Catalytic Oxidizer 
(wk-CTOX)

Catalytic Oxidizers — Low-Temperature VOC and HAP Destruction

WK’s Catalytic Oxidizer enables VOC destruction and industrial air pollution control at operating temperatures of 300–450°C, substantially lower than conventional thermal oxidation. The CTOX uses a precious metal or base metal catalyst to enable the oxidation of volatile organic compounds and hazardous air pollutants. It’s lower operating temperature is the defining advantage of catalytic oxidation, reducing auxiliary fuel consumption and delivering low NOx and CO emissions with a greater than 99% destruction efficiency. 

WK supplies catalytic oxidizers in recuperative and regenerative configurations, with gas-fired and electrically heated options. 

  • Recuperative catalytic oxidizer: a metallic heat exchanger preheats the inlet stream using heat from the treated exhaust. 
  • Regenerative catalytic oxidizer: ceramic heat transfer media in alternating canisters perform the same heat recovery function as in a thermal RTO, preheating the inlet air to catalyst bed inlet temperature with high efficiency.
CONTACT US

Performance Parameters

  • Operating temperature: typically 300–450°C at catalyst bed inlet (versus 750–900°C for thermal oxidation)
  • Destruction efficiency: greater than 99%
  • NOx emissions: ultra-low, inherently lower than thermal systems
  • CO emissions: ultra-low
  • Heat recovery configurations: recuperative (metallic heat exchanger) or regenerative (ceramic media)
  • Heating options: gas-fired, electrically heated
  • Energy recovery options: secondary heat exchanger, steam boiler, superheater integration available
  • Exhaust stream analysis: VOC composition review and catalyst poison assessment conducted prior to system specification

CTOX or Thermal Oxidizer —

When Is Catalytic Oxidation the Right Choice?

The principal advantages of catalytic oxidation over thermal oxidation are lower operating temperature, lower fuel consumption, lower NOx formation and suitability for applications with very stringent combined VOC and combustion emission limits. These advantages apply most clearly when the exhaust stream VOC composition is well defined and stable, when catalyst poisons are absent or manageable by design and when the emission profile required includes simultaneous control of VOCs, NOx and CO.

Ultra-Low NOx and CO Emissions

A significant advantage of catalytic oxidation over thermal oxidation in applications with stringent emission limits is the inherently low formation of NOx and CO as combustion by-products. Because the catalyst enables oxidation at temperatures below the threshold at which significant thermal NOx forms, NOx emissions from the stack are substantially lower than those achievable from a comparably sized thermal system operating without additional NOx abatement equipment.

Ready To Discuss Your Project Requirements?

We offer industry expertise to design, implement and support your air pollution control system or energy recovery needs. 

CONTACT OUR TEAM