(A) CONTROL DEVICES FOR PARTICULATE
CONTAMINANTS
The various types of control devices or equipments used for the
of particulate removal
matter from stationary sources are briefly discussed as under
(1) Settling Chamber. It is the simplest type of equipment used for the
collection of solid particles. The settling chamber (Fig. 5.1) consists of a chamber
in which the carrier gas velocity is reduced, so as to allow the particulates to
settle out of the moving stream under the action of gravity on the base of the
chamber. The gas velocity in the chamber is kept sufficiently low, so that the
settling time of a particle entering the chamber at the top is same or less than
the time taken by the flue gas to pass through the chamber.
Inlet Exit
Dust Clean gas
laden gas
-Hopper
Fig. 5.1. Settling chamber.
Advantages :
" Low initial cost.
" Simple construction (in brick or stone mnasonry or concrete).
Low maintenance cost.
Dry and continuous disposal of solid particulates.
Disadvantages
" Large space requirement.
Comparatively larger size (>10 um) particles can be collected.
(2) Cyclone. It is a structure without moving parts, in which the velocity
of an inlet dust laden gas stream is transformed into a combined vortex from
which centrifugal forces tend to drive the suspended particles to the wall of the
cyclone body. Cyclone (Fig. 5.2) consists of a vertically placed cylinder which
has an inverted cone attached to its base. The particulate-laden gas stream
enters tangentially at the inlet point into the cylinder. The gas path generally
follows double-vortex. First, the gas spirals downwards at the outer periphery
of the cylindrical portion, continues through the conical portion and reaches
the bottom. The gas stream then moves upwards in a narrOwer inner spiral.
concentric with first one, and leaves through the outlet pipe provided at the
top. Due to rapid spiralling movement of the gas. the particles are throwin
towards the wall by centrifugal force and they drop downwards by gravity to the
bottom of the cyclone body. where they are collected in a storage hopper. Ine
magnitude of centrifugal force employed in cyclone designs vary from 5 to Z
210 A Basic Course in Environmental Studies
times gravity depending on the diameter of the cyclone. Cyclone efficiencies
greater than 90% for particles with dia. of the order of 10
dia. higher than 20 um, the efficiency is about 95%. um. For particles
Inlet
Outlet Dust free gas
Inlet
Dust
laden Gas
Dust
Fig. 5.2. Cyclone.
Advantages:
Low initial cost.
" Simple construction and operation.
" Low pressure drop.
" Low maintenance requirements.
No moving parts.
Can be constructed of any material, which will meet the temperature
and pressure requirements, and the corrosion potential of the flue gas.
Disadvantages :
Low efficiency for particles below 5 to 10 um in size.
" Equipment is subjected to severe abrasive deterioration.
(3) Filters. Particulate matter can be filtered, if the fumes containing
them are forced to pass through a filtering device. The particles are held, while
Environmental Pollution 211
ie gases pass through the media. Cloth fabric or fibrous medium, like mats
OT wool, cellulose, etc. may be used as a separator (or filter media). The most
cOmmon type of fabric collector, used in industries, is 'Bag Filter (Fig. 5.3). It
COnsists of numerous vertical bags, 120 to 400 mm dia. and 2 to 10 m long.
Dust laden fumes are passed through, under pressure. Periodically, the bag
Contents are shaken out in dust collection containers. There are several models
of bag-filters, in which shaking, damping and cleaning devices are also added
for an overall greater efficiency.
Shaking
arrangement
Filter bags
Exit
Clean air
-Baffle plate
Inlet
Dusty gas
Hopper
Fig. 5.3. Bag filter.
Advantages :
" High collection efficiency for particles less than 10 um in diameter.
" Simple construction and operation.
" Normal power consumption.
Disadvantages :
" High maintenance and fabric replacement cost.
" Large size of equipment.
" Operating limits are imposed by high temperature of carier gas and
high humidity.
(4) Electrostatic Precipitators (ESPs). Electrostatic precipitators are
particulate collection devices, that utilize electric energy directly to assist in the
removal of the particular matter. An electrostatic precipitator (Fig. 5.4) consist
of a thick cylinder, with an inlet on lower side and an exit on the top. In e
cylinder a discharge electrode is inserted from the top to bottom, and connecteo
212 ABasic Course in Environmental Studies
ct
hioh voltage cable. When the dust laden fumes enter the ESP the large size
toles settle down due to gravity, while the smaller charged particles settle
an the oppositely charged electrode surface; and on getting accumulated, they
aadually fall down and pass out of the cylinder from the bottom outlet. The
loan, dust free, smoke rises through the cylinder and gets expelled out of the
it. ESP of different capacities can be designed. ESPs can be 'dry precipitators'
nd 'wet precipitators'. If the particulate matter is removed from electrode
hu scrapping or vibrations, then it is called 'Dry ESP'; and if particulates are
wemoved by using water or any other fluid, then it is called "Wet ESP'. Though
uet precipitators are more efficient, but dry precipitators are preferred.
-High voltage
cable
Clean air
Electrode
Inlet
Dusty air
To dust collector
Fig. 5.4. Electrostatic precipitator.
Advantages :
" High collection efficiency.
" Particles as small as 0.1 um can be removed.
" Low maintenance and operating cost.
Treatment time is negligible (about 0.1 to 10 sec.).
" Satisfactory handling of large volume of flue gases.
Disadvantages:
" High initial cost.
" Space requirement is more.
" Poisonous ozone gas is produced by high voltage discharge electrodes
during gas ionisation.
Environmental Pollution 213
(5) Scrubbers or Wet Collectors.
(particulate matter), but toxic gases also. SoFactory fumes not only contain dus
it is necessary that as far as possible
a toxC/harmful substances (particulates and gases) are removed before the
emission of smoke. Scrubbers are devices which utilize water or any other specific
lquid to assist in the removal of particulates as well as gases by absorption and
or adsorption. The simplest type of gas scrubber is spray tower (ig. 5.5). It can
be either cylindrical or rectanqular. Gas is passed countercurrernt to talling drops
of water or liquid from a number of spray-nozzles. They can remove particulate
matter of less than 0.2 um in diameter, as well as toxic gases. The other types of
Scrubbers used are venturi-scrubbers, cyclone-scrubbers, and packed-scrubbers
Clean gas outlet
Liquid absorbent
inlets
Baffles
Contaminated
gas inlet
Absorbant-contaminant
solution outlet
Fig. 5.5. Spray tower.
Advantages :
Low initial cost.
High collection efficiency for small particles.
" Applicable for high temperature installations.
Disadvantages :
" High power consumptions for higher efficiency.
Moderate to high maintenance cost due to corrosion and abrasion.
Wet disposal of the collected material.
SELECTION OF EQUIPMENT
For selecting a particular collector from
following factors must be taken into various equipments available. ue
consideration:
(i) Particulate size, shape and density.
(ii) Particulate loading, in mgm'.
214 A Basic Course in Environmental Studies
