[Paper Review] Analysis of a wet scrubber network in the air remediation of industrial workplaces: benefit for the city air quality

Alessandro Avveduto, Cesare Dari Salisburgo+7 more|arXiv (Cornell University)|May 17, 2015

Air Quality and Health Impacts7 references3 citations

TL;DR

This study evaluates a three-stage wet scrubber network for indoor air remediation in industrial settings, demonstrating a 40% reduction in volatile organic compounds and significant PM>1 suppression in a fiberglass plant and waste-to-energy facility. The system recirculates purified air, enhancing worker safety and reducing urban air pollution from industrial sources.

ABSTRACT

Industrial activities carried out in confined spaces are characterized by a very specific type of air pollution. The extended exposure to this kind of pollution is often highly harmful, resulting in dramatic effects both on health and safety aspects. The indoor industrial abatement systems, adopted to purify the air, are typically applied to the emission points. The processed air is subsequently emitted outside. In this study we present the experimental results of three-stage wet scrubber systems installed in the industrial workplace of a (i) fiberglass processing plant, where the highest exposure levels to volatile compounds are nowadays today monitored,and of a (ii) waste-to-energy plant, characterized by a very high particulate matter level. The adopted technology, to be used as complementing strategy,does not require special disposal procedures and the processed air is re-emitted in the same work environment for the benefit of the work operators. The operation of the scrubbers network during the working activities, in both the examined environments, has a) reduced the level of volatile compounds by about 40% and b) maintained the particulate matter concentration PM > 1 to a very low level. Industrial plants are disseminated in mega-cities and represent dangerous diffuse pollution emission sources. Remediation of highly polluted industrial plants inside our towns, especially for the conventionally untreated emissions, is of extreme benefit for the cities air quality.

Motivation & Objective

• To assess the effectiveness of a three-stage wet scrubber network in reducing indoor air pollutants in industrial workplaces.
• To evaluate the impact of scrubber systems on volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and particulate matter (PM>1) in high-emission industrial environments.
• To investigate the potential of in-plant air purification systems to reduce urban air pollution from diffuse industrial sources.
• To demonstrate a sustainable, non-disposal-requiring air remediation strategy that improves worker safety and urban air quality.

Proposed method

• Installation and operation of a three-stage wet scrubber network at a fiberglass processing plant and a waste-to-energy facility.
• Application of the scrubber system at emission points within confined industrial spaces.
• Recirculation of purified air back into the work environment to maintain indoor air quality.
• Monitoring of VOC and PM>1 concentrations before and after scrubber deployment.
• Use of experimental data to quantify pollution reduction and system performance.
• Evaluation of the system as a complement to existing abatement strategies without requiring special waste disposal procedures.

Experimental results

Research questions

• RQ1 To what extent can a three-stage wet scrubber network reduce volatile organic compound (VOC) levels in industrial workplaces?
• RQ2 How effectively does the scrubber system control particulate matter (PM>1) in high-emission industrial environments?
• RQ3 What is the impact of in-plant air purification on urban air quality when industrial facilities are located in mega-cities?
• RQ4 Can a scrubber network be implemented without requiring special waste disposal procedures while maintaining air quality improvements?

Key findings

• The wet scrubber network reduced volatile organic compound (VOC) levels by approximately 40% in the fiberglass processing plant.
• Particulate matter (PM>1) concentrations were maintained at very low levels in the waste-to-energy plant after scrubber installation.
• The system effectively treated emissions from two distinct industrial sources with high pollution loads: VOCs and PM>1.
• The scrubber network operated without requiring special disposal procedures, supporting sustainable implementation.
• Recirculation of purified air improved indoor air quality for workers without releasing pollutants into the outdoor environment.
• The study confirms that in-plant scrubber systems can significantly reduce urban air pollution from dispersed industrial sources.