IQS Newsroom Articles on Oxidizers
Oxidizers
An oxidizer is a chemical that readily yields oxygen or that vigorously promotes oxidation reactions or combustion of organic, or typically non-flammable, materials. Oxidizers are often used to start fires, or make them burn faster and hotter, by giving oxygen to the fuel. Oxidizers are used as a method of pollution control for process air containing small particles of combustible solids or liquids. Since exhaust air in industrial settings may be highly polluted, it makes sense to oxidize or burn as much of it as possible so that the exhaust consists of little soot.
Although there are many variations within the area of oxidizers, the two main types are thermal oxidizers and catalytic oxidizers. Thermal oxidizers are the most common and may be either recuperative or regenerative. Volatile organic compounds (VOC) are combined with high temperatures in thermal oxidizers and the discharge stays in the waste air. Catalytic oxidizers, on the other hand, use low temperatures and a catalyst (a chemical-reaction agent) to achieve clean air.
Typical industrial manufacturers that use thermal oxidizers or catalytic oxidizers are those dealing in solvent-based adhesives, coatings, inks and primers or hot-air and infrared dryers. Fume oxidizers manage visible smoke and exhaust-air odors. Oxidizers help to clean exhaust air, thus reducing air pollution and helping the environment.