Wet scrubbers can remove a wide range of gaseous pollutants, odours, chemical fumes and airborne particles from contaminated industrial air. They are particularly effective where pollutants are soluble in water or can be neutralised or reacted with a specially selected scrubbing solution.
Common contaminants treated using wet scrubbers include ammonia (NH₃), hydrogen sulphide (H₂S), sulphur dioxide (SO₂), hydrogen chloride (HCl), acidic gases, chemical fumes, certain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), dust and fine particulate matter.
Exeon’s scrubX™ wet scrubber system uses packed-tower technology to maximise contact between the contaminated air and the scrubbing liquid, allowing the treatment chemistry to be selected according to the pollutants present.
Can Wet Scrubbers Remove Ammonia?
Yes. Ammonia is one of the gases commonly treated using wet scrubbing.
It can be generated by wastewater treatment, sewage handling, waste processing, composting, food production and other industrial activities. Because ammonia is highly soluble in water, it can be transferred from the contaminated air stream into an appropriate scrubbing solution.
An acidic solution may be used to react with and neutralise ammonia, depending on the application and required treatment performance.
Wet scrubbing can therefore be particularly useful where ammonia concentrations make other filtration technologies less practical.
Can Wet Scrubbers Remove Hydrogen Sulphide?
Wet scrubbers can also remove hydrogen sulphide, a common source of odour at sewage works, anaerobic digestion facilities and waste treatment sites.
The selected scrubbing chemistry can react with H₂S and convert it into other compounds, reducing its concentration within the discharged air.
Where hydrogen sulphide is present alongside other contaminants, wet scrubbing may also form one stage of a wider industrial odour and emission control system.
For some applications, hi-flo™ activated carbon treatment or airo-flo™ biological filtration may provide an alternative or secondary treatment stage.
Can Wet Scrubbers Treat Acidic Gases and Chemical Fumes?
Wet scrubbers are particularly well suited to many acidic and corrosive gases.
Contaminants such as sulphur dioxide and hydrogen chloride can be treated using an alkaline scrubbing solution designed to neutralise the acidic pollutant as it transfers from the air into the liquid.
This makes wet scrubbers relevant to chemical manufacturing, pharmaceutical production, metal processing and other industrial processes where corrosive fumes or chemically reactive gases are generated.
Can Wet Scrubbers Remove Dust and Particles?
Yes. Wet scrubber technology can also capture airborne particulate matter.
Particles collide with liquid droplets or wetted surfaces and become incorporated into the scrubbing liquid rather than remaining suspended in the discharged air.
The effectiveness of particulate removal depends on factors such as particle size, droplet size, air velocity and scrubber design. Different types of wet scrubber may therefore be more appropriate depending on whether the primary requirement is gas treatment, odour control or fine-particle removal.
How Do You Know Which Pollutants Can Be Treated?
Not every pollutant responds to wet scrubbing in the same way. Before specifying a system, the contaminated air should be assessed to determine:
- Which pollutants are present
- Normal and peak concentrations
- Airflow rate
- Temperature and moisture conditions
- Solubility and chemical properties
- Required removal efficiency
- Appropriate scrubbing chemistry
This information determines the scrubber configuration, chemical dosing requirements and contact conditions required for effective treatment.
Exeon provides several industrial air filtration technologies, allowing wet scrubbing to be considered alongside activated carbon adsorption and biological filtration.
By matching the scrubX™ system and scrubbing chemistry to the actual contaminant profile, a wet scrubber can provide reliable treatment of demanding industrial gases, odours, fumes and particulates before atmospheric discharge.
Contact Exeon today to arrange a site consultation or request a tailored proposal. Our technical team will assess your airflow volumes and contaminant profile to design a system that delivers consistent emission control.