Modeling of electrostatic spray in a venturi scrubber

Abstract

This paper summarizes the results of an investigation into the distribution of the droplets produced by electrostatic nozzles inside a Pease-Anthony venturi scrubber. The model simulates the flux distribution of charged droplets injected from an electrostatic nozzle in the scrubber under the combined influence of hydrodynamic and electric fields. The effects of operating parameters, such as gas velocity, diameter of the scrubbing droplets, charge-to-mass ratio and liquid-to-gas ratio, on the flux distribution of the water droplets in the throat of the scrubber are also investigated. The model takes into account initial liquid momentum, electric, hydrodynamic and gravitational forces, and eddy diffusion. The flux distribution of the scrubbing liquid in the presence of an electric field is much improved over a conventional scrubber, and the effect increases with the increase in charge-to-mass ratio. However, the effect of an electric field on the droplet flow pattern for small drops in a strong hydrodynamic field is negligible. Simulated results are in good agreement with the experimental data obtained in the laboratory. © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry.