Multiple-bed thermal oxidizer control damper system

A thermal oxidizer flow control system for controlling flow to three regenerator beds comprising:

• an inlet damper having first and second chambers, the first chamber receiving process gas inlet flow and having a communication path with a first regenerator bed and a communication path to the second chamber;
• a first damper blade means mounted in the inlet damper for movably positioning in a first position interrupting the communication path between the first chamber and second chamber and a second position interrupting the communication path to the first regenerator bed,
• the second chamber having a communication path to a second regenerator bed and a communication path to a third regenerator bed;
• a second damper blade means mounted in the inlet damper for movably positioning in a first position interrupting the communication path to the third regenerator bed and a second position interrupting the communication path with a second regenerator bed;
• an exhaust damper having a body with first and second chambers, the first chamber having a communication path with an exhaust means and further, having a communication path with the first regenerator bed and communication path with the second chamber of the exhaust path,
• a third damper blade means mounted in the exhaust damper for movably positioning in a first position interrupting the communication path with the second chamber of the exhaust damper and a second position interrupting the communication path to the first regenerator bed,
• the second chamber of the exhaust damper having a communication path with the second regenerator bed and a communication path with the third regenerator bed;
• a third damper blade means for movably positioning in a first position interrupting the communication path with the third regenerator and a second position interrupting the communication path with the second regenerator bed;
• and
• control means for positioning the first, second, third and fourth damper blades for communication by the inlet damper valve with the first regenerator bed in combination with communication by the exhaust damper with the second regenerator bed during a first cycle, communication by the inlet damper with the second regenerator bed and the outlet damper with the third regenerator bed in a second cycle and communication through the inlet damper to the third regenerator bed with communication through the exhaust damper to the first regenerator bed in a third cycle.

A damper for controlling flow in a regenerative thermal oxidizer, having three regenerator beds, the damper comprising:

• a body having first and second chambers, the first chamber having a first wall with a first aperture therein for communication with an external flow path and a second wall with a second aperture therein for communication with a first regenerator bed, the second chamber having a third wall with a third aperture for communication with a second regenerator bed and a fourth wall with a fourth aperture therein for communication with a third regenerator bed;
• a septum intermediate the first and second chambers and containing a fifth aperture;
• a first damper blade pivotally mounted at a vertex created by the septum and the second wall;
• means for pivoting the first damper blade between a first position covering and sealing the fifth aperture in the septum and a second position covering and sealing the second aperture;
• a second damper blade pivotally mounted at a vertex of the third wall in the second chamber and the fourth wall in the second chamber;
• and
• means for pivoting the second damper blade between a first position covering and sealing the fourth aperture and a second position covering and sealing the third aperture.