III Year / Semester VI SCH1310 - ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION AND CONTROL UNIT-II

CONTROL OF AIR POLLUTION

The atmosphere has several built-in self cleaning processes such as dispersion, gravitational
settling, flocculation, absorption, rain-washout, etc to cleanse the atmosphere. However,
control of contaminants at their source level is a desirable and effective method through
preventive or control technologies.

Source control

1. Using unleaded petrol

2. Using fuels with low sulphur and ash content
3. Encouraging people to use public transport, walk or use a cycle as opposed
to private vehicles
4. Ensure that houses, schools, restaurants and playgrounds are not located on
busy streets
5. Plant trees along busy streets as they remove particulates, carbon dioxide
and absorb noise
6. Industries and waste disposal sites should be situated outside the city preferably
on the downwind of the city.
7. Catalytic converters should be used to help control emissions of carbon
monoxide and hydrocarbons

Control measures in industrial centers

1. Emission rates should be restricted to permissible levels by each and every

industry
2. Incorporation of air pollution control equipment in design of plant layout must be
made mandatory
3. Continuous monitoring of the atmosphere for pollutants should be carried out to
know the emission levels.

DEPARMENT OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING SATHYABAMA UNIVERSITY

III Year / Semester VI SCH1310 - ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION AND CONTROL UNIT-II

AIR POLLUTION CONTROL EQUIPMENTS

Scrubber systems are a diverse group of air pollution control devices that can be used to remove
some particulates and/or gases from industrial exhaust streams. "Scrubber" is a pollution control
devices that use liquid to wash unwanted pollutants from a gas stream. Scrubbers are one of the
primary devices that control gaseous emissions, especially acid gases, Fumes. Industrial
Scrubbers can also be used for heat recovery from hot gases by flue gas condensation. Scrubber
are used for scrubbing the abnoxious fumes such as silicon tetrafluride, HNO3, HCl, NH3,
Phosphoric acid, super phosphate & Fluorine.

The basic scrubber configurations are

Spray nozzle scrubbers - water are sprayed with high pressure through nozzles to produce the
droplets in the air

Venturi scrubbers - air or gas velocity is increased through a venturi shape - increased
turbulence atomize the water droplets

Packed bed scrubbers - air passes through wet-laden fiber mats where mists are collected. Not
suited if solid particles are present in the air since the fiber mats may plug

Combination Venturi-cum-packed bed Scrubbers

Cyclone Scrubbers

Impingement-plate scrubber - vertical scrubber with horizontal plates, air flows from bottom
to top, water flows from top to bottom

DEPARMENT OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING SATHYABAMA UNIVERSITY

III Year / Semester VI SCH1310 - ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION AND CONTROL UNIT-II

The cyclone is a widely used type of particulate collection device in which dust-laden gas
enters tangentially into a cylindrical or conical chamber and leaves through a central
opening. When very large gas volumes must be handled and high collection efficiencies
are needed a multiple of small diameter cyclones are usually nested together to form a
multicyclone.

Bag filter is used for collection of dry free flowing dust; typically dust from the dust-
laden air that enters by suction or positive pressure into the hopper. When this air travels
across the filter media, the dust is retained on the filter element and the clean air passes
through. The bags are periodically cleaned by Reverse Pulse jet type method.

DEPARMENT OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING SATHYABAMA UNIVERSITY

III Year / Semester VI SCH1310 - ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION AND CONTROL UNIT-II

UV SPECTROMETRY

Spectrophotometry is the quantitative measurement of the reflection or transmission properties of

a material as a function of wavelength.The most common spectrophotometers are used in the UV
and visible regions of the spectrum, and some of these instruments also operate into the near-
infrared region as well.Visible region 400–700 nm spectrophotometry is used extensively in
colorimetry science. It is a known fact that it operates best at the range of 0.2-0.8 O.D. Ink
manufacturers, printing companies, textiles vendors, and many more, need the data provided
through colorimetry. They take readings in the region of every 5–20 nanometers along the visible
region, and produce a spectral reflectance curve or a data stream for alternative presentations.
These curves can be used to test a new batch of colorant to check if it makes a match to
specifications, e.g., ISO printing standards.

DEPARMENT OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING SATHYABAMA UNIVERSITY

III Year / Semester VI SCH1310 - ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION AND CONTROL UNIT-II

Electrostatic Precipitator (ESP)

The first use of corona discharge to remove particles from an aerosol was by Hohlfeld in
1824. However, it was not commercialized until almost a century later.
In 1907 Frederick Gardner Cottrell, a professor of chemistry at the University of California,
Berkeley, applied for a patent on a device for charging particles and then collecting them
through electrostatic attraction—the first electrostatic precipitator. Cottrell first applied the
device to the collection of sulphuric acid mist and lead oxide fumes emitted from various acid-
making and smelting activities. Wine-producing vineyards in northern California were being
adversely affected by the lead emissions.
III Year / Semester VI SCH1310 - ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION AND CONTROL UNIT-II

At the time of Cottrell's invention, the theoretical basis for operation was not understood. The
operational theory was developed later in Germany, with the work of Walter Deutsch and the
formation of the Lurgi company.
Cottrell used proceeds from his invention to fund scientific research through the creation of a
foundation called Research Corporation in 1912, to which he assigned the patents. The intent of
the organization was to bring inventions made by educators (such as Cottrell) into the
commercial world for the benefit of society at large. The operation of Research Corporation is
funded by royalties paid by commercial firms after commercialization occurs. Research
Corporation has provided vital funding to many scientific projects: Goddard's rocketry
experiments, Lawrence's cyclotron, production methods for vitamins A and B1, among many
others.
By a decision of the US Supreme Court, the Corporation had to be split into several entities. The
Research Corporation was separated from two commercial firms making the hardware:
Research-Cottrell Inc. (operating east of the Mississippi River) and Western Precipitation
(operating in the western states). The Research Corporation continues to be active to this day,
and the two companies formed to commercialize the invention for industrial and utility
applications are still in business as well.
Electrophoresis is the term used for migration of gas-suspended charged particles in a direct-
current electrostatic field. Traditional CRT television sets tend to accumulate dust on the screen
because of this phenomenon (a CRT is a direct-current machine operating at about 15 kilovolts).

Air Pollution Control Devices

Air pollution control devices (APCD) are a series of devices which are used to prevent a variety
of different pollutants, both gaseous and solid, from entering the atmosphere mainly out of the
industrial stacks. These control devices can be separated into two broad categories namely (i)
devices which control the amount of particulate matter escaping into the environment, and (ii)
devices which controls the acidic gas emissions into the atmosphere.
By and large the air pollutants are generated due to the combustion of fuels in the furnaces. The
major combustion-generated pollutants are the oxides of nitrogen (NOx), sulphur dioxide (SO2),
carbon monoxide (CO), unburned hydrocarbons, and particulate matter.
The generated pollutants are carried by the exhaust gases produced during the combustion of the
fuel. These exhaust gases are then normally passed through the APCDs before releasing them to
the atmosphere. The pollutants are removed, destroyed, or transformed in the control devices
before the discharge of the exhaust gas into the atmospheric air.
Common methods for removing the pollutants from the exhaust gases work on the following
principles.
 Destroying pollutants by thermal or catalytic combustion, such as by use of a flare stack,
a high temperature incinerator, or a catalytic combustion reactor. This technique is used when
the pollutants are in the form of organic gases or vapours. During flame combustion or
catalytic process, these organic pollutants are converted into water vapour and relatively less
harmful products, such as carbon dioxide (CO2).
 Changing pollutants to less harmful forms through chemical reactions, such as converting
nitrogen oxides (NOx) to nitrogen and water through the addition of ammonia to the exhaust
gas in front of a selective catalytic reactor.


III Year / Semester VI SCH1310 - ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION AND CONTROL UNIT-II

In the technique known as ‘absorption’, the gaseous effluents are passed through scrubbers or
absorbers. These contain a suitable liquid absorbent, which removes or modifies one or more of
the pollutants present in the gaseous effluents.
 In the technique known as ‘adsorption’, the gaseous effluents are passed through porous
solid adsorbents kept in suitable containers. The organic and inorganic constituents of the
effluent gases are trapped at the interface of the solid adsorbent by physical adsorption.
 Collecting particulate emissions using air pollution control devices before they reach the
atmosphere.
The APCDs collect particulate emissions work on the principle of (i) gravity separation, (ii)
cyclonic separation, (iii) filtration, (iv) electrostatic precipitation, and (v) wet scrubbing. The
most commonly used APCDs are the (i) dust catchers (ii) cyclones or multi cyclones, (iii) fabric
filters also known as bag houses, (iv) electrostatic precipitators (wet and dry types), and (v)
scrubbers. The first four control devices control the amount of particulate matter escaping into
the environment while scrubbers control the acidic gas emissions into the atmosphere.
Dust catchers
The principle of a dust catcher is shown in Fig 1. The internal construction of the dust catcher is
such that there is a sudden change in the direction of the flow of exhaust gas. This causes the
large dust particles to separate because of its higher momentum. The separated particles then
settle down because of gravitational force.

Fig 1 Principle of a dust catcher

Cyclones
Cyclones are also known as centrifugal collectors. They uses cyclonic separation method for the
removal of the particulate matter from the exhaust gases. They remove particulate matters by
causing the dirty exhaust gas stream to flow in a spiral path inside a cylindrical chamber (Fig 2).
Dirty exhaust gas enters the chamber from a tangential direction at the outer wall of the device
forming a vortex as it swirls within the chamber. The centrifugal force created by the circular
III Year / Semester VI SCH1310 - ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION AND CONTROL UNIT-II

flow throws the dust particles toward the wall of the cyclone. After striking the wall, these
particles fall into a hopper located underneath.
The larger particulates because of their greater inertia move outward and are forced against the
chamber wall. Slowed by friction with the wall surface, they then slide down the wall into a
conical dust hopper at the bottom of the cyclone. The cleaned exhaust gas swirls upward in a
narrower spiral through an inner cylinder and emerges from an outlet at the top and accumulated
particulate dust is periodically removed from the hopper situated in the bottom for disposal.

Fig 2 Spiral path of exhaust gas in a cyclone

The most common types of cyclones in use are (i) single cyclone separators, and (ii)) multi
cyclone separators. The single cyclone separators create a dual vortex to separate coarse particles
from fine dust. The main vortex spirals downward and carries most of the coarser dust particles.
The inner vortex created near the bottom of the cyclone, spirals upward and carries finer dust
particles. The multiple-cyclone separators consist of a number of small diameter cyclones,
operating in parallel and having a common gas inlet and outlet. They operate on the same
principle as cyclones by creating a main downward vortex and an ascending inner vortex. They
are more efficient than single cyclones because they are longer and smaller in diameter. The
longer length provides longer residence time while the smaller diameter creates greater
centrifugal force. These two factors result in better separation of dust particulates. The pressure
drop of multi cyclone separators is higher than that of single cyclone separators.
Cyclones are best at removing relatively coarse particulates. They can routinely achieve
efficiencies of 90 % for particles larger than about 20 micro meters. However, cyclones are not
sufficient to meet stringent air quality standards. They are typically used as pre-cleaning devices
and are normally used along with other more efficient cleaning equipment such as fabric filters
and electrostatic precipitators.
Fabric filters (Bag houses)
Fabric filter are also known as ‘bag houses’. They use filtration to separate dust particulates from
dusty gases. They are one of the most efficient and cost effective types of dust collectors
available. Dust-laden gases enter the fabric filter and pass through fabric bags which act as
filters. The bags can be of woven or felted cotton, synthetic, or glass-fiber material in either a
tube or envelope shape.
III Year / Semester VI SCH1310 - ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION AND CONTROL UNIT-II

The high efficiency of these filters is due to the dust cake formed on the surfaces of the bags. The
fabric filters primarily provides a surface on which dust particulates collect through the
following four mechanisms.
 Inertial collection – Dust particles strike the fabrics placed perpendicular to the gas flow
direction instead of changing direction with the gas stream.
 Interception – Particles which do not cross the fluid streamlines come in contact with
fabrics because of the fiber size.
 Brownian movement – Sub micro metre particles are diffused, increasing the probability
of contact between the particles and collecting surfaces.
 Electrostatic forces – The presence of an electrostatic charge on the particles and the filter
can increase dust capture.
A combination of these mechanisms results in formation of the dust cake on the filter which
eventually increases the resistance to gas flow. The filter is required to be cleaned periodically.
A typical fabric filter (Fig 3 shows the cross section) consists of an arrangement of long, narrow
bags (each with a diameter of around 250 mm). These bags are suspended upside down in a large
enclosure. Dust-laden exhaust gas is blown upward through the bottom of the enclosure by fans.
Particulates are trapped inside the filter bags while the clean exhaust gas passes through the
fabric filter and exits at the top of the bag house.
A fabric filter dust collector can remove practically 100 % of particles as small as 1 micro meter
and a significant fraction of particles as small as 0.01 micro meters. Fabric filters however, offer
relatively high resistance to gas flow and they are expensive to operate and maintain. Also, to
prolong the useful life of the filter fabric the exhaust gases to be cleaned need to be cooled
(usually below 300 deg C) before they are passed through the bag house. The cooling coils
needed for this purpose add to the capital cost. Further, certain filter fabrics (e.g. those made of
ceramic or mineral materials) can operate at higher temperatures.
Fig 3 Cross section of s fabric filter
Several compartments of filter bags are often used in a single bag house installation. This
arrangement allows individual compartments to be cleaned while others remain in service. The
filter bags are cleaned by mechanical shakers or by reversing the flow of exhaust gas and the
loosened particulates are collected and removed for disposal.
Based on the cleaning method, there are three common types of fabric filters. These are (i)
mechanical shaker, (ii) reverse air, and (iii) reverse jet.
In mechanical-shaker type of fabric filters, tubular filter bags are fastened onto a cell plate at the
bottom of the filter and suspended from horizontal beams at the top. Dirty gas enters the bottom
of the filter and passes through the filter, and the dust collects on the inside surface of the bags.
Cleaning is accomplished by shaking the top horizontal bar from which the bags are suspended.
Vibration produced by a motor-driven shaft and cam creates waves in the bags to shake off the
dust cake. These filters can operate intermittently or continuously. Intermittent units can be used
when processes operate on a batch basis. When a batch is completed, the filter can be cleaned.
Continuous processes use compartmentalized filters. When one compartment is being cleaned,
the exhaust gas flow can be diverted to other compartments. In these filters, there must be no
positive pressure inside the bags during the shake cycle. Pressures (as low as 0.5 mm water
gauge) can interfere with the cleaning process of the bags. The air to cloth ratio for these filters is
relatively low. Hence, the space requirements are quite high.
In reverse air fabric filters, the bags are fastened onto a cell plate at the bottom of the filter and
suspended from an adjustable hanger frame at the top. Dirty gas normally enters the filter and
passes through the bag from the inside, and the dust collects on the inside of the bags. These
filters are compartmentalized to allow continuous operation. Before a cleaning cycle begins,
filtration is stopped in the compartment to be cleaned. Bags are cleaned by injecting clean air
into the dust collector in a reverse direction, which pressurizes the compartment. The pressure
makes the bags collapse partially, causing the dust cake to crack and fall into the hopper below.
At the end of the cleaning cycle, reverse airflow is discontinued and the compartment is returned
III Year / Semester VI SCH1310 - ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION AND CONTROL UNIT-II

to the main stream. The flow of the dirty gas helps maintain the shape of the bag. However, to
prevent total collapse and fabric chafing during the cleaning cycle, rigid rings are sewn into the
bags at intervals. Space requirements for a reverse air fabric filter are comparable to those of a
mechanical shaker filter. The maintenance needs are somewhat greater.
In reverse pulse jet fabric filter, individual bags are supported by a metal cage, which is fastened
onto a cell plate at the top of the filter. Dirty gas enters from the bottom of the filter and flows
from outside to inside the bags. The metal cage prevents collapse of the bag. Bags are cleaned by
a short burst of compressed air injected through a common manifold over a row of bags. The
compressed air is accelerated by a venturi nozzle mounted at the reverse jet filter top of the bag.
Since the duration of the compressed-air burst is short (0.1second), it acts as a rapidly moving air
bubble, traveling through the entire length of the bag and causing the bag surfaces to flex. This
flexing of the bags breaks the dust cake, and the dislodged dust falls into a storage hopper below.
Reverse pulse jet fabric filters can be operated continuously and cleaned without interruption of
flow because the burst of compressed air is very small compared with the total volume of dusty
air through the collector. Because of this continuous cleaning feature, these filters are normally
not compartmentalized. The short cleaning cycle of these filters reduces recirculation and
redeposit of the dust. These filters provide more complete cleaning and reconditioning of bags
than shaker or reverse air cleaning methods. Also, the continuous-cleaning feature allows them
to operate at higher air-to-cloth ratios, so the space requirements are lower. This cleaning system
works with the help of digital sequential timer attached to the fabric filter. This timer indicates
the solenoid valve to inject the air to the blow pipe.
Fabric filters generally have the parts namely (i) clean plenum, (ii) dusty plenum, (iii) bag, cage,
venturi assembly, (iv) tube plate, (v) Rotary airlock valve/Screw, (vi) compressed air header,
(vii) blow pipe, and (viii) housing, and (ix) hopper.
Electrostatic precipitators
An electrostatic precipitator (ESP) is a particulate collection device which removes particles
from a flowing gas (such as exhaust gas) using the force of an induced electrostatic charge. ESPs
are highly efficient filtration devices which minimally impede the flow of gases through the
device, and can easily remove fine particulate matter from the exhaust gas stream. ESP applies
energy only to the particulate matter being collected and therefore is very efficient in its
consumption of energy (in the form of electricity).
The ESP consists of (i) baffles for the distribution of the flow of exhaust gas, (ii) discharge and
collection electrodes, (iii) a dust clean-out system, and (iv) collection hoppers. A high DC
voltage is applied to the discharge electrodes to charge the particles, which then are attracted to
oppositely charged collection electrodes on which they get trapped.
The most basic precipitator contains a row of thin vertical wires, and followed by a stack of large
flat metal plates oriented vertically, with the plates typically spaced around 10 mm to 180 mm
apart, depending on the application. The exhaust gas stream flows horizontally through the
spaces between the wires, and then passes through the stack of plates. A negative voltage of
several thousand volts is applied between wire and plate. If the applied voltage is high enough an
electric (corona) discharge ionizes the gas around the electrodes. Negative ions flow to the plates
and charge the gas-flow particles. The ionized particles, following the negative electric field
created by the power supply, move to the grounded plates. Particles build up on the collection
plates and form a layer. The layer does not collapse because of the electrostatic pressure (given
from layer resistivity, electric field, and current flowing in the collected layer). The performance
of ESP is very sensitive due to two particulate properties namely (i) resistivity and (ii) particle
size distribution. The cross section of an ESP is shown in Fig 4.
Fig 4 Cross section of an electrostatic precipitator
In a typical ESP, the collection electrodes comprise a group of large rectangular metal plates
suspended vertically and parallel to each other inside a boxlike structure. There are usually
hundreds of plates having a combined surface area of around 10,000 sq m. Rows of discharge
electrode wires hang between the collection plates. The wires are given a negative electric charge
whereas the plates are grounded and thus become positively charged.
Particles which stick to the collection plates are removed periodically when the plates are
shaken, or ‘rapped’. Rapping is a mechanical technique for separating the trapped particles from
the plates which typically become covered with a 6 mm layer of dust. Rappers are either of the
impulse (single-blow) or vibrating type.
The dislodged particles are collected in a hopper at the bottom of the ESP and removed for
disposal. An ESP can remove particulates as small as 1 micro meter with an efficiency exceeding
99 %. The ESPs are very effective in removing fly ash from the combustion gases of coal fired
furnaces.
A wet electrostatic precipitator (wet ESP) operates with saturated exhaust gas streams (100 %
relative humidity). Wet ESPs are generally used to remove liquid droplets such as sulphuric acid
mist from the process gas streams. The wet ESP is also used normally where the gases are (i)
high in moisture content, (ii) contain combustible particulate, and (iii) have particles which are
sticky in nature. The preferred and most modern type of wet ESP is a down flow tubular design.
This design allows the collected moisture and particulate to form slurry that helps to keep the
collection surfaces clean. Plate style and up flow design wet ESPs are very unreliable and are not
to be used in applications where particulate is sticky in nature.
Scrubbers
The exhaust gases of combustion may contain substances considered harmful to the
environment, and the scrubber can remove or neutralize these substances. Scrubber systems are a
diverse group of APCDs which can be used to remove some particulates and/or gases from
exhaust gas streams. Traditionally, the term ‘scrubber’ is being referred to pollution control
devices which use liquid to wash unwanted pollutants from a gas stream. Recently, the term is
also used to describe systems which inject a dry reagent or slurry into a dirty exhaust stream to
‘wash out’ acid pollutants. Scrubbers are one of the primary devices which control gaseous
emissions, especially acid gases. Scrubbers can be either wet scrubber or dry scrubber.
The term wet scrubber describes a variety of devices which remove pollutants from the exhaust
gas streams. In a wet scrubber, the contaminated gas stream is brought into contact with the
scrubbing liquid usually (i) by spraying it with the liquid, (ii) by forcing it through a pool of
liquid, or (iii) by some other contact method, so as to remove the pollutants. The design of wet
III Year / Semester VI SCH1310 - ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION AND CONTROL UNIT-II

scrubbers depends on the process conditions and the nature of the pollutants involved. Inlet gas
characteristics and dust properties (if particles are present) are of primary importance. Scrubbers
can be designed to collect particulate matter and/or gaseous pollutants. Wet scrubbers remove
dust particles by capturing them in liquid droplets. Wet scrubbers remove pollutant gases by
dissolving or absorbing them into the liquid. Any droplets which are in the scrubber inlet gas
must be separated from the outlet gas stream by means of another device referred to as a mist
eliminator or entrainment separator (these terms are interchangeable). Also, the resultant
scrubbing liquid must be treated prior to any ultimate discharge or being reused. There are
numerous configurations of scrubbers and scrubbing systems, all designed to provide good
contact between the liquid and polluted gas stream. Fig 5 shows a packed bed wet scrubber.

Fig 5 Packed-bed wet scrubber

The wet scrubber is used to clean air, exhaust gas or other gases of various pollutants and dust
particles. Wet scrubber works via the contact of the particulate matter with the scrubbing
solution. Solutions can simply be water (for dust) or solutions of reagents that specifically target
certain compounds. Removal efficiency of pollutants is improved by increasing residence time in
the scrubber or by the increase of surface area of the scrubber solution by the use of a spray
nozzle, packed towers or an aspirator. Wet scrubbers may increase the proportion of water in the
gas, resulting in a visible stack plume, if the gas is sent to a stack.
A dry or semi-dry scrubbing system, unlike the wet scrubber, does not saturate the exhaust gas
stream which is being treated with moisture. In some cases no moisture is added, while in some
other case only that amount of moisture is added which can be evaporated in the exhaust gas
without its condensation. Hence, dry scrubbers normally do not have a stack steam plume or
wastewater handling/disposal requirements. Dry scrubbing systems are used to remove acidic
vapours (such as SO2 and HCl) which primarily come from combustion sources.
There are a number of dry types scrubbing system designs. However, all consist of two main
sections or devices namely (i) a device to introduce the acid gas sorbent material into the gas
III Year / Semester VI SCH1310 - ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION AND CONTROL UNIT-II

stream, and (ii) a particulate matter control device to remove reaction products, excess sorbent
material as well as any particulate matter already in the exhaust gas. Dry scrubbing systems can
be categorized as dry sorbent injectors or as spray dryer absorbers. Spray dryer absorbers are also
called semi-dry scrubbers or spray dryers.
Dry scrubbing systems are often used for the removal of odorous and corrosive gases from
wastewater treatment plant operations. The media used is typically an activated alumina
compound impregnated with materials to handle specific gases such as hydrogen sulphide.
Media used can be mixed together to offer a wide range of removal for other odorous compounds
such as methyl mercaptans, aldehydes, volatile organic compounds, dimethyl sulphide, and
dimethyl disulphide.
Dry sorbent injection involves the addition of an alkaline material (usually hydrated lime or soda
ash) into the gas stream to react with the acid gases. The sorbent can be injected directly into
several different locations such as the combustion process, the exhaust gas duct (ahead of the
particulate control device), or an open reaction chamber (if one exists). The acid gases react with
the alkaline sorbets to form solid salts which are removed in the particulate control device. These
simple systems can achieve only limited acid gas (SO2 and HCl) removal efficiencies. Higher
collection efficiencies can be achieved by increasing the exhaust gas humidity (i.e., cooling using
water spray). In spray dryer absorbers, the flue gases are introduced into an absorbing tower
(dryer) where the gases are contacted with finely atomized alkaline slurry. Acid gases are
absorbed by the slurry mixture and react to form solid salts which are removed by the particulate
control device. The heat of the exhaust gas is used to evaporate all the water droplets, leaving a
non-saturated exhaust gas to exit the absorber tower. Spray dryers are capable of achieving high
(more than 80 %) acid gas removal efficiencies.