Fluid flow and gas absorption in an ejector venturi scrubber

Empirical models were developed to describe the fluid flow characteristics and gas absorption efficiency of an ejector venturi scrubber. The empirical constants were determined experimentally using stop action photographs of the spray, static pressure measurements, and sulfur dioxide absorption efficiencies. To take photographs of the spray, a 2 foot high, clear plastic ejector venturi scrubber was used, with a 4 inch diameter gas entrance port. Photographic equipment included a Hasselblad camera, Xenon flash lamp, and Polaroid 667 ASA 3000 film. Exposure duration was about 1 microsecond, resulting in complete stop-action of the spray droplets at liquid rates up to 6 gpm. Droplet size ranged from 34 to 563 microns, with a volume mean diameter of 155 microns, at a liquid rate of 6 gpm. The sulfur dioxide mass transfer coefficient (Kga) varied from 0.6 to 796 lb-moles/hr-ft3 as the liquid delivery rate was varied from 1 to 8 gpm (i.e. from no atomization to complete atomization)