Wet Scrubbers - Odour & Emission Control
How Wet Scrubbers Work
The core principle behind wet scrubbers is simple yet powerful: pollutants are captured by contact with a liquid, which absorbs or chemically reacts with the contaminants to neutralise them. Here’s a step-by-step overview of how the process works:
- Pollutant Collection: The polluted gas stream is introduced into the wet scrubber system, where it passes through a chamber filled with scrubbing liquid.
- Gas-Liquid Interaction: As the gas moves through the liquid, pollutants are either absorbed into the liquid or chemically react with the scrubbing medium. The choice of scrubbing liquid depends on the specific type of pollutant being targeted.
- Separation: Once the pollutants are captured, the clean gas exits the system, and the contaminated liquid is either recirculated, treated, or safely disposed of.
- Waste Management: The scrubber solution may need to be periodically replaced or treated, especially when dealing with reactive chemicals, to ensure continued effective operation.
Wet scrubber: parameters
The main parameters that regulate the particulate capture process are:
- Particles size: the larger the particle, the easier it is to capture
- Droplets size:capture efficiency increases with the decreasing of droplets size;
Relative velocity between the particles and the droplets: the increase of the speed increase the removal efficiency.
Types of wet scrubbers
A possible classification of the types of wet scrubbers is carried out on the basis of the phase to which energy is supplied. Particularly, energy may be supplied to:
- the gaseous phase: this is the case of Venturi scrubbers or of plate columns
the liquid phase: this is the case of spray towers - both liquid and gaseous phases: is the case of packed or floating bed scrubbers
- The most important systems are packed columns. They consist of cylindrical chambers, that are internally filled with a packed bed structure. Equipments like this may be used also with countercurrent spray systems.
- The optimal definition of the scrubber (typology, sizing, final efficiency estimation) for the specific application is realized in an analytical way alongside our experience and the experimental tests carried out.
What Types of Pollutants Can Wet Scrubbers Remove?
Wet scrubbers are incredibly versatile and capable of removing a wide range of pollutants, including:
- Particulate Matter: Dust, soot, and other fine particles are effectively captured by the scrubbing liquid, making wet scrubbers ideal for industries dealing with significant airborne particulates.
- Acid Gases: Sulphur dioxide (SO₂), hydrogen chloride (HCl), and other acidic gases can be neutralised using alkaline scrubbing solutions, reducing harmful emissions into the environment.
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): Wet scrubbers can also capture VOCs, which are common in industries that handle solvents and other organic chemicals.
- Heavy Metals: Certain types of wet scrubbers are capable of capturing mercury, lead, and other heavy metals, helping industries adhere to strict environmental regulations.
- Odorous Gases: In industries like waste management, wet scrubbers help remove offensive odours by absorbing odorous gases and neutralising them through chemical reactions.
What Industries Commonly Use Wet Scrubbers?
Wet scrubbers are widely used across several industries due to their efficiency in handling various pollutants. Some of the key sectors that rely on this technology include:
- Power Generation: Power plants, especially those that burn coal or other fossil fuels, often utilise wet scrubbers to control emissions of sulphur dioxide and other pollutants.
- Chemical Manufacturing: Wet scrubbers are essential for controlling chemical fumes, VOCs, and other hazardous emissions generated in chemical production processes.
- Pharmaceutical Industry: Scrubbing systems are used to capture particulate matter and hazardous fumes during drug manufacturing.
- Metal Processing and Foundries: Wet scrubbers help control the release of particulates, heavy metals, and other contaminants in metal processing facilities.
- Waste Management: Facilities handling municipal or industrial waste often use wet scrubbers to remove odours and toxic emissions from incineration processes.
Take Control of Your Emissions Today
At Exeon, we understand the importance of controlling emissions and maintaining compliance with environmental regulations. Our wet scrubbers offer a robust, efficient solution for businesses across a range of industries. With custom-designed systems tailored to your specific needs, we ensure your operation stays compliant and environmentally responsible.
Contact us today to learn how Exeon’s wet scrubber technology can help you reduce harmful emissions and create a cleaner, safer environment for your business and community.
Packaged Wet Scrubber, unit type WX
The WX unit is a compact packaged wet scrubber unit which is suitable for removing a wide range of gas types from air including moist gases, corrosive fumes, and also removing fine dust from air streams.
Helps control odours and meet environmental emission standards.