Baffle spray scrubbers are a technology for air
pollution control. They are very similar to
spray towers in design and operation. However, in addition to using the energy provided by the spray nozzles,
baffles are added to allow the gas stream to atomize some liquid as it passes over them.
A simple baffle scrubber system is shown in Figure 1. Liquid sprays capture
pollutants and also remove collected particles from the baffles. Adding baffles slightly increases the
pressure drop of the system.
This type of technology is a part of the group of
air pollution
Air pollution is the contamination of air due to the presence of substances in the atmosphere that are harmful to the health of humans and other living beings, or cause damage to the climate or to materials. There are many different types ...
controls collectively referred to as
wet scrubbers.
A number of wet-scrubber designs use energy from both the gas stream and liquid stream to collect pollutants. Many of these combination devices are available commercially.
A seemingly unending number of scrubber designs have been developed by changing system geometry and incorporating vanes, nozzles, and baffles.
Particle collection
These devices are used much the same as
spray towers - to preclean or remove particles larger than 10 μm in diameter. However, they will tend to plug or corrode if particle concentration of the exhaust gas stream is high.
Gas collection
Even though these devices are not specifically used for gas collection, they are capable of a small amount of gas
absorption
Absorption may refer to:
Chemistry and biology
* Absorption (biology), digestion
**Absorption (small intestine)
*Absorption (chemistry), diffusion of particles of gas or liquid into liquid or solid materials
*Absorption (skin), a route by which ...
because of their large wetted surface.
Summary
These devices are most commonly used as precleaners to remove large particles (>10 μm in diameter). The
pressure drops across baffle scrubbers are usually low, but so are the collection efficiencies. Maintenance problems are minimal. The main problem is the buildup of solids on the baffles.
Table 1 summarizes the operating characteristics of baffle spray scrubbers.
US EPA Air Pollution Training Institute
developed in collaboration with North Carolina State University, College of Engineering (NCSU)
Bibliography
*Bethea, R. M. 1978. Air Pollution Control Technology. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold.
*McIlvaine Company. 1974. The Wet Scrubber Handbook. Northbrook, IL: McIlvaine Company.
*Richards, J. R. 1995. Control of Particulate Emissions (APTI Course 413). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
*Richards, J. R. 1995. Control of Gaseous Emissions. (APTI Course 415). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
*U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 1969. Control Techniques for Particulate Air Pollutants. AP-51.
References
Institute of Clean Air Companies
{{Webarchive, url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001153344/https://www.icac.com/ , date=2020-10-01 - national trade association representing emissions control manufacturers
Pollution control technologies
Air pollution control systems
Wet scrubbers
Liquid-phase and gas-phase contacting scrubbers