Flux Force/Condensation Scrubbing for Collecting Fine Particulate from Iron Melting Cupolas

摘要

The report gives results of a 6-month test, demonstrating the industrial feasibility of a flux force/condensation (F/C) scrubbing system for controlling particulate emissions from an iron and steel melting cupola. The demonstration, conducted by A.P.T., Inc., under EPA contract, was part of a sequence of research and development projects for this method of particulate pollution control. A particle collection efficiency of 84% was required to meet the emission limit for a melting rate of about 12,500 kg/hr. The demonstration plant was designed to enable experimental determination of operating characteristics when attaining efficiencies around the emission limit. Particle size distributions, flow rates, pressure drops, temperatures, and other parameters were measured and utilized for performance analysis and comparison with theoretical predictions. After an initial period during which equipment and operating methods were refined, the system performed well and without significant difficulty. An optimized F/C scrubbing system for this application would require only about 65% of the predicted power requirement for a conventional high energy system. The total annual operating cost for an F/C scrubber system was estimated to be $131,000, compared to $150,000 for a new conventional venturi scrubber system.