The rotor concentrator system is an auxiliary plant used alongside main emission treatment technologies when dealing with high air flow rates and low VOC concentrations. Its main purpose is to reduce the overall energy consumption of the emission treatment process
A rotor concentrator is typically installed when the polluted airflow volume is high and the concentration of VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) is relatively low.
This solution supports the following abatement stage, usually thermal oxidation, by concentrating pollutants and significantly optimizing the overall energy efficiency of the system.
Rotor concentrator: technical characteristics and advantages
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Suitable for high airflow rates and low VOC concentrations
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Electrical switchgear with PLC and remote assistance
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Reduced maintenance requirements
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Easy operation and management
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High purification efficiency (>95%)
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Pollutant concentration ratio up to 1:20
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Reduced pressure drops
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Adsorbent fireproof material
How does a rotor concentrator work?
The rotor concentration technology can be generally applied when it is needed to purify low VOC concentrations flows (up to 2,0 g/Nm³) or large airflows. In these cases, to optimise the plant operational costs, it is possible to concentrate the pollutants to be treated with the rotoconcentrator.
Prefiltration of the flow to be treated
It is very important to pay particular attention to the (often necessary) filtration of the gas effluent to be treated, as to avoid the concentration rotor clogging and adsorption efficiency reduction. For this purpose, a multistage filtration section is installed. In it, ensuring proper air speed reductions and the presence of proper filtering materials, the most of the dust is removed.
VOC adsorption, desorption and oxidation
In this phase the adsorption process takes place through a concentration rotor containing zeolites, which allows continuous pollutant adsorption while simultaneously regenerating part of the rotor.
The rotor concentrator is divided into different sections:
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adsorption sectior
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regeneration section (smaller in size)
The polluted air is conveyed by fans to the adsorption section of the rotor, where VOC molecules are retained through chemical-physical bonds with the zeolite adsorbent material.
The purified air is then discharged through the stack.
Through controlled heating of specific areas of the rotor concentrator, the adsorbed pollutants are released into a second airflow with a much lower flow rate but a higher concentration.
This concentrated stream is then treated by a thermal oxidation system, which may be:
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recuperative
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catalytic
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regenerative
Selecting the correct final oxidation system can allow the plant to reach self-sustaining operating conditions, significantly reducing auxiliary fuel consumption.
Rotor concentrator: a flexible technology
- Dedicated dusts prefiltration systems
- Special zeolites selection in order to reduce the polymerisation of some pollutants or to deal with specific technical problems
- Desorption system choice flexibility according to the concentrated flow abatement technology (direct, catalytic, recuperative, regenerative thermal oxidizers)
- Ad hoc design in case of space limitations
- Turnkey supply
