Thermal raw gas treatment device

Abstract

The invention relates to a thermal raw gas treatment device (10) which can be used for example as a thermal exhaust air purification system (TAR) or a thermal post-combustion system (TNV), advantageously having multiple burners modules (12n), each of which has a combustion chamber (14n), a burner (19) that is connected to the combustion chamber (14n) in order to combust pollutants contained in a raw gas to be purified, a raw gas inlet (21) for introducing the raw gas to be cleaned into the combustion chamber (14n) through the burner (19), and a purified gas outlet (22) for discharging a purified gas, wherein the plurality of burner modules (12n) are coupled together via respective connection flanges (15), and at least some of the connection flanges (15) of the plurality of burner modules (12n) have a respective through-opening (16) in order to connect the combustion chambers of the burner modules (12n) coupled together in order to form a common combustion chamber.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a thermal raw gas treatment device, for example usable as a thermal exhaust air purification system (TARS) or a thermal afterburner (TBW). Such thermal raw gas treatment devices can be used, for example, for cleaning pollutants from exhaust air from a workpiece processing plant (e.g., a car body painting plant), for low-grade gas combustion (e.g., in landfill or biogas environments, etc.), for generating inert gas, for example, for the desorption of zeolite concentrators, but also for various other purposes or other plants.

[0002] Thermal exhaust air purification (TAR) systems are typically designed to meet applicable legal requirements for removing hydrocarbons from exhaust air, for example, from drying systems, as part of air pollution control measures. Traditional TAR systems consist of a burner and a combustion chamber. Due to their function, the combustion chamber must be designed to withstand high combustion temperatures, making it very complex and expensive (e.g., using high-grade steels). To prevent downtime of workpiece processing equipment due to TAR system failures and to adapt the TAR systems to changing air conditions within the processing equipment, conventional TAR systems often need to be replaced, which is very time-consuming and costly.The design of the TAR system generally has to be based on maximum values, which places considerable demands on the part-load capability of the systems when there are significant fluctuations in volume flows and / or their pollutant loads. Achieving a satisfactory combination of the air volume to be treated and the emission limits across the entire range is often technically impossible or only possible with considerable effort in the burner control. US 5,240,403 A also proposed designing the thermal raw gas treatment device with multiple burner modules, each with a combustion chamber and burner, and raw gas inlet and clean gas outlet. US 5,240,403 A discloses the features of the preamble of the first claim.

[0003] The object of the invention is to create an even more improved thermal raw gas treatment device that avoids at least one of the problems mentioned above in conventional TAR systems.

[0004] This problem is solved by the thermal raw gas treatment device defined in independent claim 1. Particularly advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are the subject of dependent claims.

[0005] The thermal raw gas treatment device comprises several burner modules, each with a combustion chamber containing a combustion chamber for treating raw gas, a burner connected to the combustion chamber for burning off pollutants contained in the raw gas to be cleaned (e.g., oxidation of hydrocarbons in exhaust air from a dryer system), a raw gas inlet for introducing the raw gas to be cleaned through the burner into the combustion chamber, and a clean gas outlet for conveying a cleaned gas. The multiple raw gas inlets of the multiple burner modules can be connected individually or in groups to a respective raw gas supply line, and the multiple clean gas outlets of the multiple burner modules can be connected individually or in groups to a respective clean gas discharge line.According to the invention, the multiple burner modules are each coupled to one another via connecting flanges, wherein at least a portion of the connecting flanges of the multiple burner modules each has a through-opening through which the combustion chambers of the respective coupled burner modules are connected to one another to form a common combustion chamber. According to the invention, at least one burner of one of the multiple burner modules is designed as a recuperative burner, which has a raw gas inlet and a clean gas outlet and a heat transfer system for transferring heat from the outgoing clean gas to the incoming raw gas.

[0006] The proposed modularity of the thermal raw gas treatment device offers several advantages. For example, the modularity allows for easier performance adjustments, maintenance, cleaning, and repairs of the TAR system, as individual burner modules can be added or removed relatively easily and preferably also controlled individually. Furthermore, the presence of multiple burners in the modular device provides redundant combustion, ensuring reliable operation of the TAR system. Additionally, during partial load operation, the individual active burner modules can be swapped, i.e., preferably operated alternately, thus achieving a more even distribution of loads across the multiple burners.

[0007] The proposed coupling of the combustion chambers into a single combustion chamber allows for gas exchange between the individual burner modules, thus ensuring uniform heating. This shared combustion chamber also enables, for example, the necessary purging / pre-ventilation of all combustion chambers to be carried out jointly. Optionally, this connection of the combustion chambers can be designed so that the passage openings can be closed off by a shut-off device (e.g., a flap or a slide valve).

[0008] Preferably, all or most of the burners of the modular raw gas treatment device are designed as recuperative burners. In this context, the invention is not limited to any specific design of the heat transfer system integrated in / on the burner. Furthermore, the use of recuperative burners eliminates the need for an additional heat recovery measure in the combustion chambers, or at least significantly reduces its size compared to a design of the modular raw gas treatment device without recuperative burners.

[0009] By forming a common combustion chamber for all combustion chambers, the entire device can be preheated to the required minimum reaction temperature (e.g., approximately 750°C) for the safe / effective treatment of the raw gas, for example, using only one burner as a preheating burner. In a preferred embodiment, the raw gas treatment device for heating the common combustion chamber to the minimum reaction temperature further comprises at least one heating device (e.g., an electric or electromagnetic heating device or a switchable high-temperature heat source of another type, such as a preheating burner) for heating the common combustion chamber of the coupled burner modules, which is coupled in the region of the common combustion chamber, for example, to the combustion chamber of one of the several burner modules.Preferably, the raw gas treatment device contains only a single heating device, which is sufficient when all combustion chambers share a common combustion chamber. Preferably, the heating device includes safety technology for monitoring the presence of a flame (e.g., a photocell for flame monitoring). When using such a heating device, the burners of the multiple burner modules can be configured more simply and controlled more easily, since they do not need to be used as heating burners and do not require safety technology for monitoring the heating process. During the heating of the common combustion chamber—depending on the embodiment—either by one burner acting as a heating burner or by the heating device, the other burners or all burners of the burner modules remain switched off.

[0010] Optionally, each of the multiple burner modules also has a gas inlet for introducing a fuel (e.g., natural gas) into the respective burner, so that the raw gas to be cleaned can then be introduced into the combustion chamber of the respective combustion chamber together with the fuel. Alternatively, it can also be provided that each of the multiple burner modules also has an inlet for introducing a liquid fuel and preferably a suitable injection device for injecting the liquid fuel into the respective burner.

[0011] Optionally, each of the multiple burner modules is equipped with a valve device for selectively opening or closing, and optionally also for throttling, the respective raw gas inlet. These valve devices can be controlled independently of one another. This allows the total volume of air from the raw gas to be cleaned to be distributed among a suitable number of the available burner modules, ensuring that each burner in the module receives at least a minimum and at most a maximum air volume for burner operation. If fuel gas inlets are also present, such valve devices are preferably also provided for selectively opening or closing, and optionally also for throttling, the respective gas inlet.

[0012] Preferably, the burners of the multiple burner modules can be controlled independently of one another, either individually or in groups, allowing the burners to be operated or configured individually or in groups. This allows, for example, a reduction in the number of activated burners when the total air volume of the raw gas to be cleaned is lower, enabling the individual burners to operate within their optimal ranges and thus saving energy. Another benefit is that exhaust air can be treated without gas admixture in this way, such as when operating with a concentration system. Furthermore, if no other heating device is provided, the interconnected combustion chambers allow the function as a preheating burner to be reduced to just one burner or at least a smaller number of burners, thereby also saving energy.In other words, with the modularity according to the invention, individual burner modules can be switched off, thus achieving variable power output. The following operating mode is particularly advantageous when operating the raw gas treatment device with a concentrator. The exhaust air from the concentrator, which can reach concentrations above 25% LEL (Lower Explosive Limit) without the addition of gas, is introduced via the burner of one of the several burner modules, while the burner of another burner module is operated, for example, with a mixture of exhaust air from the concentrator and gas. This can be particularly advantageous for a concentrator operating in so-called split mode.In this process, energy can be supplied to heat the desorption via a bypass module of the raw gas treatment device, which will be explained later, or the air conditions can be regulated so that the recuperated air from the burner has the required temperature for desorption (for zeolite, for example, 200°C to 220°C).

[0013] In addition to or as an alternative to the independent controllability of the burners of the multiple burner modules described above, the individual burners can also be designed and controlled in multiple stages. The stages can, for example, be composed of burner elements arranged in a ring-like, segmented (in particular circularly and / or radially segmented) and / or patterned configurations, and preferably be controllable independently of one another. It is also possible for the stages to comprise identical or at least partially differing numbers of burner elements.

[0014] In one embodiment of the invention, the thermal raw gas treatment device further comprises at least one air volume sensing device for measuring the total air volume of the raw gas to be cleaned. In this way, the TAR system can automatically adjust its operation to the volume of raw gas being cleaned. The at least one air volume sensing device can, for example, comprise differential pressure sensors across each burner, a differential pressure sensor across all burner modules, or a flow rate sensor in a common raw gas supply line.

[0015] In one embodiment of the invention, the burner modules are supported on a common base frame, with at least one of the multiple burner modules being mounted on the base frame via a sliding bearing. The sliding bearings allow for compensation of thermal expansion of the respective burner modules and enable the burner modules to be easily pulled apart or pushed together for maintenance, cleaning, and repair work. Preferably, an extension frame is also attached to the base frame, allowing the burner modules to be pushed apart by means of the sliding bearings, thus increasing the possible range of motion and facilitating the addition of further burner modules.

[0016] In one embodiment of the invention, at least one burner module of the multiple burner modules further comprises a hot gas outlet for venting hot gas from the respective combustion chamber, which can be connected to a hot gas line. This burner module can be referred to as a "bypass module." By venting hot gas from the combustion chambers, it is possible to extract energy from the combustion chamber to prevent overheating, or to supply additional energy from the combustion chamber to the clean gas and / or other heat exchangers (e.g., for heating the workpiece processing system). Such a bypass module is preferably mounted directly (i.e., without sliding bearings) on the base frame, and the burner of such a bypass module can preferably be designed with less or no recuperative operation.Alternatively or additionally, it may also be possible to design such a bypass module as an add-on module without its own burner, which can be coupled to at least one burner module via at least one connection flange.

[0017] In one embodiment of the invention, the burners are connected to the top of their respective combustion chambers and extend downwards into them. This is particularly advantageous when the burners have integrated heat transfer systems. At high temperatures, the burners suspended at the top can expand slightly downwards vertically into the combustion chambers without impairing their functionality, without altering the distances between the burners or elements of the heat transfer systems (in particular, without reducing them), and without experiencing forces acting against them. Furthermore, this design can also promote the settling of solids and / or condensates from the raw gas, which can occur, for example, in certain paint systems during the combustion process.In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a discharge device, arranged essentially at the bottom, for the permanent or intermittent discharge of solids and / or condensates can be provided in at least one of the combustion chambers and / or in a bypass module and / or in an additional module. Such a discharge device can, for example, comprise a mechanical conveying device (e.g., a screw conveyor), a suction device, and / or a flushing device. In an alternative embodiment, the burners can also be attached to the bottom of the combustion chambers and project upwards into the combustion chambers, expanding slightly vertically upwards at high temperatures. This embodiment can be particularly advantageous if the raw gas treatment device according to the invention is elevated, for example, installed on a support frame or roof.In this case, the discharge device for the permanent or phased discharge of solids and / or condensates is preferably provided in an additional module.

[0018] In one embodiment of the invention, at least one of the several burner modules has an injection device for injecting an additive for the cleaning process of the raw gas into the respective combustion chamber. The additive is, for example, an auxiliary substance for selective non-catalytic reduction (SNCR), for example, for cleaning nitrogen-containing raw gases.

[0019] In one embodiment of the invention, at least one of the several burner modules has one or more temperature sensing devices (e.g., temperature sensors such as thermocouples, IR sensors, pyrometers, etc.) for measuring the temperature in the respective combustion chamber, in the passage to the adjacent combustion chamber, and / or near the respective burner. In this context, "near the burner" means an arrangement at a distance of preferably about 50 to 500 mm from the end of the respective burner. This temperature measurement allows, for example, the monitoring and / or control of the burner's operating conditions. Particularly in connection with the temperature sensing devices near the burners, which depend on the loading method of the respective burner, the burners can preferably also each have a thermocouple for controlling the burner temperature (e.g., by regulating the fuel).

[0020] In one embodiment of the invention, the burners of the burner modules each have a substantially circular or elliptical or polygonal (e.g. rectangular, hexagonal, octagonal) cross-sectional shape, which provides advantages in terms of fluid dynamics, especially in recuperative burners.

[0021] In a further embodiment of the invention, the modular thermal raw gas treatment device can also have at least one additional module without its own burner, which is coupled between two of the several burner modules and whose interior space is connected via through-openings to the combustion chambers of the adjacent combustion chambers to form a common interior space.The additional module has at least one additional function for the raw gas treatment device, selected from: (a) enlarging the common combustion chamber of the combustion chambers; (b) compensating for dimensional changes (in particular, thermally induced changes in length) of the device; (c) transferring heat from the clean gas in the common interior to another fluid outside the device; (d) hot gas discharge; (e) heat storage; (f) catalyst; (g) discharge of fluids and / or particles from the common interior; (h) injecting additives into the common interior; and (i) adsorbing or absorbing pollutants from the interior. Alternatively or additionally, the thermal raw gas treatment device may also have at least one additional module without its own burner, which is coupled to an outer of the multiple burner modules.This additional module also has at least one additional function, selected from: (a) enlarging the combustion chamber of the adjacent combustion chamber; (b) compensating for dimensional changes (especially thermally induced length changes) of the device; (c) transferring heat from the clean gas in the combustion chamber of the adjacent combustion chamber to another fluid outside the device; (d) hot gas discharge; (e) heat storage; (f) catalyst; (g) discharge of fluids and / or particles from the combustion chamber of the adjacent combustion chamber; (h) injecting additives into the combustion chamber of the adjacent combustion chamber; and (i) adsorbing or absorbing pollutants from the combustion chamber of the adjacent combustion chamber.

[0022] The thermal raw gas treatment device of the invention can be configured in various structural forms, which are preferable depending on the application. In one embodiment, the burner modules each have a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape, so that they can be coupled together along a substantially straight line, thus forming a device with a substantially rectangular overall cross-sectional shape. In another embodiment, the burner modules each have a pie-shaped cross-sectional shape, so that they can be coupled together along a substantially circular line, thus forming a device with a substantially circular or polygonal overall cross-sectional shape.

[0023] The invention also relates to a workpiece processing system which, in addition to a process chamber for receiving workpieces to be processed, wherein the process chamber is connected to at least one exhaust air line for removing exhaust air to be cleaned from the process chamber, also has at least one thermal raw gas treatment device of the invention as described above, wherein the raw gas inlets of the several burner modules are each connected to one of the at least one exhaust air line.The thermal raw gas treatment device according to the invention is particularly advantageously applicable to workpiece processing systems for drying and / or hardening painted / coated / bonded workpieces, especially in the field of continuous dryers, continuous hardening systems, chamber dryers, and chamber hardening systems in which painted and / or bonded car bodies or body parts can be dried and / or hardened, without the invention being limited to this specific field of application. The thermal raw gas treatment device can, for example, also be advantageously used for low-grade gas combustion (e.g., in landfill or biogas environments, etc.) or for the production of inert gas, for example, for the desorption of zeolite concentrators.

[0024] The operation of the thermal raw gas treatment device of the invention described above preferably includes, in addition to conventional operating modes, one or more of the following steps: (a) commissioning a number of burner modules corresponding to the quantity of raw gas to be treated; (b) switching off at least one of the several burner modules if a raw gas quantity falls below a predetermined limit; (c) operating the burner modules alternately in partial load operation; (d) purging the common combustion chamber of adjacent combustion chambers; (e) pre-ventilating the common combustion chamber of adjacent combustion chambers; (f) after a burner module has been switched off, purging the respective burner with air without fuel admixture; and (g) operating some of the burner modules with raw gas supply to the burner and other parts of the burner modules with fresh air supply to the burner.

[0025] Furthermore, to set up, reach and / or fall below a temperature limit (minimum operating temperature, preferably an adjustable minimum operating temperature, in particular a minimum reaction temperature) in the common combustion chamber, the common combustion chamber can be supplied with heat energy by activating the burner of one of the several burner modules as a heating burner or by operating the other heating device, if present, in the area of ​​the common combustion chamber, in order to reach or regain the minimum operating temperature.

[0026] The above features and advantages of the invention, as well as others, will become clearer from the following description of preferred, non-limiting embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. These drawings show, in some cases only schematically: Fig. 1 a cross-sectional view of a modular thermal raw gas treatment device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 a perspective side view (with the side left open from the viewing direction) of the modular thermal raw gas treatment device of Fig. 1 according to one possible embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 3 a bottom view (with the underside left open from the viewing direction) of the modular thermal raw gas treatment device of Fig. 2 ; Fig. 4 a more detailed representation of the lower part of the perspective side view of the modular thermal raw gas treatment device of Fig. 2 Fig. 5A-F Cross-sectional views of various embodiments of a modular thermal raw gas treatment device of the invention with an inner additional module; Fig. 6A-D Cross-sectional views of various further embodiments of a modular thermal raw gas treatment device of the invention with an outer additional module; Fig. 7A A cross-sectional view of a modular thermal raw gas treatment device according to a second embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 7B A perspective view of the modular thermal raw gas treatment device of Fig. 7A Fig. 8 shows an application example of the modular thermal raw gas treatment device of the invention in a workpiece machining system; Fig. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of a modular thermal raw gas treatment device according to a third embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 10 shows a perspective side view (with the side left open from the viewing direction) of the modular thermal raw gas treatment device of Fig. 9 according to one possible embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Referring to Fig. 1 A first embodiment of a modular thermal raw gas treatment device according to the invention, including various optional embodiments, is described in more detail. By way of example, the raw gas treatment device is used as a thermal exhaust air purification device (TAR), which is why it is subsequently often referred to as TAR or TAR system.

[0028] The thermal exhaust air purification device (TAR) 10 is modular in design and contains several burner modules 12n (in Fig. 1 Examples include four burner modules 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d).

[0029] The burner modules 12n each contain a combustion chamber 14n with a combustion chamber therein and a burner 19, preferably suspended at the top and projecting vertically downwards into the combustion chamber 14n. The combustion chambers 14n each have a burner connection flange 18 for connecting the burner 19, as well as connection flanges 15 for coupling adjacent combustion chambers 14n together and / or end flanges 17 on the outer burner modules 12n for sealing the TAR 10. As shown in Fig. 1 As shown, the connecting flanges 15 have through-openings 16 to connect the combustion chambers of the adjacent combustion chambers 14n to form a common combustion chamber, allowing gas exchange between the combustion chambers and thus creating a common combustion chamber with uniform heating. Optionally, shut-off devices (e.g., in the form of flaps or slides) can be provided at the through-openings 16 to allow some or all of the through-openings 16 to be shut off as needed.

[0030] As already mentioned, the burners 19 preferably project downwards into the respective combustion chamber or combustion chamber. This facilitates the settling of solids and / or condensates from the raw gas in the combustion chambers. To remove such elements deposited from the raw gas from the combustion chambers, discharge devices for the permanent or intermittent removal of the settled solids and / or condensates are preferably provided in the lower region of the combustion chambers 14n, although not shown. The discharge devices can include, for example, mechanical conveying devices (e.g., screw conveyors), suction devices, and / or flushing devices. Furthermore, the burners 19, suspended at the top, can expand slightly downwards vertically into the combustion chambers 14n at high temperatures without impairing their functionality and without affecting the distances between the burners 19 (or their respective combustion chambers).elements of the subsequently specified, preferably existing heat transfer systems 29 of the burners 19) to reduce and without experiencing forces against themselves.

[0031] The burners 19 are preferably all designed as recuperative burners and each has a raw gas inlet 21 for introducing raw gas to be cleaned from a raw gas supply line 20 through the burner 19 into the combustion chamber 14n, a gas inlet 13 for introducing fuel into the burner 19, and a clean gas outlet 22 for conveying cleaned gas from the combustion chamber 14a through the burner 19n into a clean gas outlet 23. Instead of the gas inlet 13 for introducing, for example, natural gas as fuel, the burners 19 can optionally also have an inlet for introducing a liquid fuel, preferably combined with a suitable injection device for injecting the liquid fuel into the respective burner. The burners 19 preferably have a round, elliptical, or polygonal (e.g., rectangular, hexagonal, octagonal) cross-sectional shape for aerodynamic advantages.The burners 19 each have an integrated heat transfer system 29 for transferring heat from the outgoing clean gas to the incoming raw gas and the incoming fuel. The invention is not limited to any specific embodiment of this heat transfer system 29. The heat transfer system 29 projects, for example, into the through-opening (e.g., approximately 50 to 100 mm) so that the recirculated clean gas can flow back into the heat transfer system. Furthermore, an air baffle is arranged downstream of the end of the heat transfer system 29, for example, to regulate the residence time of the clean gas in the combustion chamber before it re-enters the heat transfer system. The raw gas inlets 21 of the burner modules 12n are located in... Fig. 1 For example, all are connected to a common raw gas supply line 20; depending on the application, the raw gas inlets 21 can alternatively be connected individually or in groups to two or more raw gas supply lines.

[0032] As in Fig. 1 As shown, at least one combustion chamber 14d of the several burner modules 12n can optionally also have a hot gas outlet 24 to which a hot gas duct 25 can be connected. The hot gas duct 25 is, for example, led to the clean gas duct 23, so that the clean gas is reheated slightly after heat transfer in the heat transfer systems 29 of the burners 19. The hot gas duct 25 and the clean gas duct 23 can be equipped with flow controllers 27a, 27b for temperature control of the clean gas. Alternatively, the hot gas duct 25 can also be led to any heat exchangers of the respective workpiece processing system. By venting the hot gas from the combustion chamber 14d and thus also from the common combustion chamber of the TAR 10, overheating of the TAR 10 can also be avoided. The burner module 12d with the combustion chamber 14d with hot gas duct can, for example, be referred to as a bypass module.The burner 19 of the bypass module 12d can also be designed to be less recuperative or non-recuperative, or the bypass module 12d can also be designed without its own burner.

[0033] The burners 19 of the multiple burner modules 12n can be controlled / operated independently of one another. To ensure suitable operation of the multiple burner modules 12n, preferably one or more of the following features are provided: at least one temperature sensing device (e.g.,a temperature sensor (e.g., thermocouple, IR sensor, pyrometer, resistance thermometer) 34a in a combustion chamber 14n for detecting a temperature in the combustion chamber; at least one temperature detection device 34b in a through-opening 16 for detecting a temperature in the combustion chamber; at least one temperature detection device 34c near a burner 19 (preferably at a distance of about 50 to 500 mm from the end of the respective burner) for detecting the respective burner temperature; at least one air volume detection device 28 for detecting a current raw gas air volume to be cleaned; several valve devices 26n on the burner modules 12n, each for selectively opening or closing and optionally also for throttling the respective raw gas inlet 21 and the respective gas inlet 13. The temperature detection devices 34a,b,c are in . Fig. 1 For the sake of clarity, each is shown individually, but multiple units are preferably provided. The air volume measurement device 28 is in Fig. 1 This is exemplified by a flow rate sensor in the raw gas supply line 20; alternatively, the air volume sensing device can also have several differential pressure sensors, one above each burner, or one differential pressure sensor across all burner modules. If a temperature sensing device 34c is present near a burner 19, as shown in Fig. 1 As indicated, each burner 19 is preferably equipped with a thermocouple 62 for controlling the burner temperature (e.g. by controlling the fuel).

[0034] In addition to the aforementioned independent controllability of the burners 19 of the multiple burner modules 12n, the individual burners 19 can also be designed and controlled in multiple stages. The stages can, for example, be composed of ring-shaped, segment-shaped (in particular circularly and / or radially segmented), and / or patterned burner elements and preferably be controllable independently of one another. It can also be provided that the stages comprise identical or at least partially differing numbers of burner elements.

[0035] The modular TAR 10 can, in principle, have any number of 12n burner modules. Furthermore, its modularity allows for the easy addition or removal of individual burner modules as needed. The 12n burner modules can also be configured for any air volume. Additionally, other modules can be added as required, as will be shown later. Figuren 5A bis 6D described.

[0036] Referring to Fig. 2 bis 4 Further features and advantages of a specific embodiment of the modular TAR 10 according to the invention will now be explained, wherein Fig. 2 bis 4 for example, the embodiment of Fig. 1 are aligned. As in Fig. 2 As can be seen, the burners 19 are preferably connected at the top of the combustion chambers 14n and project downwards into the combustion chambers 14n or their combustion chambers. Furthermore, in Fig. 2 It is shown that the burner modules 12n are supported on a base frame 30, which can also be supplemented by an extension frame 32. As in Fig. 4 As shown, the burner modules 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12e are each mounted on the base frame 30 via a sliding bearing 31, while the single bypass module 12d is directly attached to the base frame 30. The sliding bearings 31 compensate for thermal expansion of the burner modules 12n. Furthermore, the sliding bearings 31 allow the burner modules 12n to be easily pulled apart or pushed together, for example, for maintenance, cleaning, and repair work. This is further facilitated by the extension frame 32. The sliding bearings 31 and the extension frame 32 also make it easier to remove or replace individual burner modules from the TAR 10 or to add additional burner modules to the TAR 10.

[0037] In Fig. 2 and 3It is further illustrated that one of the several burner modules 12n, in particular the outer burner module at the edge of the TAR 10, can optionally be equipped with an injection device 35 for injecting an additive into the respective combustion chamber 14n or the common combustion chamber. The additive can, for example, support / promote the purification of the raw gas in the TAR 10, especially if the raw gas contains specific pollutants or pollutant concentrations. Alternatively or additionally, liquid fuels or organically contaminated liquids can also be added.

[0038] Other embodiments of the TAR according to the invention may also include further special features or omit some of the special features described above.

[0039] The operating principle of a thermal exhaust air purification device and its burner are generally known to those skilled in the art. Therefore, only a few specific operational aspects of the modular TAR system of the invention will now be explained.

[0040] The burner modules 12n can be configured for different raw gas air volumes, for example between 100 and 2000 Nm³ / h, preferably between 250 and 1500 Nm³ / h, and particularly preferably for example for about 500 Nm³ / h or about 1000 Nm³ / h per burner module. The total air volume of the TAR 10 is, of course, a multiple of the air volume per burner module 12n.

[0041] After pre-ventilation, depending on the pre-selection, all or only individual burner modules 12n are activated. The control of the individual burners 19 is then modulated until the minimum or maximum air quantity per burner 19 is reached. For example, if the minimum air quantity of one or more burners 19, which is detected by the air quantity sensing device 28, is undershot, one of the burner modules can be deactivated by first shutting off the fuel supply via the respective valve device and then, after purging the burner 19 to remove any remaining gases, also shutting off the raw gas supply. The burners 19 of the remaining burner modules 12n then take over the raw gas quantity of the deactivated burner module, ensuring that the minimum air quantity for proper operation is not undershot in any of them.In reverse operation, if the maximum air volume of all active burner modules 12n is reached, one or more additional burner modules that are still in standby mode can be activated. To prevent capacity bottlenecks, the operation of the additional burner modules can preferably be prepared starting at 80-90% of the maximum air volume. Due to the interconnected combustion chambers 14n, however, no pre-ventilation of the newly activated burner modules 12n is required, thus minimizing the reaction time to changes in air volume. This modular operating mode of the TAR 10 achieves energy savings and power adjustment to the current raw gas air volume, as not all burner modules need to be in operation at all times.

[0042] By connecting the combustion chambers 14n to form a common combustion chamber, it is possible to preheat the entire TAR 10 to the required minimum reaction temperature using only one burner 19 as a preheating burner. Even if the minimum reaction temperature is not reached or falls below the required level in the common combustion chamber, the common combustion chamber can be supplied with heat energy by activating a burner 19 as a preheating burner to reach or maintain the minimum reaction temperature. The purging and pre-ventilation processes also take place throughout the entire combustion chamber, thus significantly reducing the time required compared to conventional TAR systems.

[0043] If energy is required in excess of the available energy in the TAR 10, one or more of the multiple burner modules 12n can be operated with fresh air to provide additional energy. The remaining burner modules 12n continue to operate with the raw gas to be cleaned. This procedure can also be used, for example, to cover the increased energy demand during the heating process of the workpiece processing system by keeping more burner modules 12n in operation. During a heating process of the workpiece processing system, hot gas can be drawn from the TAR 10, particularly via the bypass module 12d, to heat the dryers.

[0044] This means that, in addition to the usual operating modes of conventional TARs, the operation of the TAR 10 may preferably include one or more of the following steps: (a) commissioning a number of burner modules 12n corresponding to the quantity of raw gas to be treated; (b) switching off at least one of the several burner modules 12n if a quantity of raw gas falls below a predetermined limit; (c) operating the burner modules 12n alternately in partial load operation; (d) purging the common combustion chamber of adjacent combustion chambers 14n; (e) pre-ventilating the common combustion chamber of adjacent combustion chambers 14n; (f) after a burner module 12n has been switched off, purging the respective burner 19 with air without fuel admixture; and (g) operating some of the burner modules 12n with raw gas supply to the burner 19 and other parts of the burner modules 12n with fresh air supply to the burner 19.

[0045] Referring to Fig. 5A bis 5F Several different versions of the modular thermal raw gas treatment device described above will now be explained. Identical or corresponding components of the device are identified by the same reference numbers as in [reference number missing]. Fig. 1 marked. Even if in Fig. 5A-F For the sake of clarity, a few elements / features (e.g., 34c, 62) of the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 1-4 Those not shown are of course all available in combination with these design variants or can be used optionally.

[0046] Unlike the one in Fig. 1 In the illustrated embodiment, the thermal raw gas treatment devices 10 of these embodiments each include an additional module 36n without its own burner, which is coupled between two of the multiple burner modules 12n. The connection flanges of the additional modules 36n are each provided with through-openings 16, so that the interiors of the additional modules 36n are connected to the combustion chambers of the adjacent combustion chambers 14n and thus form common interiors.

[0047] In the version of Fig. 5A The additional module 36a does not contain any special additional elements, but only an interior space through which the volume of the common combustion chamber of the combustion chambers 14n of the several burner modules 12a-d is extended.

[0048] In the version of Fig. 5B On the walls of the additional module 36b in the direction of connection between the two adjacent burner modules 12c and 12d, one or more compensation elements 37b are provided which can compensate for a thermally induced change in the dimensioning of the burner modules 12n, so that the overall size of the device 10 can be kept essentially the same even under high temperature loads.

[0049] In the version of Fig. 5C The additional module 36c contains a heat exchanger element 37c, through which at least some heat from the clean gas in the common interior of the several burner modules 12a-d and the additional module 36c can be transferred to any other fluid outside the device 10. For example, thermal oil intermediate circuits for heating systems, ORC working fluids, process gases (e.g., dryer air, desorption air, etc.) or the like can be heated in this way.

[0050] In the version of Fig. 5D The additional module 36d contains several heat storage and / or catalyst elements 37d, which can absorb some of the heat energy from the clean gas in the common interior and / or have a catalytic function for treating the raw gas. The heat stored in this way can be used, for example, for regenerative alternative or supplementary processes, to improve the restart properties of the device 10, and the like. Additionally or alternatively, the additional elements 37d of this additional module 36d can also serve to adsorb or absorb pollutants (e.g., CO₂) from the common interior.

[0051] In the version of Fig. 5E The additional module 36e contains at least one discharge element 37e in its lower section for discharging fluids and / or particles (e.g., solids, condensates) from the common interior space. This discharge can serve to clean the modular TAR 10 and to treat the raw gas to be cleaned more effectively.

[0052] In the version of Fig. 5F The additional module 36f contains an injection element 37f for injecting additives into the common interior space. The additive is, for example, an auxiliary substance for selective non-catalytic reduction (SNCR), such as for purifying nitrogen-containing raw gases. When using such an additional module 36f, further injection elements on the burner modules 12n are unnecessary, particularly if the combustion chambers of all burner modules 12n are connected to each other and to the interior space of the additional module 36f to form a common interior space.

[0053] While in the Fig. 5A bis 5F While only one additional module 36n is coupled into the modular thermal raw gas treatment device 10, optionally two or more additional modules 36n can be coupled into the device between two burner modules 12n. In the case of multiple additional modules 36n, these can include different or identical additional functions for the device 10. While in the Fig. 5A bis 5F While the 36n add-on modules each contain only one additional function, add-on modules with multiple additional functions can also be used. The specialist will, in addition to the information provided with reference to... Fig. 5A bis 5F In addition to the described additional functions, further additional functions for the modular device 10 can be identified, which can be provided by additional modules. For example, the additional module can also include a hot gas discharge, so that none of the burner modules 12n need to be designed as a bypass module.

[0054] Referring to Fig. 6A bis 6D Several different further variants of the modular thermal raw gas treatment device described above will now be explained. Identical or corresponding components of the device are again identified by the same reference numbers as in [reference missing]. Fig. 1 marked. Even if in Fig. 6A-D For the sake of clarity, a few elements / features (e.g., 34c, 62) of the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 1-4 Those not shown are of course all available in combination with these design variants or can be used optionally.

[0055] Unlike those in Fig. 5A-F In the illustrated embodiments, the thermal raw gas treatment devices 10 of these embodiments each include an additional module 38n without its own burner, which is coupled to one of the outer burner modules 12n. These outer additional modules 38n can, in principle, have the same additional functions as the inner additional modules 36n described above.

[0056] In the version of Fig. 6A The additional module 38a contains no special additional elements, but only an interior space that increases the volume of the common combustion chamber of the combustion chambers 14n of the several burner modules 12a-d. In the version of Fig. 6B The additional module 38b contains a heat transfer element 39b, which projects into the common combustion chamber of the burner modules 12n in order to transfer at least some heat from the clean gas to some other fluid outside the device 10. In the embodiment of Fig. 6C The additional module 38c contains an injection element 39c, which projects into the combustion chambers of the several burner modules 12n to inject additives. In the version of Fig. 6D The additional module 38d contains a discharge element 39d which protrudes into the combustion chambers 14n of the burner modules 12n in the lower area in order to discharge fluids and / or particles (e.g. solids, condensates) from the combustion chambers 14n.

[0057] While in the Fig. 6A bis 6D While only one additional module 38n is coupled to the modular thermal raw gas treatment device 10, optionally two additional modules 38n can be coupled to the two outer burner modules 12a, 12d. In this case, the two additional modules 38n can include different or identical additional functions for the device 10. While in the Fig. 6A bis 6D While the 38n add-on modules each contain only one additional function, add-on modules with multiple additional functions can also be used. The specialist will, in addition to the information provided with reference to... Fig. 6A bis 6D In addition to the described additional functions, further additional functions for the modular device 10 can be identified, which can be provided by additional modules. In this regard, all the additional functions mentioned above in relation to the inner additional modules 36n are also possible.

[0058] While in the above versions of Fig. 5A bis 5F only one inner additional module 36n is present in each case, and in the above design variants of Fig. 6A bis 6D Since only one outer additional module 38n is present in each case, the invention also allows for combining these two concepts. That is, embodiments of the TAR 10 according to the invention can optionally also have at least one inner additional module 36n and at least one outer additional module 38n. In this case, the inner and outer additional modules 36n, 38n can optionally include different or identical additional functions for the TAR 10.

[0059] As in Fig. 1 bis 6 As shown, the burner modules 12n in the embodiment described above and also in the embodiment variants described above are each structured in a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape and are coupled to each other via the connection flanges 15 along a substantially straight line (left-right direction in the figures).

[0060] Referring to Fig. 7A und 7B A second embodiment of the modular thermal raw gas treatment device according to the invention will now be explained. In contrast to Fig. 1 bis 5 The burner modules 12n each have a pie-slice-shaped cross-section, allowing them to be coupled to one another via the connection flanges along a substantially circular line. This results in a different overall structure, which may be more advantageous depending on the application. In the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 7A-B This results in an overall hexagonal structure. However, other polygonal structures are also possible in other variations.

[0061] As particularly in Fig. 7A As can be seen, the burner modules 12n, with their pie-slice-shaped cross-section, have a wider outer surface and a narrower inner surface, and accordingly, angled connection flanges 15 between adjacent burner modules. Optionally, a fluid channel 11 can be integrated centrally between the burner modules 12n, enabling heat transfer to a fluid flowing through it. As shown in Fig. 7B As illustrated, in this structural form the burner modules 12n can also be mounted on guide rails 33, over which they can be moved in a radial direction.

[0062] The design and operation of the burner modules 12n are relative to the above embodiment of the Fig. 1 bis 6 Apart from the structural form, the burner modules remain essentially unchanged. This means that the 12n burner modules also have combustion chambers and burners with a common combustion chamber and, optionally, at least one additional inner module. For further details and possible variants, please refer to the explanations above. Fig. 1 bis 6 referred to in order to avoid extensive repetition.

[0063] Referring to Fig. 8 and 9 A third embodiment of the modular thermal raw gas treatment device according to the invention will now be explained. Identical or corresponding elements are designated with the same reference numerals as in Fig. 1-4 marked.

[0064] In contrast to the first embodiment of Fig. 1-4 The raw gas treatment device 10 additionally features a heating device 60 (or optionally several heating devices) in the area of ​​the common combustion chamber of the several burner modules 12n. The heating device 60 is, for example, located on the combustion chamber 14n of an outer (in Fig. 9 (left) burner module 12a coupled. This heating device 60 can, for example, be a heating burner, an electric or electromagnetic heating device, or a switchable high-temperature heat source of another type. The heating device 60 supplies the common combustion chamber with thermal energy to preheat it to the required minimum reaction temperature (e.g., about 750°C) for the safe / effective treatment of the raw gas. Preferably, the raw gas treatment device 10 contains only a single heating device 60, which is sufficient due to the common combustion chamber. As in Fig. 9 As indicated, this heating device 60 preferably includes a safety device 61 for monitoring the presence of a flame (e.g. a photocell for flame monitoring).

[0065] In this embodiment, the use of this heating device 60 allows the burners 19 of the multiple burner modules 12n to be configured more simply and controlled more easily, since they do not need to be used as preheating burners and do not require any safety technology to monitor the heating process. During the heating of the common combustion chamber by the heating device 60, all burners 19 of the burner modules 12n remain switched off.

[0066] Furthermore, this third embodiment corresponds to Fig. 9-10 the first embodiment 1-4 and can also be used with all embodiment variants of the Fig. 5A-F and 6A-D be designed and also the other structural form variant of the Fig. 7A-B have.

[0067] The modular thermal raw gas treatment device 10 of the invention described above (according to various embodiments and variants) can advantageously be used, for example, for workpiece treatment systems, in particular for drying and / or hardening painted / coated / bonded workpieces (e.g., car bodies or body parts). The modular TAR 10 can also be used, for example, for low-grade gas combustion (e.g., in landfill or biogas environments, etc.) or for generating inert gas for desorption in zeolite concentrators or comparable applications.

[0068] Fig. 8 Figure 10 shows an example of a possible use of the thermal raw gas treatment device according to the invention as a TAR system in a workpiece processing system 40 for drying and / or hardening painted / coated / bonded workpieces (e.g., car bodies or body parts). Of course, the device 10 according to the invention can also be advantageously used in other structures of workpiece processing systems 40.

[0069] The workpiece processing system 40 has a process chamber 42 with several zones for receiving workpieces to be processed, wherein the process chamber 42 is connected to at least one fresh air duct 44 for introducing fresh air into the process chamber. In the application example of Fig. 8 The process chamber 42 is configured with two zone groups and is therefore equipped with two exhaust air lines 48 for removing the exhaust air to be cleaned from the two process chamber zone groups. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the process chamber 42 is connected to several recirculating air circuits 50 for removing and reintroducing recirculated air from / into the process chamber. Two modular thermal raw gas treatment devices 10 of the invention can be used in this workpiece processing system 40, each of whose raw gas inlets 21n is connected to one of the two exhaust air lines 48.

[0070] The recirculating air circuits 50 are preferably each equipped with a recirculating air recuperator 51, which includes a fan 52 for conveying the recirculated air and a recirculating air heat exchanger 53. The clean gas outlets 22n of the two modular TARs 10 are each connected to a clean gas discharge 23, which runs through a group of the recirculating air recuperators 50, in which heat is transferred from the clean gas to the recirculated air, and optionally also through a fresh air heat exchanger 45, in which residual heat from the clean gas is transferred to the fresh air. Alternatively, instead of the recirculating air heat exchanger 53, the recirculating air recuperators 51 can also include a recirculating air mixing chamber, through which at least a portion of the clean gas is mixed with the recirculated air stream. It should be noted for the avoidance of doubt that the recirculating air circuits 50 with their recirculating air recuperators 51 in Fig. 8 are only shown schematically, without determining the specific positions and connections of their components and without showing possible further components (e.g. throttle valves, measuring devices, etc.).

[0071] In other applications, either just one TAR 10 or more than two TARs 10 can be used in the workpiece processing system 40. In the case of multiple TARs 10, they can be equipped with the same or different numbers of torch modules.

[0072] Besides the in Fig. 8As illustrated by example, the thermal raw gas treatment device 10 according to the invention can, in principle, be used for any application / treatment / system. The thermal raw gas treatment device can, in particular, be used as a thermal exhaust air purification device (TAB) or as a thermal afterburner (TBW), for example, for cleaning pollutants from process air by oxidation.

[0073] The subject matter of the invention is defined by the attached claims. The exemplary embodiments described above serve only to improve understanding of the invention and are not intended to limit the scope of protection defined by the claims. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, other embodiments are also possible within the scope of the invention, in particular by omitting individual features from the exemplary embodiments described above or by adding additional features to the exemplary embodiments described above, and by further (not explicitly mentioned) combinations of features of two or more of the exemplary embodiments described above. Reference number list

[0074] 10 Thermal raw gas treatment device 11 Fluid channel 12 Burner modules 13 Gas inlets 14 Combustion chambers 15 Connection flange 16 Through-opening 17 End flange 18 Burner connection flange 19 Burner, in particular recuperative burner 20 Raw gas supply 21 Raw gas inlets 22 Clean gas outlets 23 Clean gas discharge 24 Hot gas outlet 25 Hot gas discharge 26 Valve devices 27a,b Flow regulator 28 Air volume sensing device 29 Heat transfer system 30 Base frame 31 Slide bearings 32 Extension frame 33 Guide rails 34a Temperature sensing device in combustion chamber 34b Temperature sensing device in through-opening 34c Temperature sensing device near burner 35 Injection device for additives 36n Auxiliary module (between burner modules) 37n Auxiliary elements of the 36n auxiliary modules 38n Auxiliary module (on outer burner module) 39n Auxiliary elements of the 38n auxiliary modules 40 Workpiece processing system 42 Process chamber 44 Fresh air duct 45 Fresh air heat exchanger 48 Exhaust air duct 50 Recirculating air circuits 51 Recirculating air recuperators 52 Fans 53 Recirculating air heat exchanger 60 Heating device 61 Safety technology 62Thermoelement,

Claims

1. Thermal raw gas treatment device (10) having: a plurality of burner modules (12n), each having: a combustion chamber (14n) with a combustion space for the thermal treatment of a raw gas therein; a burner (19), which is connected to the combustion chamber (14n), for the combustion of pollutants contained in the raw gas to be purified; a raw gas inlet (21) for introducing the raw gas to be purified through the burner (19) into the combustion chamber (14n); and a pure gas outlet (22) for discharging a purified pure gas, wherein the plurality of raw gas inlets (21) of the plurality of burner modules (12n) can optionally be connected individually or in groups to a respective raw gas supply line (20), and the plurality of pure gas outlets (22) of the plurality of burner modules (12n) can optionally be connected individually or in groups to a respective pure gas discharge line (23); and wherein the plurality of burner modules (12n) are in each case coupled to one another by connection flanges (15), wherein at least some of the connection flanges (15) of the plurality of burner modules (12n) each have a passage opening (16) for connecting the combustion spaces of the combustion chambers (14n) of respective mutually coupled burner modules (12n) to one another so as to form a common combustion space; and the thermal raw gas treatment device (10) is characterized in that at least one burner (19) of one of the plurality of burner modules (12n) is designed as a recuperative burner which has the raw gas inlet (21) and the pure gas outlet (22) and a heat transfer system (29) for transferring heat from the outflowing pure gas to the inflowing raw gas.

2. Thermal raw gas treatment device (10) according to Claim 1, which furthermore has at least one heating device (60) for heating the common combustion space of the mutually coupled burner modules (12n), which in the region of the common combustion space is coupled to, for example, the combustion chamber (14n) of one of the plurality of burner modules (12n) and preferably contains safety equipment (61) for monitoring the presence of a flame.

3. Thermal raw gas treatment device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, furthermore having at least one air flow detection device (28) for detecting a total air quantity of the raw gas to be purified.

4. Thermal raw gas treatment device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the burner modules (12n) are supported on a common base frame (30), wherein at least one of the plurality of burner modules (12n) is mounted on the base frame (30) by way of a friction bearing (31), and wherein optionally attached to the base frame (30) is an extension frame (32) by way of which the burner modules (12n) can be pushed apart by means of the friction bearings (31).

5. Thermal raw gas treatment device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein furthermore at least one burner module (12e) of the plurality of burner modules (12n) for discharging a hot gas from the respective combustion chamber (14e) has a hot gas outlet (24) which can be connected to a hot gas line (25).

6. Thermal raw gas treatment device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the burners (19) are in each case connected to the top of the respective combustion chamber (14n) and protrude downwards into the respective combustion chamber (14n).

7. Thermal raw gas treatment device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the plurality of burner modules (12n) has an injection device (35) for injecting an additive for the cleaning process of the raw gas into the respective combustion chamber (14n).

8. Thermal raw gas treatment device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the plurality of burner modules (12n) has one or more temperature detection devices (34a, b, c) for detecting the temperature in the respective combustion chamber (14n) in the passage opening (16) to the adjacent combustion chamber and / or near the end of the respective burner (19), preferably at a spacing of 50 to 500 mm therefrom.

9. Thermal raw gas treatment device (10) according to Claim 8, wherein at least one burner (19) of the plurality of burner modules (12n) has a thermocouple (62) for feedback-controlling the burner temperature.

10. Thermal raw gas treatment device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the burners (19) of the burner modules (12n) each have a substantially circular or elliptical or polygonal cross-sectional shape.

11. Thermal raw gas treatment device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, furthermore having at least one additional module (36n) which is without a burner and is coupled between two of the plurality of burner modules (12n) and the interior space of which is connected to the combustion spaces of the adjacent combustion chambers (14n) by way of passage openings (15) so as to form a common interior space and which has at least one additional function selected from: a) enlarging the common combustion space of the combustion chambers (14n); b) compensating for dimensional changes of the device (10); c) transferring heat from the pure gas in the common interior space to another fluid outside the device (10); d) discharging hot gas; e) storing heat; f) being a catalyst; g) discharging fluids and / or particles from the common interior space; h) injecting additives into the common interior space; and i) adsorbing or absorbing pollutants from the interior space.

12. Thermal raw gas treatment device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, furthermore having at least one additional module (38n) which is without a burner and is coupled to an outer one of the plurality of burner modules (12n) and which has at least one additional function selected from: a) enlarging the combustion space of the adjacent combustion chamber; b) compensating for dimensional changes of the device (10); c) transferring heat from the pure gas in the combustion space of the adjacent combustion chamber to another fluid outside the device (10); d) discharging hot gas; e) storing heat; f) being a catalyst; g) discharging fluids and / or particles from the combustion space of the adjacent combustion chamber; h) injecting additives into the combustion space of the adjacent combustion chamber; and i) adsorbing or absorbing pollutants from the combustion space of the adjacent combustion chamber.

13. Thermal raw gas treatment device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the burner modules (12n) each have a rectangular cross-sectional shape and are coupled to one another along a straight line, or each have a pie slice-like cross-sectional shape and are coupled to one another along a circular line.

14. Workpiece processing system (40) having: a process chamber (42) for receiving workpieces to be processed, wherein the process chamber (42) is connected to at least one exhaust air line (48) for discharging exhaust air to be cleaned from the process chamber; and at least one thermal raw gas treatment device (10) according to one of Claims 1 to 13, wherein the raw gas inlets (21) of the plurality of burner modules (12a) are each connected to one of the at least one exhaust air line (48).

15. Method for operating the thermal raw gas treatment device according to one of Claims 1 to 13, comprising at least one of the following steps: a) putting into operation a number of burner modules (12n) corresponding to the quantity of raw gas to be treated; b) switching off at least one of the plurality of burner modules (12n) if a quantity of raw gas drops below a specified limit value; c) operating the burner modules (12n) alternately in partial load mode; d) purging the common combustion space of adjacent combustion chambers (14n); e) pre-aerating the common combustion space of adjacent combustion chambers (14n); f) after a burner module (12n) has been switched off, purging the respective burner (19) with air without fuel addition; and g) operating part of the burner modules (12n) with a raw gas supply to the burner and another part of the burner modules (12n) with a fresh air supply to the burner.

16. Method according to Claim 15, in which for setting up, attaining and / or when dropping below a temperature limit value in the common combustion space, the common combustion space is supplied with thermal energy by putting into operation the burner (19) of one of the plurality of burner modules (12n) as a heating burner, or by operating the heating device (60) in the region of the common combustion space.

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