Packed Scrubber Design

Basics
Gas-Liquid Equilibrium
Operating Line
Tower Diameter and Pressure Drop
Mass Transfer and Tower Height

In absorption processes, gaseous
contaminants are removed from a gas
stream by transferring them to a liquid.
That liquid is usually water or an aqueous
solution that contains chemicals selected
to react with the absorbed contaminants.
Most systems operate with collection
efficiencies of 70 percent to over 99
percent
Packed bed systems are typically used for
highly water soluble gases such as HCl or
HF or NH3
Spray towers are usually used on power
plants due to their lower pressure drop
Absorption Basics
The most important factor affecting collection
efficiency is the solubility of the contaminant
in the liquid.
Gases are more soluble in cold liquids than
in hot liquids and less soluble in liquids with
low pH.
The liquid surface area and the time
available for diffusion of the gaseous
contaminants into the liquid are also
important factors affecting performance
Solubility
There are many equipment designs for contacting the
liquid with the contaminated gas stream. The most
common ones are:

- spray towers,
- tray towers,
- packed beds, and
- spray dryers.

Types of Absorbers
Packed Scrubber Design
Basics
Gas-Liquid Equilibrium
Operating Line
Tower Diameter and Pressure Drop
Mass Transfer and Tower Height
Packed Scrubber Design
Basics
Gas-Liquid Equilibrium
Operating Line
Tower Diameter and Pressure Drop
Mass Transfer and Tower Height

Packed Scrubber Design
Basics
Gas-Liquid Equilibrium
Operating Line
Tower Diameter and Pressure Drop
Mass Transfer and Tower Height

Packed Scrubber Design
Basics
Gas-Liquid Equilibrium
Operating Line
Tower Diameter and Pressure Drop
Mass Transfer and Tower Height

Two film theory
For a highly soluble gas such as HCl or HF in
water, m = 0. Then Nog simplifies to:
( )
1
2
1
ln ln
1
O G
Y
N
Y q
| |
| |
= =
|
|
|

\ .
\ .
In this case, to achieve 99% removal:
( )
1
ln 4 . 6
0 . 0 1
O G
N
| |
= =
|
|
\ .
(g/mole) gas pollutant of weight molecular M
(atm) pressure system total P
) /m (m interface liquid - gas of area effective a
Pa) - m - (moles/h phase gas on based t coefficien transfer - mass overall K
) m - (g/h velocity mass l superficia gas G'
(m) resistance phase gas overall on based unit transfer a of height H
(m) unit transfer a of height HTU
) )(P)(M (a K
G'
H HTU
G
3 2
e
2
OG
2
OG
G e OG
OG
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
= =
where
Height of a transfer unit
There are several operating problems that can occur in absorption systems.
The most common of these include the following:

Inadequate liquid flow
Low inlet liquid pH
Poor gas-liquid contact
Inadequate chemical feed rate
Excessive liquid temperature
Plugged beds or mist eliminators
Corrosion
Decreased Performance
To determine if an adsorption system is working properly,
field personnel should observe if possible:

Outlet Gas Stream Contaminant Measurement
not likely available

Temperature Difference between the Gas Inlet and
Outlet,

Liquid Flow Rate and Liquid Pressures.

Pressure Drop, and Stack Opacity
Decreased Performance