EXHAUST SCRUBBING

The whole premise of this approach is not to try and mitigate pollution after it has
contaminated the atmosphere but to prevent it from getting to the atmosphere.
What this essentially involves is installing equipment which captures contaminants
prior to exhaust leaving an industrial facility so the exhaust is then contaminant free
and does not add to pollution.

Wet Scrubbers
Wet scrubbers are effective air pollution control devices for
removing particles and/or gases from industrial exhaust
streams. A wet scrubber operates by introducing the dirty
gas stream with a scrubbing liquid typically water.
Particulate or gases are collected in the scrubbing liquid.
Wet scrubbers are generally the most appropriate air
pollution control device for collecting both particulate and
gas in a single system.
Pollution Systems offers a variety of wet scrubber systems
specifically designed for your process application. Many
important operating variables are considered when evaluating the size and type of scrubber for any
specific application. We will work with you and use our experience and knowledge to provide the
proper solution for your process.

Types of Wet Scrubbers

Chemical Scrubbers / Gas Scrubbers

Particulate Scrubbers / Venturi Scrubbers
Ammonia Scrubbers
Chlorine Scrubbers
Particulate / Dust Scrubbers
Sulfuric Acid Scrubbers

Typical wet scrubber systems consist of a scrubbing vessel, ductwork and fan system, mist
eliminator, pumping (and possible recycle system), spent scrubbing liquid treatment and an exhaust
stack. Modern controls are used to monitor the system and make any necessary adjustments.
Wet scrubbers are common in many industrial applications including pollutant reduction at petroleum
refineries, chemical processes, acid manufacturing plants, and steel making.

Gas Scrubbers & Chemical Scrubbers

Pollution Systems offers Chemical Scrubbers,

aka Gas Scrubbers, that are efficiently and effectively designed to remove gas pollutants. Often
these pollutants are chemicals such as ammonia, chlorine or sulfur compounds. Chemical Scrubbers
work by dissolving or absorbing the pollutant into the scrubbing liquid. The scrubbing liquid used will
depend on the properties of the targeted pollutant. Pollution Systems gas scrubber systems
incorporate high quality design and construction for long-term, continuous operation while minimizing
the equipment maintenance needed.
High efficiency removal of many gas pollutants is common in many applications. Gas scrubber
selection will depend on the operating process characteristics and the particular pollutant(s) that is
being removed. Pollution System Solutions works closely with each of our customers to determine
the appropriate technology to use depending on their process and the application.

Gas Scrubber Design Considerations

Important design considerations for your chemical/gas scrubber include:

Pollutant Targeted
Removal Efficiency
Process Conditions (i.e. flow rate, temperature, concentration)

Effective Gas Scrubber removal efficiency is achieved by insuring the appropriate contact time
between the gas and the scrubbing liquid. These systems incorporate a scrubbing vessel with a
system fan, recycle pump, instrumentation and controls, mist eliminator, and exhaust stack. Packed
Bed Scrubbers include random packing to facilitate gas to liquid contact. Exhaust gas enters the
scrubber where it contacts the scrubbing fluid. The fluid captures the pollutant and is collected for
discharge or is treated for reuse.
Some of the more common industrial applications include chemical processes, metal finishing
process, semiconductor manufacturing and many other industrial operations generating fumes and
gases.

Particulate Scrubbers / Venturi Scrubbers Systems

1. Thermal Oxidizers
2. Catalytic Oxidizers
3. Wet Scrubbers
4. Chemical Scrubbers / Gas Scrubbers
5. Particulate Scrubbers / Venturi Scrubbers
6. Ammonia Scrubbers
7. Chlorine Scrubbers
8. Particulate/Dust Scrubbers
9. Sulfuric Acid Scrubbers
10. Industrial Ductwork
11. Energy Recovery Systems
12. NOx Abatement

Scrubbers & Particulate Scrubbers

Particulate Scrubbers, often called Venturi Scrubbers, are

effective at removing particulate from exhaust with high efficiency. Particulate scrubbers have
several advantages compared to other dust collection equipment. They are able to handle gas
streams that contain moisture and/or are high temperature, the overall size of the equipment is
typically smaller, and they have the potential to remove pollutant gas at the same time as the
particulate.
Venturi scrubber systems incorporate a scrubbing vessel with a system fan, recycle pump,
instrumentation and controls, mist eliminator, and exhaust stack. Wet scrubbersremove particles
from gas streams by capturing the particles in liquid droplets and then separating the droplets from
the gas stream. Particle laden exhaust gas enters the scrubber where it becomes in contact with a
mist of tiny droplets of scrubbing fluid. The fluid is separated from the gas to remove the particulate.
Collection efficiency is typically in excess of 99%.

Particulate Scrubber Applications

Pollution Systems high quality design and construction also incorporate self cleaning features to
maintain high on-stream performance. Some of the more common industrial applications of venturi
scrubbers include Corn Processing Facilities, Food Manufacturing, Machining and Grinding exhaust,
Fiberglass & Composite Industries, Utility Boilers, Foundries and Metal Finishing Operations.

Particulate Scrubbers / Dust Scrubbers

Many industries in the chemical and building materials industries may be required to reduce the
amount of particulate they release into the environment. These requirements typically depend on
application and locality. Turn to Pollution Systems for reliable, effective particulate/dust scrubbers to
fit your precise application.

Wet Particulate/Dust Scrubbers

The concept of wet particulate/dust scrubbers is pretty straightforward. A liquid usually water is
injected into the waste gas stream. The liquid droplets impact and entrain particulates from the
waste gas stream and collecting them in the sump for blowdown. The treated air stream is
discharged through the exhaust stack.
The scrubbers design will be impacted by a wide range of variables such as:

What is the nature of the particulate/dust to be removed?

What is the particulate size distribution?What is the initial pollutant loading/ concentration in
the waste stream? Is it flammable or combustible?
What is the required removal efficiency?
What is the temperature and flow rate of the waste stream?
Where will the scrubber be located, indoors or outside?

Due to these and other challenges, finding the right kind of wet dust scrubber can be a challenge.

Source : http://www.pollutionsystems.com/wet-scrubbers.html

Scrubbers, Wet Scrubbers, and Gas Scrubbers

Information

Image Credit: CCI Thermal Technologies Inc. | Anguil Environmental Systems, Inc.

Scrubbers are air pollution control devices that use liquid to remove particulate matter or
gases from an industrial exhaust or flue gas stream. This atomized liquid (typically
water) entrains particles and pollutant gases in order to effectively wash them out of the gas
flow. In comparison to other air pollution control devices, scrubbers are very
multidisciplinary, with the ability to remove solids, mists, and gases simultaneously while

also providing cooling. They are also capable of handling explosive and flammable gases
safely. However, scrubbers suffer from high levels of corrosion and produce slurry waste
streams which are less convenient for recycling and disposal.

Advantages

Can handle flammable and explosive

dusts with little risk.

Provides gas absorption and dust

collection in a single unit.

Provides cooling of hot gases.

Disadvantages

High potential for corrosion problems.

Collected particulate may be contaminated and

unrecyclable.

Protection against freezing required. Certain streams

may require reheating to avoid visible plume.

Compact; can often be retrofitted into

existing collection systems.

Disposal of waste sludge can be very expensive.

Corrosive gases and dusts can be

neutralized.

Requires makeup water to replace purged liquid

and disposed sludge

Scrubber Design and Operation

Scrubbers are devices that use a liquid (often water) to capture and remove pollutants.
Through a nozzle or orifice a scrubbing liquid is atomized and dispersed into the gas stream.
The droplets entrain and capture dust particles through agglomeration, adherence, or
encapsulation. This effectively increases the size and mass of the particles, making them
easier to collect in a subsequent filter or separation process. The scrubbing liquid
simultaneously absorbs and neutralizes gaseous pollutants. Suspended liquid is
typically recovered in mist collectors and recycled through the system.

Many air scrubbers, wet scrubbers, and gas scrubbers are available with pre-filters or final
filters to further reduced emissions. Pre-filters are installed upstream of the scrubber
intended to catch larger particles. While the scrubber itself would be able to remove these
larger particulates as well, their removal allows the scrubber to be designed to focus more
keenly and effectively on smaller particulates. A final filter is often installed downstream of
the scrubber, and is intended to catch fine particles that were not removed during the
scrubbing process.

A key parameter in the design of scrubbers is the liquid-to-gas ratio (L/G). It is commonly
expressed in gallons per minute (gpm) of liquid divided by actual cubic feet per minute
(acfm) of gas. This ratio is determined by the solubility of the gas pollutants, the abundance
of pollutants and particulate matter in the gas stream, and the mass transfer characteristics
of the tower. Increasing (L/G) increases the collection efficiency of the system, so finding the
optimum ratio is important for balancing performance with operating costs.

Types of Scrubbers
There are a number of different types of scrubbers which vary in terms of both function and
performance.

Spray Towers
In spray towers or spray chambers, gas streams are fed into a chamber and contacted with
scrubbing liquid produced by spray nozzles. The droplet size is controlled to optimize particle
contact and droplet separation from the gas stream. Chambers can be oriented for crossflow, countercurrent flow, or concurrent (co-current) flow. Chambers may also include baffles
to improve gas-liquid contact.

Spray towers have low power consumption but have relatively low particulate
collection efficiencies. The recirculated water in the system must be thoroughly cleaned to
prevent excessive nozzle fouling or clogging. Nozzle cleaning and replacement are a major
part of the maintenance required for these units.

Cyclone Spray Chambers

Cyclone spray chambers are scrubbers which combine the capture techniques of cyclones
and spray towers. Gas streams typically enter into the chamber tangentially at high speeds.
The high speeds induce cyclonic action, and the centrifugal force from this promotes droplet
separation, allowing the use of a smaller droplet size which increases collection efficiency.

Cyclone spray chambers are more efficient than spray towers and have lower
liquid requirements, but require more power due to higher pressure drops. They are
preferred over spray towers for gas streams with heavier particulate loads.

i Scrubbers
Venturi scrubbers are scrubbers with a venturi shaped chamber with converging and
diverging sections. Water is injected at low pressure into the throat of the venturi through
which the gas stream passes at high velocities. The energy from the gas atomizes the liquid,
allowing particles and pollutants to be entrained in droplets. Venturi jet scrubbers use a
modified design in which liquid is injected into the throat at high velocity rather than the gas
stream.

Venturi scrubbers have high collection efficiencies for particulate pollution and are simple to
install and maintain. However, they require large pressure drops leading to higher power
requirements than other scrubber designs. Venturi jet scrubbers have lower pressure drops
than typical venturi scrubbers, but have significantly lower efficiencies as a result.

Source:
http://www.globalspec.com/learnmore/manufacturing_process_equipment/air_quality
/scrubbers