Air Pollution Control

Particulate Control Equipment:

1. Forced field settlers: These are that equipment’s that relies on field of forces
like gravitational, centrifugal and electric.
a) Gravitational settling chamber
b) Cyclones or centrifugal settlers
c) Electrostatic Precipitators

2. Bag House Filters

3. Scrubbers/ Wet scrubbers

a) Gravitational Settling Chambers

Gravitational settling chambers are generally used to remove large, abrasive particles
(usually >50 μm) from gas stream. It provides enlarged areas to minimize horizontal
velocities and allow time for the vertical velocity to carry the particle to the floor. The usual
velocity through settling chambers is between 0.5 to 2.5 m/s.

Design of a gravitational settling chamber

If we assume that Stokes law applies, we can derive a formula for calculating the minimum
diameter of a particle collected at 100% theoretical efficiency in a chamber of length L,
height of settling chamber H.

Where vt=terminal settling velocity, m/s

Where, g=gravitational constant, m/s2; ρp=density of particle, kg/m 3; ρa=density air, kg/m3;
dp=diameter of particle, m; μa=viscosity of air, kg/m s; H=height of settling chamber, m;
vh=horizontal flow-through velocity, m/s; and L=length of settling chamber, m.
Solving for dp gives an equation that predicts the largest-size particle that can be
removed with 100% efficiency from a settling chamber of given dimension.

All particles larger than dp will also be removed with 100% efficiency, while the efficiency for
smaller particles is the ratio of their settling velocities to the settling velocity of the dp particle.
Efficiency ƞ vtL/Hvh 100

Example: Calculate the minimum size of the particle that will be removed with 100 percent
efficiency from gravitational settling chamber under following conditions.

Air:
Horizontal velocity is 0.3 m/s
Temperature is 77oC
Particle: Specific gravity is 2.0
Chamber: Length is 7.5 m
Height is 1.5 m
At 77oC viscosity of air is 2.1x10-5 kg/m.s

Using this equation with correction factor of 2

ρa is insignificant as compared to ρp
1/2
dp = [ 2x (18 µ .vh. H/g.L.ρp) ]

dp = 4.81 x10-5 m 48.1µ

 b) Cyclones or centrifugal settlers
A cyclone separator consists of a cylindrical shell, conical base, dust hopper and an inlet
where the dust-laden gas enters tangentially. Under the influence of the centrifugal force
generated by the spinning gas, the solid particles are thrown to the wall of the cyclone as
the gas spirals upward at the inside of the cone. The particles slide down the walls of the
cone and into the hopper. The operating efficiency of a cyclone depends on the magnitude
of the centrifugal force exerted on the particles. The greater the centrifugal force, the
greater the spreading efficiency. The magnitude of the centrifugal force generated depends
on particle mass, gas velocity within the cyclone, and cyclone diameter.

Where, Fc=centrifugal force ; Mp=particulate mass, Kg; equals particle velocity and R
equals radius of the cyclone, m/s. From this equation, it can be seen that the centrifugal
force on the particles, and thus the collection efficiency of the cyclone collector can be
increased by decreasing R. Large-diameter cyclone have good collection efficiencies for
particles 40 to 50 μm in diameter.

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 The size of the particles is determined by the following equation based on the work
by Lapple (Lapple equation)
d50= (9µb / 2 Π Ne Vi ρp )1/2
d50 = Diameter of the particle that is collected with 50 percent efficiency,
m µ =gas viscosity, kg/m.s
b = width of cyclone inlet, m
Ne = number effective turns within the cyclone
Vi = inlet gas velocity, m/s
ρp = density of particulate material, kg/m3

Advantage: Relatively inexpensive, simple to design and maintain; requires less floor
area; low to moderate pressure loss.
Disadvantage: Requires much head room; collection efficiency is low for smaller
particles, quite sensitive to variable dust loading and flow rates.
 c) Electrostatic Precipitators (ESPs)

ESP uses an electric field on electrically charged particles to separate liquid or solid
aerosols from gas stream. The aerosol is deliberately charged and passed through an electric
field causing the particles to migrate towards an appositively charged electrode which act as
a collection surface gravity or periodic vibration is used to remove the particle from the
precipitator.

ESPs are characterized high efficiency even for small particles. They can handle large volume
of gas can be designed for wide temperature range. But ESP require large space their capital
cost is high and they are not flexible after installations to the changes in operating conditions.

The electrostatic precipitator is one of the most widely used device for controlling particulate
emission at industrial installations ranging from power plants, cement and paper mills to oil
refineries. Electrostatic precipitator is a physical process by which particles suspended in
gas stream are charged electrically and, under the influence of the electrical field, separated
from the gas stream. The precipitator system consists of a positively charged collecting
surface and a high voltage discharge electrode wire suspended from an insulator at the top
and held in passion by weight the bottom. At a very high DC voltage, of the order of 50kV,
a corona discharge occurs close to the negative electrode, setting up an electric field
between the emitted and the grounded surface.
The particle laden gas enters near the bottom and flows upward. The gas close to the negative
electrode is, thus, ionized upon passing through the corona. As the negative ions and electrons
migrate toward the grounded surface, they in turn charge the passing particles. The electrostatic
field then draws the particles to the collector surface where they are deposited. Periodically, the
collected particles must be removed from the collecting surface. This is done by rapping or
vibrating the collector to dislodge the particles. The dislodged particles drop below the
electrical treatment zone and are collected for ultimate disposal.

ESP are of two types

1. Low voltage two stage 6000V-12,000V
2. High voltage Single stage 30,000- 100,000 V
Advantage:
Maintenance is nominal, useless corrosive and adhesive materials are present in
flue gases.
They contain few moving parts.
They can be operated at high temperature up to 300oC-450o C.

Higher initial cost.

Sensitive to variable dust loading and flow rates.
They use high voltage, and hence may pose risk to personal safety of the
staff. Collection efficiency reduces with time

Fabric Filters/Bag House Filters

In a fabric filter system, the particulate-laden gas stream passes through a woven or felted
fabric that filters out the particulate matter and allows the gas to pass through. Small
particles are initially retained on the fabric by direct interception, inertial impaction,
diffusion, electrostatic attraction, and gravitational settling. After a dust mat has formed on
the fabric, more efficient collection of submicron particle is accomplished by sieving.
Filter bags usually tubular or envelope-shaped, are capable of removing most particles as
small as 0.5μm and will remove substantial quantity of particles as small as 0.1_ μm. Filter
bags ranging from 1.8 to 9 m long, can be utilized in a bag house filter arrangement.
As particulates build up on the inside surface of the bags, the pressure drops increases.
Before the pressure drop becomes too severe, the bag must be relieved of some of the
particulate layer. Fabric filter can be cleaned intermittently, periodically, or continuously.

Fig: Bag House Filter

Fabric and Fibre Characteristics: Fabric filter may be classified according to filtering
media: woven fabric or felt cloth. Woven fabrics have a definite long-range repeating
pattern and have considerable porosity in the direction of gas flow. These open spaces must
be bridged by impaction of interception to form a true filtering surface. Felted cloth consists
of randomly oriented fibres, compressed into a mat and needled to some loosely woven
backing material to improve mechanical strength. The choice of fabric fibre is based
primarily on operating temperature and the corrosiveness or abrasiveness of the particle.
Cotton is the least expensive fibre, and is preferably used in low temperature dust collection
service. Silicon coated glass fibre cloth is commonly employed in high temperature
applications. The glass fibre must be lubricated to prevent abrasion. All fibre may be
applied to the manufacture of woven and felt type fabrics.

Fabric Filter System: Fabric filter systems typically consist of a tubular bag or an
envelope, suspended or mounted in such manner that the collected particles fall into
hopper when dislodged from fabric. The structure in which the bags are hanged is known
as a bag-house. Generally, particle laden gas enters the bag at the bottom and passes
through the fabric while the particles are deposited on the inside of the bag. The cleaning is
accomplished by shaking at fixed intervals of time.

Advantage: Fabric filters can give high efficiency, and can even remove very small
particles in dry state.
Disadvantage: High temperature gasses need to be cooled. The flue gasses must be dry to
avoid condensation and clogging. The fabric is liable to chemical attacks.

Scrubbers/ Wet Scrubbers: Self Study

 Assignment
1. (a) Differentiate between primary and secondary air pollutants.
(b) A gravity settling collector is to be used to remove particulates having diameter of
100µm and density of 1.5 g/cm3. What is the maximum gas velocity that can be used
if the chamber is 100 m long, 2m high? The desired collection efficiency is 90%.

2. (a) Explain the working of Fabric filters with suitable diagram.

(b) What is the smallest diameter of particle having a density of 2 g/cm3 which can be
collected with efficiency of 85% in a gravity settling chamber 12 m long, 3 m high,
gas velocity 0.78 m/s.
3. (a) Explain the working of Gravitational Settling Chamber with suitable diagram
(b) It is desired to construct a settling chamber to remove particles from air stream of 120
m3/min. The specific gravity of particle is 2.5. The chamber is strapped to the ceiling
of an industrial building and the space is limited vertically to 2 m and horizontally 1.5
m. Determine the length require to remove 100% of 50 µm particle.
4. (a) Differentiate between natural and anthropogenic air pollution
(b) A cyclone of standard dimension D= 1.6m processes 4.5m3/s of air having a
temperature of 77oC. Determine d50 if the specific gravity of particle is 1.2. Assume
number of turns to be 5 and µ= 2.07x10-5 kg/ms.
5. (a) Explain the working Spray Tower Scrubber with suitable diagram.
(b) Flow rate of an air stream pass through a cyclone of standard proportion is 7.5 m3/s.
The diameter of cyclone is 2.6 m and its viscosity of air 2.07x10-5 kg/ms.
(i) Work out other dimensions of this cyclone units
(ii) Determine the size of the particles that can be removed with 50% efficiency.
(iii) Using the relative size efficiency curve determine the efficiency for removal of 10µ
particle.
(iv) Determine the collection efficiency for 10 µm particle if 70 cyclones with 24 cm
diameter are used instead of one large unit. Assume Ne= 5, ρp= 1.5 g/cm3.
6. (a) Explain different types of scrubbers
(b) Explain the working of cyclone scrubbers with suitable diagram. Also, explain the
advantages and disadvantages.
7. Explain the working of Electrostatic Precipitators (ESPs) with suitable diagram. Also, explain
the advantages and disadvantages.
8. Explain the greenhouse effect. How it is related to Global Warming?
9. Explain the formation and effects of photochemical smog
10. Explain the causes of eutrophication it’s to the water bodies.
11. Explain the following terminologies (a) BOD (b) Biomagnification (c) Physical, Chemical,
Biological processes of water purification (d) Turbidity (e) Sources of water pollution