TECHNOLOGY FOR AIR

POLLUTION CONTROL PART2

CYCLONES
Principle
The particles are removed by the application of a
centrifugal force. The polluted gas stream is forced
into a vortex. the motion of the gas exerts a
centrifugal force on the particles, and they get
deposited on the inner surface of the cyclones
CYCLONES
CYCLONES (CONTD.)
Construction and Operation

The gas enters through the inlet, and is forced into a

spiral.

At the bottom, the gas reverses direction and flows

upwards.

To prevent particles in the incoming stream from

contaminatingthe clean gas, a vortex finder is
provided to separate them. the cleaned gas flows
out through the vortex finder.
CYCLONES (CONTD.)
Advantages of Cyclones
Cyclones have a lost capital cost
Reasonable high efficiency for specially designed cyclones.
They can be used under almost any operating condition.
Cyclones can be constructed of a wide variety of materials.
There are no moving parts, so there are no maintenance
requirements.

Disadvantages of Cyclones
They can be used for small particles
High pressure drops contribute to increased costs of
operation.
PROBLEM
A cyclone with a flow rate of 150 m3/min has
an efficiency of 80%. Estimate the efficiency
if the flow rate is doubled.
SOLUTION
Step 1
Q1 = 150 m3/min
Q2 = 300 m3/min
Pt1 = 100% - 80% = 20%
Pt2/Pt1 = (Q1/Q2)0.5
Step 2
Final Efficiency = 1- Pt2
= 86%
DIMENSIONS OF A STANDARD
CYCLONE
PROBLEM
Design of Cyclone

Body diameter = 0.75 m

Flow rate = 2.75 m3/s
p = 1600 kg/m3
g = 1.1 kg/m3
= 2.5*10-5 kg/m-s
High throughput
H = 0.8 * body diameter
W = 0.35 * body diameter
Lb = 1.7 * body diameter
Lc = 2.0 * body diameter
Calculate the diameter of particle with 50% efficiency
SOLUTION
Step 1:
Inlet Velocity = Q/A
= 17.46 m/s
Step 2:

Number of effective turns

Ne = (Lb + Lc/2)/H
Ne = 3.375
Step 3: Diameter of particle

dpc = 10 m
FILTER CLOTH
FABRIC FILTERS

Fabric Filter
FABRIC FILTERS
Principle
The filters retain particles larger than the mesh size

Air and most of the smaller particles flow through.

Some of the smaller particles are retained due to
interception and diffusion.

The retained particles cause a reduction in the

mesh size.

The primary collection is on the layer of previously

deposited particles.
DESIGN OF FABRIC
FILTERS
The equation for fabric filters is based on
Darcys law for flow through porous media.
Fabric filtration can be represented by the
following equation:
S = K e + K sw
Where,
S = filter drag, N-min/m3 S = P/V
Ke = extrapolated clean filter drag, N-min/m 3
Ks = slope constant. Varies with the dust, gas and fabric, N-
min/kg-m
W= Areal dust density = L V t
L = dust loading (g/m3), V = velocity (m/s)
Both Ke and Ks are determined empirically from
pilot tests.
Empirical Determination of Ke and Ks
PROBLEM
Estimate the values of Ke and Ks for the filter
drag model:
Time (min) 5 10 15 20 25 30
Filter P (Pa) 330 490 550 600 640 700

Limestone dust loading L = 1.00 g/m3

Fabric Area A = 1.00 m2
Air flow rate Q = 0.80 m3/min
SOLUTION
Step 1:
Calculate the air velocity
Air velocity= 0.80 (m3/min)/1.00 m2
=0.80 m/min
Step 2:

S = P/V 412.5 612.5 687.5 750 800 875

W = LVt 4 8 12 16 20 24

Step 3:
Determine Ke and Ks graphically
Ke = 470 N-min/m3 Ks = 0.563 N-min/g-m
 Fabric Filters

P Total pressure drop

Pf Pressure drop due to the fabric

Pp Pressure drop due to the particulate layer

Ps Pressure drop due to the bag house structure

ADVANTAGES OF FABRIC
FILTERS
Very high collection efficiency

They can operate over a wide range of

volumetric flow rates

The pressure drops are reasonably low.

Fabric Filter houses are modular in design,

and can be pre-assembled at the factory
FABRIC FILTERS (CONTD.)
Disadvantages of Fabric Filters
Fabric Filters require a large floor area.
The fabric is damaged at high temperature.
Ordinary fabrics cannot handle corrosive gases.
Fabric Filters cannot handle moist gas streams
A fabric filtration unit is a potential fire hazard
Darcys equation

Pf Pressure drop N/m2

Pp Pressure drop N/m2
Df Depth of filter in the direction of flow (m)
Dp Depth of particulate layer in the direction of flow (m)
Gas viscosity kg/m-s
V superficial filtering velocity m/min
Kf , K p Permeability (filter & particulate layer m 2)
60 Conversion factor /min
V = Q/A
Q volumetric gas flow rate m3/min
A cloth area m2
Dust Layer

L Dust loading kg/m3

t time of operation min
L Bulk density of the particulate layer kg/m 3

P = Pf + Pp

Filter Drag S = P/V

Areal dust density W = LVt
S= k1+k2W
PROBLEM
Estimate the net cloth area for a shaker bag
house that must filter 40,000 cfm of air with
10 grams of flour dust per cubic foot of air.
Also specify the number of components to be
used and calculate the total number of bags
required if each bag is 8 feet long and 0.5
feet in diameter. The maximum filtering
velocity for flour dust is 2.5 ft/min.
SOLUTION
Step 1:
Calculate total area and number of components
required. A = Q/V
Step 2:

Calculate the area of each bag.

A = (d) l
Step 3:

Calculate the total number of bags required.

Number of bags required = Total area / Area per bag
= 1270 bags
Number of compartments 4000 sq. ft. /
compartment
 ELECTROSTATIC
PRECIPITATOR

Electrostatic Charging of Dust Particles Cutaway of Electrostatic Precipitator

ELECTROSTATIC
PRECIPITATOR
Principle
The particles in a polluted gas stream are charged by passing them
through an electric field.
The charged particles are led through collector plates
The collector plates carry charges opposite to that on the particles
The particles are attracted to these collector plates and are thus
removed from the gas steam

Construction and Operation of Electrostatic

Precipitator
Charging Electrodes in the form of thin wires are placed in the path of the
influent gas.
The charging electrodes generate a strong electric field, which charges
the particles as they flow through it.
The collector plates get deposited with the particles. the particles are
occasionally removed either by rapping or by washing the collector
plates.
DESIGN OF ELECTROSTATIC
PRECIPITATORS
The efficiency of removal of particles by an
Electrostatic Precipitator is given by

= fractional collection efficiency

w = drift velocity, m/min.
A = available collection area, m2
Q = volumetric flow rate m3/min
MIGRATION VELOCITY

Where,
q = charge (Columbus)
Ep = collection field intensity (volts/m)
r = particle radius (m)
= dynamic viscosity of gas (Pa-S)
c = Cunningham correction factor
 Cunningham correction factor

where,
T = absolute temperature (k)
dp = diameter of particle (m)
PROBLEM
An ESP is designed to treat 50,000 m3/min
with 97 % efficiency. Assuming an effective
drift velocity of 2.5 m/min, calculate the
required plate area and the number of plates.
The plate size is 10 m by 5 m (height by
length).
SOLUTION
Step 1:
Efficiency of an Electrostatic Precipitator is
given by

A =-[ (Q/w)*ln(1- )]
A = 70,000 m2
Step 2:
Number of plates = total area/plate area
= 1400
ELECTROSTATIC PRECIPITATOR
(CONTD.)
Advantages of Electrostatic Precipitators
Electrostatic precipitators are capable very high
efficiency, generally of the order of 99.5-99.9%.
Since the electrostatic precipitators act on the
particles and not on the air, they can handle higher
loads with lower pressure drops.
They can operate at higher temperatures.
The operating costs are generally low.

Disadvantages of Electrostatic Precipitators

The initial capital costs are high.
Although they can be designed for a variety of
operating conditions, they are not very flexible to
changes in the operating conditions, once installed.
Particulate with high resistivity may go uncollected .
WET SCRUBBERS

Aeromix Wet Scrubber

WET SCRUBBERS

Floating Bed Wet Scrubber

WET SCRUBBERS
Principle
Wet scrubbers are used for removal of particles which
have a diameter of the order of 0.2 mm or higher.
Wet scrubbers work by spraying a stream of fine liquid
droplets on the incoming stream.
The droplets capture the particles
The liquid is subsequently removed for treatment.

Construction and Operation

A wet scrubber consists of a rectangular or circular
chamber in which nozzles are mounted.
The nozzles spray a stream of droplets on the incoming
gas stream
The droplets contact the particulate matter, and the
particles get sorbed.
The droplet size has to be optimized.
WET SCRUBBERS
(CONTD.)
o Construction and Operation (contd.)
Smaller droplets provide better cleaning, but are more
difficult to remove from the cleaned stream.
The polluted spray is collected.
Particles are settled out or otherwise removed from
the liquid.
The liquid is recycled.
Wet scrubbers are also used for the removal of gases
from the air streams.
SCRUBBER
Efficiency

where,
k = Scrubber coefficient (m3 of gas/ m3 of liquid)
R = Liquid-to-gas flow rate (QL/QG)
= internal impaction parameter

Internal impaction parameter

where,
c = Cunningham correction factor
p = particle density (kg/m3)
Vg = speed of gas at throat (m/sec)
dp = diameter of particle (m)
dd = diameter of droplet (m)
= dynamic viscosity of gas, (Pa-S)
WET SCRUBBERS
(CONTD.)
Advantages of Wet Scrubbers
Wet Scrubbers can handle incoming streams at high
temperature, thus removing the need for temperature
control equipment.
Wet scrubbers can handle high particle loading.
Loading fluctuations do not affect the removal efficiency.
They can handle explosive gases with little risk.
Gas adsorption and dust collection are handled in one unit.
Corrosive gases and dusts are neutralized.

Disadvantages of Wet Scrubbers

High potential for corrosive problems
Effluent scrubbing liquid poses a water pollution problem.
CYCLONE SPRAY
CHAMBERS
These scrubbers combine a cyclone with a
spray nozzle.

The added centrifugal force permits good

separation of the droplets, hence a smaller
droplet size can be used.

Cyclone spray chambers provide up to 95%

removal of particles > 5 micron.
ORIFICE SCRUBBERS
The gas is impacted onto a layer of the
scrubbing liquid.

The gas passes through the liquid, thus

removing almost all the particulate matter,
and a large portion of the probable gases.
After coming out of the liquid, the gas is
passed through baffles to remove the liquid
droplets.
IMPINGEMENT
SCRUBBERS
In Impingement scrubbers, the gas impacts a
layer of liquid/froth through a perforated tray.

Passing through this layer removes the

particulate matter.

The wet gas stream is then passed through a

mist collector.
VENTURI SCRUBBERS
VENTURI SCRUBBERS
The dirty gas is led in to the chamber at high
inlet velocities.
At the inlet throat, liquid at low pressure is
added to the gas stream
This increases the relative velocity between
the gas and the droplets, thus increasing the
efficiency of removal.
Efficiencies of the range of 95% for particles
larger than 0.2 mm have been obtained.
VENTURI SCRUBBER
Absolute Pressure Drop

p = pressure drop ( cm of water)

ug = gas velocity (cm/s)
Qt = liquid volume flow rate
Qg = gas volume flow rate
PROBLEM
Water is introduced into the throat of a
venturi scrubber. The air velocity through the
scrubber is 550 fps and the liquid to gas ratio
is 8.5 gal/1000 actual ft3. Determine the
pressure drop?
SOLUTION
Step 1:
Absolute pressure drop is given by

p = 4.8
HYDROCARBON
CONTROL
GENERAL METHODS FOR
CONTROL OF HYDROCARBON
EMISSIONS
Incineration or after burning

Direct flame incineration

Thermal incineration
Catalytic incineration
DIRECT FLAME
INCINERATION
CATALYTIC INCINERATION
THERMAL INCINERATOR
CATALYTIC INCINERATOR WITH
HEAT RECOVERY
PROBLEM
Calculate the removal efficiency of a
burner if the concentration of HC was
reduced from 1300 ppm to 100 ppm.
SOLUTION
Step 1:
Removal Efficiency of the burner
Efficiency = (initial concentration final concentration)/
initial concentration

Efficiency of the burner = 92.3%

VOC INCINERATORS
VOC INCINERATORS
Principle
VOC incinerators thermally oxidize the effluent stream,
in the presence of excess air.
The complete oxidation of the VOC results in the
formation of carbon monoxide and water. The reaction
proceeds as follows:

CxHy + ( x + y/4 ) O2 x CO2 + (y/2) H2O

Operation

The most important parameters in the design and

operation of an incineration system are what are called
the
' three T's ' Temperature, Turbulence, and residence Time.
VOC INCINERATORS
(CONTD.)
Temperature
The reaction kinetics are very sensitive to temperature
The higher the temperature, the faster the reaction

o Timing
A certain time has to be provided for the reaction to
proceed

o Turbulence
Turbulence promotes mixing between the VOC's and oxygen
Proper mixing helps the reaction to proceed to completion
in the given time.
VOC INCINERATORS
(CONTD.)
The various methods for incineration are:

Elevated fires, for concentrated streams

Direct thermal oxidation, for dilute streams

Catalytic oxidation, for dilute streams.

PROBLEM
In a workshop a mixture of chemicals were
released,
Benzene 3000 ppm
Toulene 1000 ppm
Methane 2000 ppm
Calculate the lower exposure limit (LEL) of the
mixture

LEL by volume for each chemical

Benzene 1.4 %
Toulene 1.27 %
Methane 5.00%
SOLUTION

LEL of a mixture:

Xi - Volume of i component in the mixture

Xm - Volume of mixture
LELi - LEL of i component

LELmix = [3000/(6000*1.4) + 1000/(6000*1.27) + 2000/

(6000*5)]-1

= 1.79%
GASES
AIR POLLUTION CONTROL
FOR GASES
Adsorption Towers

Thermal Incernation

Catalytic Combustion
Air Correction Equipment for Gases and Vapors
ADSORPTION TOWERS
Principle

Adsorption towers use adsorbents to remove the

impurities from the gas stream.

The impurities bind either physically or chemically to

the adsorbing material.

The impurities can be recovered by regenerating the

adsorbent.

Adsorption towers can remove low concentrations of

impurities from the flue gas stream.

ADSORPTION TOWERS
(CONTD.)
Construction and Operation
Adsorption towers consist of cylinders packed with the
adsorbent.
The adsorbent is supported on a heavy screen
Since adsorption is temperature dependent, the flue gas is
temperature conditioned.
Vapor monitors are provided to detect for large concentrations
in the effluent. Large concentrations of the pollutant in the
effluent indicate that the adsorbent needs to be regenerated.

Advantages of Adsorption Towers

Very low concentrations of pollutants can be removed.
Energy consumption is low.
Do not need much maintenance.
Economically valuable material can be recovered during
regeneration.