Here's a step-by-step description of the typical scrubber process equipment:
1. Intake of Polluted Gas Stream: The process starts with the intake of a polluted gas stream from a particular source, such as industrial emissions or combustion exhaust.
2. Contact with Scrubbing Medium: The polluted gas is directed into the scrubber where it comes in contact with a scrubbing medium. This medium can be a liquid (commonly water) or a dry compound, depending on the type of scrubber.
3. Dispersion of Scrubbing Medium: In wet scrubbers, the scrubbing liquid can be sprayed, misted, or bubbled through the polluted gas stream to ensure maximum contact between the gas and the liquid. The goal is to saturate the gas thoroughly.
4. Pollutant Capture: As the polluted gas stream comes in contact with the scrubbing medium, the pollutants are either:
- Absorbed into the liquid or dry medium.
- Chemically reacted with the scrubbing agent to form less harmful compounds.
5. Separation: Once the pollutants are captured or neutralized, the gas stream needs to be separated from the scrubbing medium:
- In wet scrubbers, the polluted liquid, now called slurry or effluent, is collected at the bottom or drained out.
- In dry scrubbers, the reacted solid compounds might be collected as waste.
6. Clean Gas Discharge: After separation, the cleaned gas is then released into the atmosphere or directed for further treatment, if necessary.
7. Treatment of Waste: The scrubbing medium, now containing the pollutants, needs to be treated or disposed of properly:
- In wet scrubbing, the slurry or effluent might be subjected to further treatment to neutralize or remove the pollutants before disposal.
- In dry scrubbing, the solid waste can be collected and managed as per environmental regulations.
8. Maintenance & Monitoring: Scrubbers are equipped with monitoring devices to ensure their efficiency. Periodic checks, maintenance, and cleaning of the system are necessary to ensure it operates effectively and complies with environmental standards.
9. Recirculation (if applicable): In some scrubber systems, the scrubbing liquid can be cleaned, treated, and recirculated back into the scrubber for reuse, reducing the overall consumption of the scrubbing medium.
Different types of scrubbers (e.g.,
venturi scrubbers, packed bed scrubbers, spray towers) may have variations in their process, but the general steps outlined above capture the essence of the scrubbing operation