the outlet chamber and via specific pipes, is released into the air.

The adsorbed VOCs, are removed from the rotor by passing a reduced flow of hot air through part of the rotor in the opposite direction of the main air flow to be treated, with the result of obtaining a reduced air flow but with a high VOCs concentration (the concentration ratios which can be obtained range from 5 to 1 to 15 to 1).

The air flow used for this operation is tapped upstream from the rotor, and is the same which guarantees the rotor cooling phase after regeneration (see the operating diagram).

The further treatment to which the concentrated flow is treated is an incineration process. Normally a regenerative-thermal plant is used for this purpose.

ADVANTAGE OF THE ROTOR CONCENTRATOR

Thanks to the suitably reduced and concentrated flow of air to be treated, it is possible to use a combustor that is considerably smaller than those required when there is not roto concentrator.

This results in an economical advantage from the viewpoint of energy savings relative to combustor management (self-supporting of the incineration/combustion system).

Image of airTReco 's Roto-concentrator wheel for VOCs absorbing

Roto-concentrator plants - References

Activity: Painting, Impregnation, Headlamp painting, Plastic, wood and metal industrial painting, Automotive, Shipyards, Eyeglass manufacturer, Pinting manufacturer, Resin and similar manufacturer, Flexographic industry, Printing industry, Fiberglass processing

Pollutant: Various solvents, Styrene

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Image detail of airTReco 's Roto-concentrator for combustor reduction for VOCs abatement and self-supporting

The rotor concentrator is a plant for continuous elimination of VOCs used when there's an high air flow with low solvent concentration.

Thanks to the reduced and concentrate air flow to be treated the roto-concentratore allows to use a combustor that is considerably smaller, ensuring an economic advantage from the point of view of energy saving relative to combustor management, up to thesystem self-supporting of purification/combustion. It also reduce the system pressure as required legislation.

Operating

Phase 1: pre-filtering

The low VOCs concentration air enters the inlet chamber through a filter which removes the excess dust and particles.
It's required an evaluation of the particles in the air flow to be treated, in order to save the wheel. In this case is needed a multistage low speed filter.

Phase 2: adsorbing

From the inlet chamber the air passes through the rotor where the VOCs are adsorbed. The air, flow thru the zeolite that has the ability to absorbe the solvents and purify the air, at precise temperature and humidity.

Phase 3: desorbing

The adsorbed VOCs, are removed from the rotor by passing a reduced flow of hot air through part of the rotor in the opposite direction of the main air flow to be treated. After air stipping, the air loaded with solvent is sent to thermal oxidation for the purification process.

Roto-concentrator: variable flow rate absorption plant

Efficiency and Flexibility; able to self-supporting