Maleic Anhydride Scrubbing Application

S&K Ejector-Venturi Scrubber

Schutte & Koerting, a manufacturer of steam jet vacuum systems, steam jet heaters, exhausters and compressors, scrubber systems, desuperheaters, thermocompressors, eductors, ejectors, and valves, was asked to develop a special Ejector-Venturi Scrubber for a specialty chemical producer.

Background

Ejector Venturi Gas Scrubbers are very effective at removing noxious gases, particulates, odors, fumes and dusts from gas streams. Particulate contaminants are removed through impaction by the high velocity spray of scrubbing liquid. Gases and odors are eliminated through absorption and/or chemical reaction between the gases and scrubbing liquid. When properly matched to the application, these scrubbers, by their nature, are better able to cope with the high temperatures, heavy contaminant loads, and corrosive conditions often encountered.

Maleic Anhydride Scrubbing Challenges

Processes for making one of the raw materials (maleic anhydride) used in resin production generates contaminated off-gases. Maleic Anhydride is absorbed fairly readily in water producing Maleic Acid. However, maleic anhydride transforms directly from gaseous to solid state when cooled and, as a result, can easily plate out on scrubber internal surfaces building up and causing plugging. In order to minimize this “maintenance headache” a special ejector- venturi design is utilized.

Custom Ejector-Venturi Scrubber

The gas inlet and liquid inlet orientations are reversed such that the gas inlet is from the top and the liquid inlet from the side. This allows for the installation of tangential wash sprays just below the gas inlet to wash the walls and keep them wetted. As a result the dry/wet interface is eliminated in the body section where most plugging typically occurs.

Other applications utilizing same special design:

Removal of chlorinated silanes, which tend to form “sticky” gels during scrubbing
Removal of elemental sulfur from sulfur holding tank vent exhausts

Results: At 50 – 10,000 ACFM gas rates, 90+% removal efficiency ejector-venturi per stage.

For more information on steam jet vacuum systems, steam jet heaters, exhausters and compressors, scrubber systems, desuperheaters, thermocompressors, eductors, or ejectors, contact:

Power Specialties, Inc.

9118 E. 72nd Terrace
Raytown, MO 64133
Toll Free: (800) 432-6550
Phone: (816) 353-6550
Fax: (816) 353-1740