Hydrodynamics characterization of a counter-current spray column for particulate scrubbing from flue gases

Abstract

Growing environmental concern and tightening of the regulations for particulate emission from various sources force us to think of an alternative technology for their control, which is cost effective and of high performance. A spray column using a wet process to control the particulates offers design simplicity, and has various other advantages over other conventional equipment used in industry. This work presents the hydrodynamic study of the spray column for the removal of particulates from gaseous wastes. Experiments were carried out to quantify pressure drop (?P), for varied gas and liquid rates ranging from 3.084 × 10-3 to 5.584 × 10-3 Nm3/s and 8.35 × 10-6 to 33.34 × 10 -6 m3/s, respectively with Q<inf>L</inf>/Q<inf>G</inf> ratio ranging from 1.59 to 10.81 m3 per 1000 ACM (actual cubic meter). The maximum pressure drop incurred in the column is 327 N/m3, which is at a gas rate of 5.584 × 10-3 Nm3/s, liquid rate of 33.34 × 10-6 m3/s, and an inlet solid loading range of 0-2.5 kg/m3. This is quite low compared to other wet process-based equipment, thus making it a low power loss scrubber. These results have further demonstrated the impact of solid dust (particulates) on the pressuredrop-hydrodynamics. A correlation was put forward for prediction of the overall pressure drop in the column. The experimental values agreed well with the predicted values, with minimum percentage error and standard deviation. © 2008 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.