Gas distribution system for venturi scrubbers and absorbers

This invention relates generally to apparatus for removing contaminants from gaseous streams, and more specifically relates to venturi scrubbers. A venturi scrubber for scrubbing a gas stream to remove undesired gaseous and particulate components. The device includes a scrubber vessel having an external wall, an upper inlet for admitting the gas stream, and a collecting reservoir at the bottom of the vessel for collecting scrubbing liquid. An internal wall extends from the upper part of the external wall to define an axial converging passage for receiving and converging the gas stream from the inlet. An adjoined downwardly extending venturi passage receives the downwardly flowing gas stream from the converging passage, the internal wall abounding the venturi passage terminating above the liquid level at the reservoir; and an annular space is thereby defined between the internal and external walls. An outlet duct for the scrubbed gas stream intersects the annular space at the upper part of the space. The gas stream flowing downwardly through the converging passage and venturi passage is turned about the bottom of the internal wall to enter the annular space and proceed therein upwardly and exits the vessel through the outlet. A scrubbing slurry contacts the stream in the venturi passage. An annular mist eliminator is mounted in the annular space at an axial point below the outlet duct, and a gas diverter is mounted in the annular space below the mist eliminator to divert the gas stream which is turned upwardly into the annular space away from the external wall, whereby the upward flow through the annular space to the mist eliminator is rendered more uniform. Outlet compensating means may be provided in the annular space upstream of the outlet for impeding the flow of the gas stream to the outlet, thereby rendering the upward stream flow in the annular space more uniform.