Regenerative Thermal Oxidizers for Coffee Roasting

RTO’s for Coffee Roasting Companies

Everybody likes a steaming cup of coffee. But do you know the processes that go into producing your favorite brand of roasted coffee? You may be surprised to learn that coffee roasting is a delicate process that produces potentially harmful compounds.

These compounds, cumulatively called Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), include nitrogen, alcohol, and sulphur. Since the law frowns on the practice of releasing hazardous gases into the atmosphere, coffee roasting companies turn to purification methods to rid their waste of toxic compounds.

One of the most effective ways to treat VOC and odorous emissions is by using a regenerative thermal oxidizer (RTO). Here is all you need to know about this oxidation process and its two most significant advantages.

What is a RTO for coffee roasters?

Simply put, a regenerative thermal oxidizer (RTO) is a combustion system used to break down hazardous gaseous waste into carbon dioxide and water.

The cleansing process begins with heating the combustion section of the RTO to a set temperature. Toxic gas is then drawn into the machine using a fan, typically located at the lower area of the chamber. It is propelled into a regeneration column that has heat-absorbing media like ceramic.

The gas is preheated in the column before going into the heating chamber with temperatures above 1500ºF. Here, it is broken down into carbon dioxide and water by the heat.

It then descends into another regeneration column that has heat-absorbing media. In this cold column, heat from the oxidized gases is absorbed by the ceramic, and cold, clean gas is expelled from the system.

The heat absorbed in the cooling column is then transferred to the preheating column, where it is used to preheat the incoming toxic gases.

The Advantages of RTOs

Perhaps the most significant advantage that a regenerative thermal oxidizer for coffee roasting has over other odor and pollution control technologies is its high thermal effectiveness. Research shows that an RTO reutilizes between 95% and 97% of heat in the preheating column. What this means for coffee manufacturers is that they can save colossal amounts of money on their operational and utility costs by installing a Ship & Shore RTO.

The second advantage of RTOs is that they adequately oxidize harmful gases into carbon dioxide and water. This is not only safer for the environment, but it also complies with EPA standards, meaning you will not face any issues with the regulatory authority over environmental pollution.

You ought to pay close attention to the quality of RTO that you buy since not all RTOs are created equal. Some, like those made by Ship & Shore Environmental, boost your efficiency better than others. This makes them top-of-the-shelf products that will prove invaluable to your coffee roasting business.