Collection of aerosol particles by electrostatic droplet spray scrubbers

Journal Article · Sat Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1975 · J. Air Pollut. Control Assoc.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/00022470.1975.10470070· OSTI ID:7345118

Pilat, M J

Theoretical calculations and experimental measurements show that the collection of small aerosol particles (0.05 to 5 micron diameter range) by water droplets in spray scrubbers can be substantially increased by electrostatically charging the droplets and particles to opposite polarity. Measurements with a 140 acfm two chamber spray scrubber (7 seconds gas residence time) showed an increase in the overall particle collection efficiency from 68.8 percent at uncharged conditions to 93.6 percent at charged conditions, with a dioctyl phthalate aerosol (1.05 ..mu..m particle mass mean diameter and 2.59 geometric standard deviation). The collection efficiency for 0.3 ..mu..m particles increased from 35 to 87 percent when charged. During 1973--1974 a 1000 acfm pilot plant electrostatic scrubber was constructed inside a 40 ft trailer for evaluation on controlling particulate emissions from pulp mill operations (funded by Northwest Pulp and Paper Association). Field tests performed on the particle emissions exhausting from SO/sub 2/ absorption towers treating the gases from a magnesium based sulfite recovery boiler have shown particle collection efficiencies ranging from about 60 to 99 percent by weight, depending on the electrostatic scrubber operating conditions. Energy requirements for the University of Washington electrostatic scrubber are about 0.5 hp/1000 acfm (350 watts/1000 acfm) including gas pressure drop, water pressure drop, and electrostatic charging of the water spray droplets and the particles.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Washington, Seattle
• OSTI ID: 7345118
• Journal Information: J. Air Pollut. Control Assoc.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Air Pollut. Control Assoc.; (United States) Vol. 25:2; ISSN JPCAA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

500200* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AEROSOLS
CHALCOGENIDES
COLLOIDS
DISPERSIONS
EFFICIENCY
ELECTROSTATIC PRECIPITATORS
EQUATIONS
EQUIPMENT
MACHINING
MILLING
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PARTICLES
POLLUTION CONTROL EQUIPMENT
SCRUBBERS
SOLS
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SULFUR DIOXIDE
SULFUR OXIDES