A wet scrubber, or wet scrubber system, is a type of pollution control equipment that is designed to remove harmful gases and particulates from industrial exhaust streams. It works by funneling the exhaust stream through the bottom of a packed tower and then it passes through an engineered packing, where a solution from specialized nozzles is sprayed countercurrent to the exhaust stream flow. This solution can often be water, especially when the stream is primarily dust or dust like particles. When the waste gas has lower solubility, chemicals are usually added to the solution. These chemicals are carefully chosen to react with the compounds released in the exhaust stream, which are generally acidic gases. After the exhaust stream is treated, the gases are released, clear of the dangerous gases, VOCs, and / or particles. The clean air is then released into the atmosphere; although it is clear of VOCs and dangerous compounds, the gas released from the scrubber often looks like steam. This is because it is heavy with H2O vapors, which may be visible in the air at the time of release.

Packed, dry and wet scrubbers are used to treat or clean the following lists of chemicals from a process exhaust air stream, with ammonia being the most popular:

• Ammonia

• Chlorine

• Hydrochloric Acid

• Chlorinated Silanes

• Sulfur Dioxide

• Hydrogen Sulfide

• Boron Trifluoride

• Amines

Why Choose a Wet Scrubber?

• Can handle high temperature streams

• Versatile

• Can handle very moist streams

• Smaller space requirements

• Can be retrofitted into current equipment (in some cases)

• Provides cooling of heated gases

• Higher sulfur dioxide removal capabilities than other equipment options

• Lower cost of purchase

• Can remove gases and particulates in a single unit

• Able to neutralize highly corrosive gases and dusts

• No temperature limits with the use of heat reduction options

• Can handle highly flammable dusts, with very little risk of explosion, when properly designed and operated

• Several customizable options, based on specific output and applications, often allowing for a reduction in cost

• Eliminates as much or more than 99% of dangerous gases, which meets all EPA requirements for MACT, RACT, BACT, and LAER

Possible Disadvantages:

• Higher risk of corrosive issues

• Must have protection again freezing temperatures

• Disposal of waste can incur higher costs

• The chemicals collected may be too contaminated to be recycled in any way

Features & Options:

• Competitive packages including instrumentation and controls, skid mounting of equipment, H2O storage tanks, metering pumps, and installation

• Vertical and horizontal configurations

• Efficiencies up to 99.99%

• Capacities of 50 to 75,000+ SCFM

• Cross-flow and counter-flow options

• Custom designed systems

• Options to be retrofitted with current equipment

• Faster commissioning time

• Continuous monitoring with Gulfstar

• In-house designed and manufactured control panels

• Sized system process fans

• Portable options and sizes available