Patent ID: 6551382
Filing Date: 2003-04-22
Classification: B01D,B03C

Abstract:
Process for cleaning contaminant gases and contaminant particulates from a flowing effluent gas, comprising the steps of:(a) bringing said effluent gas, in a first stage, to a temperature T1 and a relative humidity RH1; and (b) exposing said effluent gas, in a second stage, to copious quantities of cool liquid droplets having a temperature T2; where said process has operating parameters sufficiently close to the following optimal operating parameters: (1) The relative humidity RH1 in said first stage exceeds 95%; (2) The temperature difference T1âˆ’T2 is at least 15 deg. Fahrenheit; (3) The mass flow rate of the cool liquid droplets in said second stage at least equals the mass flow rate of the effluent gas being cleaned by said process; (4) The cool liquid droplets in said second stage have an average diameter no larger than 200 microns; (5) The cool liquid droplets in said second stage each bear an electrical charge having a magnitude which is at least an appreciable portion of the theoretical maximum charge such a droplet may carry; (6) The travel time of said effluent gas through the cool liquid droplets in said second stage is at least 2 seconds; and (7) Said particulates and said cool liquid droplets in said second stage have opposite electric charge polarity; to achieve a desired collection efficiency for removal of said contaminants from said effluent gas, for particulates of the size range of interest to an operator of said process.