Parallel Scrubber System with Shut-Off for Variable Exhaust Load
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for treating exhaust air or exhaust gas face high energy requirements due to constant operation at maximum pollutant load and volume flow, leading to inefficient energy use and increased pressure losses, especially with fluctuations in pollutant concentration and volume.
Innovation Solution
A device with a first scrubber and a second scrubber connected in parallel, where the second scrubber can be partially closed using a shut-off element, allowing exhaust gas to be directed through the most favorable scrubber based on pollutant load, optimizing energy consumption by adjusting the volume flow between the two scrubbers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a scrubber with packing material is used to achieve high volume-specific absorption capacity, then pollutant removal efficiency is improved, but pressure losses increase and energy consumption rises
Solution Approach 1:
The scrubber system is divided into two separate scrubbers connected in parallel: a first scrubber with packing material for high absorption capacity, and a second scrubber without packing for low pressure losses. The shut-off device enables selective operation of either scrubber based on pollutant load conditions, resolving the contradiction between absorption efficiency and energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts its configuration by using a shut-off device to switch between the first and second scrubbers, or operate them in parallel, depending on the actual pollutant load. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize the balance between absorption capacity and energy consumption in real-time.
2Reliability
If the scrubber operates at maximum pollutant load settings, then high pollutant concentrations are effectively treated, but energy consumption remains consistently high even when pollutant load fluctuates
Solution Approach 1:
The shut-off device enables dynamic adjustment of the system configuration based on actual pollutant load conditions. When pollutant load is low, the system can operate the second scrubber alone or in parallel with the first, reducing energy consumption while maintaining reliable pollutant removal effectiveness through appropriate scrubber selection.
3Productivity
If the shut-off device is closed to direct exhaust gas exclusively to the first scrubber, then room-specific absorption capacity is maximized, but pressure losses and energy expenditure increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the exhaust gas flow path into two parallel routes through the first and second scrubbers. The shut-off device controls the distribution of exhaust gas between these routes, allowing the system to achieve high absorption capacity when needed while minimizing energy losses by routing through the lower-resistance second scrubber when appropriate.
4Use of energy by moving object
If the shut-off device is opened to allow exhaust gas through the second scrubber, then pressure losses are reduced and energy consumption decreases, but absorption capacity is lowered
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented scrubber system provides two distinct absorption pathways: the first scrubber with high absorption capacity for high pollutant loads, and the second scrubber with low pressure losses for low pollutant loads. The shut-off device enables selective activation of the appropriate pathway, resolving the contradiction between energy consumption and absorption capacity based on actual operating conditions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution reduces energy consumption by up to 90% and maintains effective pollutant removal without increasing pollutant concentrations, enabling adaptation to varying pollutant loads and extending maintenance intervals by adjusting the shut-off device and fan operation.
Implementation Method 1
a first scrubber (1) designed as a column scrubber with a packing (6) through which the exhaust gas is passed from bottom to top
Implementation Method 2
exhaust gas is passed through the device and, through intensive contact with the scrubbing liquid 4, is purified
Implementation Method 3
a second scrubber (2), which is attached inside the first scrubber (1) and has significantly reduced pressure losses
Implementation Method 4
The shut-off device (13) can be designed in any suitable form, e.g. as a gate valve or as a butterfly valve
Implementation Method 5
Washing liquid is added to the packing material from above
Implementation Method 6
exhaust gas is passed through the device and, through intensive contact with the scrubbing liquid 4, is purified
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for treating exhaust air or flue gas, comprising a first scrubber (1), which is designed, for example, as a column scrubber with a packing (6) through which the exhaust air or flue gas can flow and which can be sprinkled from above with a scrubbing liquid (4), and a second scrubber (2) which has significantly reduced pressure losses compared to the first scrubber (1). The device is to be improved so that its energy consumption can be adapted to a concentration of pollutants and/or to a volume flow to be treated. This is achieved by making the second scrubber (2) closable by means of a shut-off device (13).