Experimental investigation of aerosols removal efficiency through self-priming venturi scrubber

Self-priming venturi scrubber is one of the most effective devices used to collect aerosols and soluble gas pollutants from gaseous stream during severe accident in a nuclear power plant. The present study focuses on investigation of dust particle removal efficiency of the venturi scrubber both experimentally and theoretically. Venturi scrubber captures the dust particles in tiny water droplets flowing into it. Inertial impaction is the main mechanism of particles collection in venturi scrubber. The water injected into venturi throat is in the form of jets through multiple holes present at venturi throat. In this study, aerosols removal efficiency of self-priming venturi scrubber was experimentally measured for different operating conditions. Alumina (Al2O3) particles with 0.4-μm diameter and 3950 kg/m3 density were treated as aerosols. Removal efficiency was calculated for different gas flow rates i.e. 3-6 m3/h and liquid flow rates i.e. 0.009–0.025 m3/h. Experimental results depict that aerosols removal efficiency increases with the increase in throat velocity and liquid head. While at lower air flow rate of 3 m3/h, removal efficiency decreases with the increase in liquid head. A theoretical model of venturi scrubber was also employed and experimental results were compared with mathematical model. Experimental results are found to be in good agreement with theoretical results.