Below are ten tips to ensure your oxidizer is operating at peak performance.
1. Know how much your Oxidizer is supposed to be costing you to operate.
With relatively minimal inputs, oxidizer vendors can run a performance model for you and give you the expected operating cost range for your oxidizer system.
2. Pay attention to the Percentages.
An average sized RTO operating for a full year at 93% TER verses 95% TER could cost upwards of an additional $65,000.00 a year! Get to know the critical parameters to watch as your system ages.
3. Know your VOC loads
Operating an oxidizer designed to handle a theoretical peak loading may be costing you much more than necessary for your actual day-to-day production loading.
4. Know what oxidizer system would be specified today in today’s energy conscious market.
5. Know what grant money is available to you
Across the globe, money has been earmarked for the specific purpose of funding energy reduction projects. Know what grant money is available to you, whom to contact, when and how to apply.
6. Concentrate High Volume Low VOC Airstreams prior to Oxidizer
If a significant portion of the air entering your oxidizer is at or near ambient temperature with low levels of VOC loading, a VOC concentrator may be applicable for reducing the heat input required by your oxidizer system.

7. Focus on Combustion Air
Combustion air, both in your oxidizer system or in your process burners, is often overlooked as a potential area for operating cost savings.
8. Improve Primary Heat Recovery
Oxidizers are typically designed with some form of internal heat recovery. Usually the hot purified gases leaving the combustion chamber are used to pre-heat the incoming solvent laden airstream. Projects that improve the primary heat recovery of an oxidizer system often offer the quickest payback because they provide additional heat recovery at all times the oxidizer is in service.
9. Consider Secondary Heat Recovery
Secondary heat recovery may be the best option for conserving the heat input to an oxidizer system. Heat exchangers can be added to the exhaust stack of an existing oxidizer to capture excess stack heat in air, water, or even steam.
10. Properly Maintain Existing Systems
Finally, no matter how well an overall system is designed, it cannot continue to operate at a high efficiency level without proper maintenance.