FORMATION OF NO{sub}x FROM WASTE GAS STREAM TO A THERMAL OXIDIZER AT HIGH TEMPERATURES AND ITS IMPACT ON ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE

摘要

In many industries throughout the world, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are effectively destroyed by catalytic or thermal oxidizers. In majority of the cases, the waste gas stream acts as a fuel source in order to decrease the energy costs associated with maintaining the temperature of the incinerators. The waste gas stream also contains nitrogen from the air and hence helps in the formation of NO{sub}x. This NO{sub}x formation is governed by the Zeldovich mechanism and can exponentially increase in a particular temperature and pressure range. NO{sub}x emissions are commonly calculated for the amount of natural gas (primary fuel) used in the incinerators. But the NO{sub}x generated during the combustion of waste gas (VOC laden gas stream) is also of great importance while reporting the NO{sub}x emissions for compliance purposes. This paper attempts to discuss the emission of NO{sub}x from a waste gas stream containing VOCs to a regenerative thermal oxidizer and its implication on compliance issues.