Packed-bed scrubber - Acid washing
Packed-bed scrubber - Acid washing
(OP)
We are operating a packed-bed scrubber for odour removal (SO2). A caustic/hypo solution is used to scrub mercaptants.
Would anyone have a recipe for acid washing to remove scaling? I have read about muriatic, sulphuric and phosphoric solutions but I cannot find the recommanded concentration. Not too keen on magic products...
Regards.
Would anyone have a recipe for acid washing to remove scaling? I have read about muriatic, sulphuric and phosphoric solutions but I cannot find the recommanded concentration. Not too keen on magic products...
Regards.





RE: Packed-bed scrubber - Acid washing
If you have steel packing you may want to monitor Fe or Ni in the scrubbing liquor.
If your packing is plastic packing, then muriatic works well (diluted)
If your packing is steel or alloy, then you have to be VERY careful, specially with structured packing that is very thin (0.15 to 0.3mm).
RE: Packed-bed scrubber - Acid washing
There's a more effective way to handle mercaptans than is classically understood by adjusting the ph to a near 7 setpoint and using an automated control system. You use a lot less bleach and get better removal efficiency but it will require a new controller.