TROUBLESHOOTING WET SCRUBBERS.

Even though wet scrubbers are relatively simple devices, they require proper care to ensure long service life and troublefree operation. In this discussion, some commonly used scrubbers are divided into three basic groups, according to their maintenance needs: packed-bed units, and low- and high-energy devices. Nearly all of these scrubbers involve two distinct zones of operation - a contacting zone where the vapor or particle is captured, and a disengaging zone where the liquid is eliminated from the gas. It is shown that improper gas-liquid traffic, fouling, and mist carryover can hamper the ability of packed beds and low- and high-energy devices to control emissions.