Removal of ammonia and particulate matter using a modified turbulent wet scrubbing system

Abstract

Conventional scrubbers are typically modified to serve the needs of modern industries that discharge effluents that cause synergetic, adverse effects on the environment. We designed and developed a modified turbulent wet scrubber (MTWS) to remove air pollutants as they emerge from a coal furnace. Experiments were conducted to estimate the pressure drop and the efficiencies of ammonia gas and particulate removal via the MTWS. The optimum water levels and gas flow rates for effective scrubbing of ammonia gas at different concentrations and particulate matter at different feed rates were estimated. For ammonia gas at a concentration of 45 ppm, a gas flow rate of 3.5 m 3/s and a water level of 58 cm in MTWS and position B (central position of the nozzle) in the water level of the nozzle yielded efficient ammonia gas removal for the given time. Similarly, for a fly ash feeding rate of 140 mg/min, the same gas flow rate and water level in the MTWS yielded high efficiencies even for particles at the submicron level. © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.