What is the Difference Between a Regenerative Thermal Oxidizer and a Recuperative Thermal Oxidizer?

The main difference between a Regenerative Thermal Oxidizer (RTO) and Recuperative Thermal Oxidizer is the different methods they use for heat recovery in the system. Regenerative Oxidizers pass hot exhaust gas and cooler inlet gas through one or more “heat exchanger beds” containing ceramic media. Recuperative Oxidizers pass hot exhaust through an air-to-air heat exchanger–typically through a shell and tube heat exchanger design–to heat the cooler inlet gas.