Thermal Desorption
ECCO TDUs are designed with minimal solids in recovered oil & low diesel cracking.
With a ECCO® Drying Systems Thermal Desorption Unit, contaminated material is exposed to heat indirectly by slow
contact with a slowly turning drum that is exposed to heat on the outer shell. Vaporized contaminants are separated
from the solids in the sludge, resulting in an end product that can be disposed of easily and cost-effectively.
Main Process Components
1. Feed System
Live bottom feeder, incline screw conveyor, knife gate airlock valves, kiln feed screw conveyor.
The hydrocarbon contaminated feed is placed in the feed hopper, which includes a live bottom feeder. This live bottom feeder is VFD controlled in order to meter the feed into the system. The feed exits the live bottom feeder and travels via the transfer screw conveyor to two double knife gate airlock valves. These airlocks prohibit the flow of outside air into the process chamber, allowing the feed material to be introduced into the primary thermal treatment unit into a completely oxygen deficient environment.
The hydrocarbon contaminated feed is placed in the feed hopper, which includes a live bottom feeder. This live bottom feeder is VFD controlled in order to meter the feed into the system. The feed exits the live bottom feeder and travels via the transfer screw conveyor to two double knife gate airlock valves. These airlocks prohibit the flow of outside air into the process chamber, allowing the feed material to be introduced into the primary thermal treatment unit into a completely oxygen deficient environment.
2. Primary Thermal Desorption Unit
Indirect fired stainless steel rotary kiln with combustion chamber, gas or oil fired burners, gear drive powered by an electric motor.
This indirect fired rotary dryer has multiple zones, each with independent temperature controls. The drum is heated on the outside in order to maintain the integrity of the feed. Heat is transferred into the feed through conduction as the material is conveyed through the drum. The kiln operates in an oxygen deficient and slightly negative atmosphere. As the feed is heated, hydrocarbons, devolatized from the feed, are pulled out of the system in a counter-current direction to the material flow.
This indirect fired rotary dryer has multiple zones, each with independent temperature controls. The drum is heated on the outside in order to maintain the integrity of the feed. Heat is transferred into the feed through conduction as the material is conveyed through the drum. The kiln operates in an oxygen deficient and slightly negative atmosphere. As the feed is heated, hydrocarbons, devolatized from the feed, are pulled out of the system in a counter-current direction to the material flow.
3. First Stage Oil Condenser
Oil condenser with tank, spray nozzle, cooling loop
Vapors from the thermal processor pass through an oil condenser. The oil condenser removes most hydrocarbons in the vapor stream. This recovered oil is cooled and pumped to the client's supplied storage tanks.
Vapors from the thermal processor pass through an oil condenser. The oil condenser removes most hydrocarbons in the vapor stream. This recovered oil is cooled and pumped to the client's supplied storage tanks.
4. Second Stage Water Condenser
Water condenser with tank, spray nozzle, air cooled heat exchangers.
After passing through the oil condenser, the vapor stream typically contains water vapor and very light hydrocarbons. This vapor is passed through a second stage water condenser in order to knock out water and other condensables
After passing through the oil condenser, the vapor stream typically contains water vapor and very light hydrocarbons. This vapor is passed through a second stage water condenser in order to knock out water and other condensables
5. Oil Water Separator
Steel construction with float level.
The condensate from the second stage water condenser is pumped through a cooling loop and into an oil water separator, where residual oils are removed from the water.
The condensate from the second stage water condenser is pumped through a cooling loop and into an oil water separator, where residual oils are removed from the water.
6. Polishing Condenser
Mist eliminator and condenser with tank.
7. Thermal Oxidizer
Gas or oil fired burners and induced draft fan.
The non-condensable gases are pulled from the second stage by an induced draft fan and pushed into the thermal oxidizer.
The non-condensable gases are pulled from the second stage by an induced draft fan and pushed into the thermal oxidizer.
8. Discharge System
Knife gate airlock valves, discharge cooling incline conveyor. More Info
The residual solids are cleaned to the customer's requested standard, typically determined by regulatory requirements. Residual solids are usually cleaned to less than 1000 H.C. PPM for refinery waste applications and 5000 H.C. PPM for drill cuttings. Residual solids leave the process chamber and are discharged into a solids cooling conveyor. This cooling conveyor is typically a hydration screw utilizing atomized water to cool the solids before being discharged.
