Air scrubbers are devices that remove contaminants from the air. They work by drawing air through a series of filters that capture particles and impurities. Air scrubbers can be used for both indoor and outdoor air quality control.
Some air scrubbers are designed specifically for odor control. These units use activated carbon filters to absorb odors and VOCs (volatile organic compounds). Odor-control air scrubbers are often used in commercial kitchens, smoking areas, and other places where strong odors are present.
Other air scrubbers are designed for particle removal. These units use HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filters to capture dust, pollen, pet dander, and other airborne particles. Particle-removal air scrubbers are often used in homes with allergies or asthma.
There are three primary types of industrial scrubbers:
Wet Scrubbers
Wet scrubbers are used to remove contaminants from gas streams. In a wet scrubber, contaminated gas is passed through water, and the water absorbs the contaminants. Wet scrubbers can be packed with a liquid that will bind most effectively to the type of pollutant present in the gas stream. Wet scrubbers are an effective way to remove pollutants from gas streams.
Dry Scrubbers
Dry scrubbers are air pollution control devices that use a dry sorbent, usually in the form of a powder, to remove pollutants from exhaust gases. Dry scrubbers work by passing the polluted gas through a chamber where the sorbent comes into contact with the gas and binds with the pollutants. The clean gas then exits the chamber while the sorbent remains inside. Dry scrubbers are most commonly used to remove sulfur dioxide (SO2), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), and fly ash from exhaust gases.
Dry scrubbers have several advantages over other types of air pollution control devices. They can be used with various gases and are not affected by humidity. Dry scrubbers are also relatively simple to operate and maintain.
Electrostatic Precipitators
Electrostatic precipitation is a method of dust collection that uses electrostatic forces, and consists of discharge wires and collecting plates. Electrostatic precipitators are highly efficient at removing particulate matter from a gas stream.
Electrostatic precipitators work by charging the particulate matter in the gas stream with an electric field. The charged particles are then attracted to oppositely charged collector plates, where they are collected.
Electrostatic precipitators are used in various industries, including power generation, cement production, steelmaking, and other processes that produce particulate emissions. They are also used in hospitals and other buildings to remove airborne particulates.
