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PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT OF VENTURI WET SCRUBBER

Article · April 2015

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PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT OF VENTURI

WET SCRUBBER

Kousalya devi S1
P.G Scholar, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering
Sri Eshwar College of Engineering, Coimbatore, India
[email protected]

Mr.Venkatesh S2
Assistant Professor, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering
Sri Eshwar College of Engineering, Coimbatore, India
[email protected]

Mr.Chandrasekaran3
Asst General Manager
Maxwell Auto components Coimbatore,India

Keywords: Venturi scrubbers ; Pressure drop

;DOE Taguchi’s L16orthogonal array;
ABSTRACT
Environmental protection measures
regarding industrial emissions and tightened
regulations for air pollution led to the selection
of wet scrubber to foundry units. Venturi Hypermesh; CFD.
scrubbers are compact and comparatively
1. INTRODUCTION
inexpensive to construct, but can be expensive
to operate because they require high gas phase 1.0 Environmental pollution
pressure drop to achieve high collection
efficiency for small particles. Pressure drop is Increased public awareness posed by
due to energy consumed as friction from gas global warming has led to greater concern over
flow, a loss that would occur even if no water the impact of anthropogenic emissions from
were injected, and as energy to accelerate the industrial production. The concentration of
droplets. Experiments were designed using pollutants emitted from industrial production
Taguchi’s L16 orthogonal array to determine are generally toxic and hazardous, which can
the best possible combination of geometrical be a serious health risk to humans not limited
parameters of convergent, throat and divergent to respiratory ailments (asthma, bronchitis,
sections of venturi scrubber. It is found that a tuberculosis, etc) but also to the photosynthesis
combination of larger diameters and minimum in plants. Tall stacks have traditionally been
length contributed to minimum pressure drop. used to reduce ground level concentrations of
However, the limiting velocity to improve the air pollutants at minimum cost. Their
performance of venturi scrubber is to be effectiveness depends on height, velocity and
identified using a CFD simulation. temperature of the stack gases, and
atmospheric conditions such as wind speed and

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direction, atmospheric stability, local fields. The velocity flow contours and vectors
topography and air quality as such serious at the inlet, across the scrubbing chamber and
environmental effects such as acid deposition the outlet (especially at 0.32m/s) shows a
and forest decline can occur in a sensitive distributed flow and the velocity profiles have
receiving environments or remote locations. fully conformed to the recommended profile
Concern on the environmental and health for turbulent flows in cylindrical pipes. The
effects of fine particles has lead to tightening total pressure within the scrubber cross-section
of pollution control regulations word wide. is constant which follows the Bernoulli’s
Many applications that have provided adequate principle. The minimum pressure drop, ΔPmin
level of particle mass removal are now facing for the scrubber system was obtained to be
problems with fine and submicron particles. 0.30pa and the maximum, ΔPmax was 3.03pa
which has conformed to the recommended
2 LITERATURE REVIEW pressure drop for wet scrubbers. From the par -
ametric analysis conducted, it can be concluded
 Bashir Ahmed Danzomo et.al [1] that the numerical simulation using Ansys
“Performance Evaluation of Wet Scrubber Fluent CFD is an effective method of studying
System for Industrial Air Pollution Control” - the flow characteristics of a counter flow wet
In this study, an analytical method for design scrubber system.
and prediction of spray tower scrubber  Juntima chungsiriporn,
performance based on cement dust particle et.al[5]“Toluene removal by oxidation reaction
removal efficiency has been described. The in spray wet scrubber: experimental, modeling
approach focused on the design of a scrubber and optimization ”, Wet scrubber coupling
system for the collection of dust particle sizes with oxidation reaction using NaOCl as
of 1μm, 5μm and 10μm (PM) that are emitted oxidizing agent performed effectively in
from cement production processes and removing toluene from waste air. The steps of
predicting the performance of the system using design of experiment, surface plotting, model
Calvert et al. model for overall collection formation, and optimization problem formation
efficiency of counter current spray tower by and solving were used to study toluene removal
considering droplet sizes of 500μm, 1000μm, in the wet scrubber. A mathematical model of
1500μm and 2000μm. The range of liquid to the toluene removal was constructed based on
gas ratio of 0.7-2.7l/m3 recommended by the the experimental results. Five operating
US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) parameters including toluene concentration, air
were used to investigate the appropriate ratio flow rate, oxidant flow rate, NaOCl
that will give the optimum result for the concentration, and size of spray nozzle were
performance of the system. The result obtained considered as the significant parameters in the
was validated using the World Health model. Optimization problem was formed with
Organization’s air quality standards for an objective function of maximum removal
particulate matter (PM). efficiency and constraints of mathematical
 Bashir Ahmed Danzomo1, et.al[2] model and process limitation.
“CFD based parametric analysis of gas flow in  W. Peukert & C. Wadenpohl ,
a counter-flow wet scrubber system” ANSYS “Industrial separation of fine particles with
Fluent software was used to investigate the gas difficult dust properties”, There is a variety of
distribution within a counter-flow wet scrubber solutions to separate solid and liquid particles
system based on airflow velocity and pressure with difficult dust properties. By looking at the

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physical fundamentals of particle separation, A venturi scrubber consists of three sections: a

new and innovative solutions can be found. converging section, a throat section, and a
Careful examination of the dust properties in diverging section. The inlet gas stream enters
the process is a precondition for the design of a the converging section and, as the area
gas cleaning process. The principal ways to decreases, gas velocity increases (in
reach this goal are: v enhance efficiency of accordance with the Bernoulli equation).
transport mechanisms by introducing Liquid is introduced either at the throat or at
additional forces on the particles e.g. electro- the entrance to the converging section.
cyclone., v change the particle properties so Venturis can be used to collect both particulate
that they can be collected easier e.g. and gaseous pollutants, but they are more
heterogeneous condensation in scrubbers., v effective in removing particles than gaseous
avoid clogging of filter media by means of pollutants.
precoating e.g. tar collection., v investigate These types of scrubbers vary in complexity
systematically the mechanism of separation; from simple spray chambers used to remove
there may be still surprising results to be coarse particles to high-efficiency systems
discovered e.g. ESP., v in case of sintering, (Venturi types) that remove fine particles.
changes in the process technology may be Whichever system is used, operation employs
unavoidable. the same basic principles of inertial
impingement or impaction, and interception of
dust particles by droplets of water. The larger,
3 Venturi wet scrubbers heavier water droplets are easily separated
from the gas by gravity. The solid particles can
A venturi scrubber is designed to
then be independently separated from the
effectively use the energy from the inlet gas
water, or the water can be otherwise treated
stream to atomize the liquid being used to
before reuse or discharge.
scrub the gas stream. This type of technology is
a part of the group of air pollution controls
3.0 Design of experiments
collectively referred to as wet scrubbers.

In an engineering environment,
experiments are often conducted to explore,
estimate or confirm. Confirmation implies
verifying the predicted results obtained from
the experiment. In a designed experiment, the
engineer often makes deliberate changes in the
input variables and then determines how the
output functional performance varies
accordingly. It is important to note that all
variables affect the performance in the same
manner.

DoE is used to optimize the different parameter

Fig.1. venturi wet scrubber values which act as the control factors in an
experiment. To conduct DoE taguchi approach
have been used in this project. Taking various

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geometrical parameters in venturi scrubber the Parameters

Convergent Divergent Throat
section section section
experiment have been calculated for minimum
pressure drop. Smaller
diameter 369 369 369
d1(mm)
DoE was performed using L16 orthogonal
array. Larger
diameter 482 725 725
d2(mm)
3.1 Design of experiments using taguchi
technique Length
480 520 600
L(mm)

Taguchi’s approach complements these ϴ/2 2.388535032 2.388535 -

two areas. First, he clearly defines a set of Beta β 0.952380952 0.952381 -
orthogonal array, each of which can be used for
many experimental situations. Second, he sin ϴ/2 0.683872798 0.683873 -
devised a standard method for analysis of the k geometric
result. There are three stages in Taguchi co efficient 0.06182552 0.200933 -
k-convergent
methodology,
A1(m2) 0.755360978 0.755361 0.755361
 System design
A2 (m2) 0.834327268 0.834327 -
 Parameter design
 Tolerance design Average area
0.794844123 0.794844 -
m2

volumetric
Flow rate Q 12.36 12.36 12.36
3.2 Orthogonal Arrays m3/s

Velocity v
An orthogonal array is a fractional factorial m/s
15.55021878 15.55022 16.36304
matrix, which assures a balanced comparison
of levels of a factor (or interaction of factors). density ƿ,
kg/m3 @ 700 0.363 0.363 0.363
Orthogonal array allow researchers to study deg. C
many design parameters simultaneously and
Friction
can be used to estimate the effect of each factor factor
- - 0.011
independently of the other factors. Thus the
information about the design parameters can be Calculations
obtained with minimum time and resources. Formulas
L16 orthogonal array is chosen shown in table. Convergent section:
𝜃
0.8 (sin ) (1 − 𝛽 2 )
𝐾= 2 − − − − − − − − − − − −(1)
𝛽4

𝑑1
𝛽= − − − − − − − − − − − − − − − − − − − (2)
𝑑2

Divergent section:
𝜃
2.6 (sin ) (1 − 𝛽 2 )
𝐾= 2 − − − − − − − − − − − −(3)
3.3 Design calculations 𝛽4

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K = Geometrical co efficient Beta β 1.639455782

sin ϴ/2 -0.195833333
d1 = Smaller diameter (mm)
geometric co efficient k-
d2 = Larger diameter (mm) convergent 0.03660182
2)
A1 (m 0.17786216
2)
Using above parameters to calculate pressure A2(m 0.06511104
2
drop: Average area m 0.1214866
3
Calculation: volumetric Flow rate Q m /s 3.333
Velocity v m/s 27.43512453
Pressure drop Δp
(𝐾𝑉 2 𝜌) 3
𝛥𝑝 = density ƿ, kg/m @ 700 deg. C 0.363
2𝑔
2
pressure drop Δp kg/m 0.509711199
Using equation 1, 2, 3 pressure drop is
calculated pressure drop Δp mbar 0.049985593

L16 orthogonal pressure drop calculation: DIVERGENT SECTION

Inlet diameter D1 (mm) 294
Inlet Outlet Throat Total
Outlet diameter D2(mm) 725
diameter diameter diameter pressure
Length L(mm) 520
drop Δp Δp Δp
sin ϴ/2 0.414423077
482 725 294 43.53
482 750 319 30.84 Beta β 0.405517241
482 775 344 22.429 sin ϴ/2 0.414423077
482 800 369 16.676 geometric co efficient k-
507 725 319 30.087 divergent 33.29319117
507 750 294 44.621 2)
A1 (m 0.06511104
507 775 369 16.279 2)
507 800 344 22.985 A2 (m 0.405814385
532 725 344 21.354 2
Average area m 0.235462713
532 750 369 15.891 3
532 775 294 45.724 volumetric Flow rate Q m /s 3.333
532 800 319 32.393 Velocity v m/s 14.15510747
557 725 369 15.514 3
density ƿ, kg/m 0.363
557 750 344 21.884 2
557 775 319 31.609 pressure drop Δp kg/m 123.421093
557 800 294 46.838 pressure drop Δp mbar 12.1034746

CONVERGENT SECTION THROAT SECTION

friction co-efficient 0.011
Inlet Diameter D1(mm) 482 Diameter (mm) 294
Outlet diameter D2(mm) 294 Length L(mm) 600
Length L(mm) 480 2)
Area (m 0.065111
sin ϴ/2 -0.195833333

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3
density ƿ kg/m 0.363
Acceleration g 9.81
3
volumetric Flow rate Q m /s 3.333
velocity v m/s 51.18948
2
pressure drop Δp kg/m 319.973
pressure drop Δp mbar 31.3786
4 Main effects plot for means

Fig.3. 3D modeling of venturi wet scrubber

New Venturi wet scrubber is designed as per
pressure drop calculation done in minimum
pressure drop L16 orthogonal array using
5 Design of experiments using Minitab taguchi techniques.
7 HYPERMESH

8 CF D analysis
Fig.2. L16 orthogonal array taguchi
Computational fluid dynamics, usually
techniques in Minitab
abbreviated as CFD, is a branch of fluid
6 MODELING
mechanics that uses numerical methods
and algorithms to solve and analyze problems
that involve fluid flows. Computers are used to
perform the calculations required to simulate
the interaction of liquids and gases with
surfaces defined by boundary conditions.
For CFD analysis for the new
dimension

PRESSURE DROP ANALYSIS

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 The length of the venturi wet scrubber

is maintained the same
 L16 orthogonal array is selected as per
4 levels and 3 parameters.
 So pressure drop is minimized by
taguchi techniques.
 3D modeling of venturi wet scrubber is
convergent section, divergent section,
throat section is calculated to minimize
pressure drop.

10. CONFIRMATION EXPERIMENT

S.No Inlet Outlet Throat Pressure
dia dia dia drop(mb
(mm) (mm) (mm) ar)
DoE L16
orthogonal
array 532 750 369 15.691
In Taguchi
Techniques
Confirmati
Maximum pressure ( Pascal) = 1.55e+03
on
Minimum pressure ( Pascal) =6.52e-01 Experiment 482 725 369 15.411
Pressure drop (Pascal) = 1551.59 In CFD
Pressure drop (mbar) =15.51 analysis

9. FINDINGS
11. RESULTS
From the literature survey, the
following conclusions can be made about the Experiments are designed using Taguchi’s L16
minimum pressure drop to improve orthogonal array considering three factors and
performance of venturi wet scrubber. three levels. The pressure drop at various
different combinations was calculated. It was
 Modifying geometrical dimensions can found that the pressure drop value is less at
enhance the performance of the venturi maximum diameters and minimum length.
wet scrubber. However, the limiting velocity for the optimum
performance of the scrubber is to be identified,
 Using Design of experiments to
to improve the performance of venturi
minimize the pressure drop.
scrubber. The graphs below show the pattern of
 While modifying geometrical contribution by various levels of parameters to
parameters like inlet diameter, outlet the pressure drop.
diameter, throat diameter minimum
12. CONCLUSION
pressure drop can be calculated

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Pressure drop was calculated across various [4] W. Peukert & C. Wadenpohl , “Industrial
sections of the venturi wet scrubber. It was separation of fine particles with difficult dust
found that pressure drop is less with the properties”, Powder Technology, ELSEVIER,
combination of maximum diameter and May 2001.
minimum length.

However, the limiting velocity for optimum

performance of the unit is to be calculated,
which is considered as future scope of this
project.

By limiting the pressure drop energy

consumption can be reduced, but the
performance is dependent on the limiting
velocity so determining the same is also vital.
It is proposed to conduct a CFD simulation to
predict the limiting velocity.

Comparing the results, design of experiments

with CFD analysis to improve performance of
venturi scrubber for minimum pressure drop.

13. REFERENCES
[1]Bashir Ahmed Danzomo, Momoh-jimoh E.
Salami, Sani jibrin, MD. R. Khan, and
Iskandar M.Nor, “Performance Evaluation of
Wet Scrubber system for industrial air
pollution control” , ARPN Journal of
Engineering and Applied Sciences, vol. 7,
December 2012.

[2] Bashir Ahmed Danzomo, Momoh-Jimoh

Enyiomika Salami, Raisuddin Mohd
Khan,Mohd Iskhandar Bin Mohd Nor, “CFD
based parametric analysis of gas flow in
acounter-flow wet scrubber system”,
International Journal of Environmental
Protection and Policy,vol.1, July 10, 2013.

[3] Juntima chungsiriporn, charun bunyakan &

roumporn nikom, “Toluene removal by
oxidation reaction in spray wet scrubber:
experimental, modeling and optimization ”,
songklanakarin J. Sci. Technol ., vol. 28,no
6,nov-dec 2006

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