【VOC Countermeasures for Painting Factories】Why RTO Operating Costs Cannot Be Compared by Initial Cost Alone

For painting factories in Thailand, addressing VOC emissions and odors is an important issue from the perspectives of consideration for the surrounding environment and stable factory operations.

When installing exhaust gas treatment equipment, attention tends to focus on the purchase price and installation cost. However, an RTO is equipment that continues to operate after installation, and fuel consumption as well as periodic maintenance also affect operating costs.

Therefore, when selecting an RTO, it is important to compare not only the initial cost, but also the heat recovery mechanism, fuel consumption, and maintenance frequency.

Are you currently facing higher-than-expected running costs or maintenance burdens?

Table of Contents

• VOC Countermeasures and RTOs for Painting Factories
• Why RTOs Cannot Be Compared by Initial Cost Alone
• How Regenerative RTOs Reduce Fuel Consumption
• RTO Operation Support by CHUGAI RO (THAILAND)
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Keywords for Understanding This Article

■　VOC Countermeasures and RTOs for Painting Factories

Painting processes for automobiles and industrial parts may generate exhaust gas containing volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Such exhaust gas needs to be appropriately managed and treated from the perspectives of consideration for the surrounding environment and odor control.

One countermeasure is an RTO (Regenerative Thermal Oxidizer). An RTO treats exhaust gas containing VOCs by oxidizing and decomposing them at high temperatures, while also recovering and reusing the heat generated during the process.

■　Why RTOs Cannot Be Compared by Initial Cost Alone

When introducing an RTO, the first items that are easy to compare are the equipment purchase price and installation cost.

However, an RTO is equipment that operates over a long period of time, and fuel and maintenance costs continue to be incurred after installation. Therefore, the actual operating burden cannot be assessed based on the initial cost alone.

When making comparisons, at least the following points should be checked:

• Heat recovery mechanism
• Fuel consumption
• Maintenance frequency
• Maintenance support after installation

Comparing not only the equipment price but also the operation after installation is important when considering long-term costs.

■　How Regenerative RTOs Reduce Fuel Consumption

In an RTO, heat storage media are used to recover the heat generated during exhaust gas treatment and reuse it in the next treatment cycle. For example, a single-tower multi-chamber RTO has three or more heat storage chambers and repeatedly switches valves to perform exhaust gas intake, treated gas discharge, and purging.

After the process gas receives heat from the heat storage media, it is oxidized and decomposed at high temperature in the combustion chamber. The treated clean gas then transfers heat to another heat storage medium, and that heat is reused in the next treatment cycle.

This heat recovery mechanism enables VOC treatment while reducing fuel consumption.

When comparing RTOs, not only the equipment price but also this type of heat recovery mechanism should be checked.

■　RTO Operation Support by CHUGAI RO (THAILAND)

CHUGAI RO (THAILAND) provides sales, installation support, and maintenance services for RTOs used for VOC and odor countermeasures. When selecting an RTO, it is necessary to consider not only the initial cost, but also fuel consumption, the heat recovery mechanism, treatment air volume, and the conditions of the VOCs to be treated.

In addition, equipment operation does not end with installation. To maintain stable operation continuously, the maintenance system after installation is also an important factor in the decision-making process. CHUGAI RO (THAILAND) performs periodic maintenance once or twice a year while checking the condition of the RTO. Understanding the maintenance frequency in advance also makes it easier to prepare an annual maintenance plan.

If you have concerns regarding VOC and odor countermeasures, RTO installation, or maintenance of an existing RTO, please consult CHUGAI RO (THAILAND).

■　Frequently Asked Questions

Q1 : What are the VOC decomposition efficiency and airflow capacity of a single-tower multi-chamber RTO?
A1 : The decomposition efficiency of a single-tower multi-chamber RTO is 98% or higher, and it can handle large airflow volumes of up to 3,000 m³/min.

Q2 : What is the role of Air Burn Mode?
A2 : It is a function that can be set to prevent substances such as tar from baking onto the equipment.

Q3 : How frequently does an RTO require maintenance?
A3 : RTOs handled by CHUGAI RO (THAILAND) CO., LTD. can be operated with maintenance performed once or twice a year.

■　Keywords for Understanding This Article

• VOC
  Volatile Organic Compounds. They may be generated during manufacturing processes such as painting and are substances targeted for treatment by RTOs.
• RTO
  Regenerative Thermal Oxidizer. It oxidizes and decomposes VOCs at high temperatures and recovers and reuses heat through heat storage media.
• Decomposition Efficiency of 98% or Higher
  A figure indicating the VOC decomposition performance of a single-tower multi-chamber RTO.

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