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Gas absorption for environmental sustainability
Faced with the need to make industrial processes more sustainable and environmentally friendly, gas absorption treatment technologies are crucial solutions that mitigate, neutralise and play a fundamental role in reducing emissions of polluting gases into the environment.
Gas absorption is a process in which contaminants in a gas come into contact with a reactant to chemically react. The result of the reaction is less harmful compounds, solids or liquids, that can then be treated and regenerated.
In the industrial field, this method is used to capture gaseous pollutants, such as sulphur dioxide (SO2), hydrochloric acid (HCl), hydrofluoric acid (HF), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) among others, generally emitted by industrial and combustion processes.
In gas absorption technologies we can differentiate two groups – those that use an absorbent in the liquid phase, and those that use it in the dry phase, which can be used depending on the process conditions and contaminants present.
In wet absorption the absorbent is injected or found in an aqueous solution or specific chemical mixture in an absorption tower or wet scrubber, where the contaminated gas is passed through. This is so it will come into contact and react, allowing the absorption of contaminants.
The key to optimal efficiency in this process is to achieve a good mix between the gaseous contaminants and the reagent, which is why fillers or packaging materials and distribution trays are often used to increase the contact surface between gas and liquid, as well as correct distribution in the scrubber.
Learn more about wet scrubbers at the following link.
Unlike liquid absorption, where the absorbent or reagent is in a liquid solution, the principle of dry absorption features a reagent that will react with contaminants in the solid phase. This is a similar principle to the use of adsorbents where contaminants are retained in the surface structure of the reagent, but in absorption the contaminants chemically react with the reagents.
One of the most common applications in dry absorption is known as DSI (Dry Solvent Injection). They are solutions that seek to optimise the capture of pollutants in terms of efficiency in emissions and reagent consumption and are usually made up of a reagent injection system, a reactor, a dust collector and an ash/reagent recirculation system. See more information at the following link.
Absorption technologies are widely applied in industrial facilities, especially in sectors that generate significant pollutant emissions. Energy production, combustion processes, chemical processes, petrochemical industry and wastewater treatment, among many others.
Despite their many advantages, absorption technologies face challenges both in improving the efficiency of emissions into the environment and in the proper selection of absorbents and the management of the resulting by-products. However, continuous research and development has led to significant advancements, improving the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of these systems.
In conclusion, gas absorption technologies represent a cornerstone in the search for cleaner and more sustainable industrial practices. Its application not only contributes to the reduction of emissions, but also drives innovation and promotes a transition towards a more environmentally friendly industrial production. Gas absorption thus stands as an essential pillar for achieving a balance between industrial progress and environmental preservation.
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