Influence of the Spray Scrubber Geometry on the Efficiency of Dust Removal – Theoretical Predictions and CFD Analysis

The article presents a method of purification of synthesis gas (syngas) produced as a result of biomass gasification with the use of a spray scrubber. The authors focus on the presentation of how individual elements of the geometry of a spray scrubber can influence its particle removal efficiency. The paper examines cases of dry particle removal, the use of demisters in purification process and wet scrubber collection efficiency with the use of numerical fluid mechanics (CFD). General equations are also used by authors to determine the initial predictions. The key part of the article is to present the results of the velocity and pressure distribution depending on the scrubber construction, determine the effect of the number of demisters used on the particle removal efficiency and to determine the probability of coalescence depending on the size of liquid droplets. Moreover, the authors formulate a simplified formula for the collection efficiency of a scrubber which is consistent with the results obtained from CFD calculations. The numerical results of collection efficiency were compared with experimental data from literature.