MODULE 4

ABSORPTION
• Effluent gases are passed through absorbers
which contain liquid absorbents that remove
one or more of the pollutants in the gas
stream.
• The efficiency of the process depends on:
1. Amount of surface contact between gas and
liquid
2. contact time
3. Concentration of the absorbing medium
4. Speed of reaction between the absorbent and
the gases.
• Absorbents are being used to remove so2,
H2S, SO3, F and oxides of nitrogen.

• Absorbents may be either reactive or non –

reactive with the pollutants removed from
them.

• Some of the reactive absorbents are

regenerative while others are non
regenerative.
• Equipments using the principle of absorption
for the removal of gaseous pollutants include:
1. Packed tower
2. Plate tower
3. Bubble cap plate tower
4. Spray tower
5. Liquid jet scrubber absorber
ADSORPTION
• Effluent gases are passed through adsorbers
which contain solids of porous structure.
• Commonly used adsorbers include activated
carbon, silica gel, activated alumina, lithium
chloride, activated bauxite.
• Necessary step for effective removal of gaseous
pollutants by adsorbents are:
1.Contact of the gaseous or vaporous pollutant with
the solid adsorbent
2. Separation of the adsorbed gaseous pollutant
from the solid adsorbent by regeneration or
replacement of the adsorbent.
3. Recovery of the gases for final disposal.
• Efficiency of removal of gases by adsorbents
depends on:
1.Physical and chemical characteristics of the
adsorbent
2. Concentration and nature of gas to be
adsorbed.
• Adsorption is a surface phenomenon and
requires very large solid surface area to be
effective.
• Installation cost for adsorbers are high but
maintenance and operating costs are not
excessive.
• Adsorption gives very complete clean up even
when pollutants concentrations are very low.
 ADSORPTION ABSORPTION

PHENOMENON Surface phenomenon Bulk phenomenon

HEAT EXCHANGE Exothermic reaction Endothermic reaction

TEMPERATURE Favoured by low Not affected by

temperature temperature

RATE OF REACTION Steadily increases and Occurs at uniform rate

reaches equilibrium

CONCENTRATION Concentration on the Same throughout the

surface of adsorbent is material
different from that in bulk
VENTURI SCRUBBER
• A venturi scrubber utilizes a high-velocity gas stream to
atomize a scrubbing liquid, creating a mist that
captures pollutants, which are then separated from the
gas stream in a diverging section.

• They offer high performance collection of fine particles

usually smaller than 2 to 3 µm.
• They are particularly suitable when the particulate
matter is sticky, flammable or highly corrosive.

• The high performance of the venturi scrubber is

achieved by accelerating the gas stream to very high
velocities of the order 60 – 120 m/s.
• A venturi scrubber consists of a converging section, a throat
(the narrowest part), and a diverging section.
• The gas stream enters the converging section, accelerating as
it passes through the throat.
• Scrubbing liquid (often water) is introduced either at the
throat or before it.
• The high velocity of the gas stream in the throat causes the
liquid to atomize into fine droplets. These fine droplets collide
with and capture particulate matter and other pollutants in
the gas stream.
• As the gas stream decelerates in the diverging section, the
droplets containing the pollutants agglomerate and are
separated from the gas stream, often using a cyclonic
separator.
• The cleaned gas exits the scrubber, while the recovered
scrubbing liquid is returned to a tank for recirculation.
 ADVANTAGES
1. Can handle flammable and explosive dusts
with little risk;
2. Can handle mists;
3. Relatively low maintenance;
4. Simple in design and easy to install;
5. Collection efficiency can be varied;
6. Provides cooling for hot gases; and
7. Corrosive gases and dusts can be neutralized
 DISADVANTAGES
1. Effluent liquid can create water pollution
problems;
2. Waste product collected wet;
3. High potential for corrosion problems;
4. Protection against freezing required;
5. Off gas may require reheating to avoid visible
plume;
6. Collected PM may be contaminated, and may
not be recyclable; and
7. Disposal of waste sludge may be very expensive
BIO FILTERS
• A biofilter uses microorganisms attached to
filter media to remove pollutants from air or
water by degrading them, a process called
biofiltration. It involves a packed bed of
material (like wood chips or plastic) where a
biofilm forms, and the air or water flows
through, allowing microorganisms to degrade
pollutants.
• Biofilters are constructed with a bed of filter media,
which can be organic materials like compost, tree bark,
peat, or synthetic materials like plastic or foam.
• The filter media provides a surface for microorganisms
to attach and form a biofilm, a layer of microbial cells
and extracellular substances.
• The filter bed is designed to allow the air or water to
flow through, ensuring contact between the pollutants
and the microorganisms in the biofilm.
• Biofilters can be modular units, with a biomass tank
and a machine compartment for air humidification and
blowing.
• Pollutants in the air or water are absorbed into the
water film that surrounds the media particles.
• Microorganisms in the biofilm degrade the pollutants,
using them as a source of energy and nutrients.
• As microorganisms colonize the filter media, they form
a biofilm, which is crucial for the biofiltration process.
• The microorganisms convert the pollutants into less
harmful substances like carbon dioxide, water, and
salts.
 Advantages
• Biofilters use natural processes and microorganisms to
degrade pollutants, reducing the need for harmful
chemicals or excessive energy.
• Biofiltration systems can effectively remove inorganic,
organic, and microbial contaminants, even those
difficult to treat with conventional methods.
• Biofilters can increase the removal of natural organic
matter, reduce disinfection byproduct formation,
control tastes and odors, and produce a biologically
stable finished water.
• Biofilters can be a more cost-effective solution for
treating certain pollutants compared to other
methods.
 Disadvantages
• Biofilters are sensitive to variations in pollutant levels, pH,
humidity, and temperature, which can impact their
performance.
• Biofilters can clog if not properly maintained, potentially
reducing their efficiency. Biofilters require a period of time
for the microbial community to establish and become fully
functional, which can delay their effectiveness.
• Biofilters can require a significant amount of space,
especially for larger applications.
BIO SCRUBBER
• A bio scrubber consists of a gas scrubber and a
biological reactor
• In the gas scrubber, to- be –removed
components are absorbed from the gas
stream by the wash water.
• In the biological reactor, the pollutants that
have been absorbed by the wash water are
biologically degraded.
• The purified scrubbing liquid is circulated to
the scrubber where it is able to reabsorb
pollutants.
• The biologically degradable hydrocarbons are
converted into water and carbon dioxide in
the bioscrubber.
• The non-degradable hydrocarbons remain in
the wash water.
 ADVANTAGES
• Biodegradation of components; no VOC’s as
residual products
• High concentrations of easy to degrade
components can be processed.
• High concentrations of acidifying sulphur,
nitrogen and chlorine components can be
removed by checking pH.
• Due to the large quantity of water, peak
emissions are better dealt with than by
biofilters and biotrickling filters
 DISADVANTAGES
• Stable flue gas streams preferred (in terms of
composition and load); the yield will fall if
there are fluctuations.
• Primarily suited to soluble components
• Components must be biologically degradable
• Production of sludge, which must be disposed
of
• Discharge water requires further treatment.