Thermal Recuperative Oxidizers are used primarily where the organic emissions are very heavy. Recuperative thermal oxidizers with secondary heat exchangers are also used in conjunction with concentartors when the VOC concentration is very high.Destruction effeciencies in excess of 99 % are easily achievable. Recuperative thermal oxidizers are also popular when the emissions contain chlorinated solvent, sulfides, silicones, and heavy metals such as lead, mercury or zinc. Chlorinated materials may require special alloy and refractory construction.

Solvent laden air is introduced through the primary heat exchanger. Pre-heating assures a uniform temperature throughout the thermal bed and prevents thermal stressing of the system. The solvent vapors exit the heat exchanger, pass through the burner chamber and enter the reactor bed. The thermal reaction oxidizes the hydrocarbons in the air stream and causes additional temperature rise. The exhaust from the reactor bed passes through the heat exchanger and is exhausted to the atmosphere. When the exhaust temperature from the thermal reactor bed is sufficient to preheat the supply of solvent laden air, the gas burner shuts down and the thermal process continues in a self-sustaining state. Electronic interlocks automatically control the operation of the modulating by-pass damper and burner to maintain proper operation temperature regardless of fluctuations in the solvent content of the process exhaust.
Recuperative oxidizers comes with tubular as well as plate type heat exchangers.