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Home / Blog / Vent Gas Scrubber Systems: Design, Applications, and Cost Guide

Vent Gas Scrubber Systems: Design, Applications, and Cost Guide

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Author: Michael Klepik, Chief Executive Officer
What is a vent gas scrubber?
It is a device designed to clean the air passing through a ventilation system from contaminants such as dust, vapors, aerosols, grease, gases, and other harmful substances.
Unlike conventional filters, scrubbers often use liquids or chemical solutions to absorb and neutralize pollutants.

A dry scrubber ventilation system uses solid sorbents or catalytic materials instead of liquids.

Key Application Areas

Vent gas scrubber meaning refers to devices used for purifying gases exiting ventilation systems, especially those containing hazardous or odorous compounds. Its implementation increases the longevity of ventilation infrastructure, helps prevent fires and explosions, and greatly enhances air quality.
🏭 Industry
  • Removal of dust, acidic and alkaline vapors, chemical aerosols
  • Protection of equipment and compliance with emission regulations
  • Examples: chemical plants, metallurgy, plastics manufacturing, oil refining
🍽️ Food Service & Commercial Kitchens
  • Elimination of grease, smoke, soot, and odors from kitchen exhaust
  • Reduced fire risk and prevention of exterior surface contamination
  • Examples: restaurants, food courts, commissary kitchens
🔬 Laboratories & Pharmaceuticals
  • Gas purification from reagents, toxic or active substances
  • Removal of hazardous vapors and maintaining sterile environments
  • Examples: analytical laboratories, pharmaceutical factories, medical facilities

Operating Principle

An air scrubber ventilation system operates based on the principle of contact between contaminated air and a liquid or filtering medium, depending on its design.

How it works:
1. Contaminated gas enters the unit housing.
2. Inside, the airstream comes into contact with a liquid (usually water or a chemical solution) or a filtering medium
3. Pollutants are captured, dissolved, or settle out.
4. Clean flow continues through the ventilation system.

Moisture and remaining contaminants are removed using a mist eliminator, which prevents liquid from entering the ductwork.

💨 Types of Contaminants and Their Sources

Contaminant Type

Examples and Source

Water droplets and moisture

After air cooling, humidification, or condensation

Grease, soot, oily aerosols

Restaurant exhausts, deep fryers, thermal cooking processes

Smoke and combustion particles

Thermal treatment, waste incineration, operation of ovens and grills

Chemical vapors

Acids, alkalis, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) — chemical/pharma industries

Dust and fine particulate matter

Grinding, cutting, bulk materials, powder-generating processes

Torch-Air Solutions – Examples

A scrubber is considered a ventilation-type unit when it is used as part of a ventilation system to clean the air.
  • Spray vent gas scrubber system (also called spray column) is a hollow structure that contains only spray nozzles which disperse liquid.
  • Packed bed towers contain special packing elements that increase the surface area for phase contact, improving mass transfer efficiency.
  • Tray towers enable prolonged and intense contact between phases by forming a stable foam layer or turbulent liquid bed inside the column. This is achieved using specially designed trays that promote turbulence and foaming.
  • A Venturi scrubber ventilation set up works by accelerating the gas stream through a narrowing section, where it mixes intensively with sprayed liquid. The high velocity and turbulence allow for efficient capture of fine particles and aerosols, including pollutants smaller than 1 micron.
  • Tank vent scrubber is designed for controlling localized emissions from storage tanks and vessels. It typically features a compact design with minimal pressure drop, using a packed or spray section to neutralize or absorb vapors such as VOCs, solvents, or corrosive gases released during filling or venting operations.

💧 Droplet Mist Eliminator

The Droplet Mist Eliminator is designed to remove moisture droplets from air after wet scrubber ventilation systems, air coolers, and hydrofilters. It consists of a metal housing with zigzag baffles, a drainage tray, and a collection pan.

Key benefits:
  • Effectively captures droplets ≥20 microns;
  • Service life over 10 years;
  • Modular assembly without welding;
  • Easy installation without modifying ductwork.
Why is a mist eliminator important?
After air passes through a spray or cleaning zone, it often retains moisture droplets and fine aerosols. If not removed, these can:
  • Damage ventilation equipment through corrosion;
  • Raise humidity to unacceptable levels in sensitive zones (labs, food production);
  • Contain hazardous compounds that may be released into the atmosphere.
Mist eliminators are plate or fiber sections that trap droplets ≥10–20 microns with up to 99% efficiency. They are usually installed after the main chamber.
Mist Eliminators and Droplet Separators

Restaurant Air Ventilation Scrubber (PCU)

Designed for commercial kitchens, this air scrubber ventilation unit removes grease, smoke, and odors from exhaust. Operates at air temperatures up to +400 °C, with built-in spark arrestor and water cooling system. Reduces grease/soot by up to 40%.
Eco-friendly — no disposable filters required, closed-loop water system. Fully compliant with fire safety standards.
PCU for commercial kitchens, cafes, restaurants and hotels
We manufacture two models in this class:
TORCH Profi
Heavy-duty air purification and spark suppression for restaurants, cafes, pizzerias, and other facilities with open flame — such as grills, wood/coal ovens, barbecue stations, and saunas.
Airflow capacity: 600 to 12,000 CFM (≈1,000–20,000 m³/h)
Efficiency: 100% spark suppression, 95% grease, soot, ash removal, ≥40% smoke and odor reduction.
Construction: Modular stainless steel housing, temperature-resistant up to 250 °C; includes water spray system, labyrinth packing, and mist eliminator.
Automation: Monitors water level, temperature, and alarms; includes self-cleaning system.

TORCH Mini
Compact vent gas scrubber for air cleaning, spark suppression, and removal of grease, smoke, and odors — ideal for cafes, BBQs, pizzerias, and grills where space is limited.
Airflow capacity: 100 to 6,500 CFM (≈170–11,000 m³/h)
Efficiency: 99% spark suppression, 95% grease, ash, soot removal, ≥40% smoke reduction, ≥20% odor reduction.
Design: AISI stainless steel body, modular, tool-free maintenance.
Mounting options: Horizontal (natural draft) or vertical (with fan if needed).
Water: Works with water supply or recirculation system.

These units expand our product line to meet a range of ventilation air cleaning needs — from powerful Profi equipment for high-load kitchens, to space-saving Mini installations for smaller foodservice locations.

Our vent gas scrubber factory is equipped with advanced technology to produce high-quality equipment that meet industry standards.

Design Guide

Vent gas scrubber design is a crucial stage that requires thorough preparation, engineering expertise, and comprehensive technical data from the client. Based on the provided information, calculations are performed and the optimal configuration is selected. The result is a customized solution, tailored in terms of performance, dimensions, materials, and operational requirements.

Step 1: Input Data Analysis
At this stage, it’s essential to describe the incoming gas stream as accurately as possible. If sufficient data on the composition is unavailable, laboratory testing can be conducted.

Chemical composition of gases:
  • Acidic vapors (HCl, H₂SO₄, HNO₃, etc.)
  • Alkaline compounds (NH₃, NaOH)
  • Volatile organic compounds (VOC)
  • Gaseous combustion byproducts, odors, solvent vapors
  • Grease and oil aerosols – from frying, deep-fat cooking, grilling (especially in kitchens)
  • Soot, ash, and smoke – from combustion of fats, wood, coal
  • Sparks and high-temperature particles – in hoods with open flames (grills, ovens, barbecues)
Physical and chemical parameters:
  • Gas flow rate in m³/h or CFM
  • Temperature
  • Pressure (atmospheric or near-atmospheric)
  • Humidity: dry or moist air
  • Pollutant concentration in mg/m³ or ppm
Venturi TORNADO-FB
Venturi TORNADO-FB
Step 2: Configuration Type Selection

Type

Suitable For

Spray Tower

Simple emissions, odors, low pollutant concentrations

Packed bed Tower

VOCs, acid/alkali vapors, perfumery, pharmaceuticals

Venturi

Dust, aerosols, fine particles (<1 μm), aggressive environments

Foam/ Tray Tower / Plate column

Increased contact surface, unstable flows

Tank vent

Local emissions from storage tanks and vessels

Kitchen pollution control units (PCU)

Grease, soot, smoke, odors from commercial kitchens, grills, barbecues (up to 400 °C)


Step 3: Hydraulic and Mass Transfer Calculations
  • Determination of residence time
  • Selection of liquid-to-gas ratio (L/G)
  • Determining mass transfer surface area (packing, foam, mist)
  • Pressure drop and system resistance
  • Required cleaning efficiency (%)
Step 4: Material and Component Selection
  • Casing: AISI 304/316, FRP, PP, PVC – depending on chemical exposure
  • Nozzles: clog-resistant and chemically resistant
  • Mist eliminator: vane-type, mesh-type, or cyclone
  • Pumps, recirculation system, valves, sensors
Step 5: Mechanical Design & Layout
  • Vertical or horizontal configuration
  • Number of stages (1–3)
  • Drainage, water supply, nozzles, trays, packing
  • Serviceability: inspection ports, access to mist eliminator
  • Automation: monitoring of level, flow, temperature, and alarms

Cost Overview

When planning to improve your facility’s air quality, understanding the wet scrubber ventilation costs is crucial for budgeting and project planning. In the US, prices for this type of equipment typically range from $5,000 to $50,000 or more, depending on the size, capacity, and specific features. Smaller units designed for restaurants or cafes usually cost between $5,000 and $15,000, while large industrial installations can exceed $50,000.

Whether you need a compact setup for a small kitchen or a large-scale system for industrial use, we have solutions tailored to your requirements. Additionally, we offer free consultations to help you navigate technical specifications and budget planning, ensuring the most efficient and cost-effective solution for your ventilation needs.

Contact us today to receive your personalized pricelist and learn more about how our equipment can enhance air quality while fitting your budget.
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Vladimir Nikulin
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