Air Washer Treatment

Air scrubbers and washers use recirculating water contacting air streams removing dust, gases, and contaminants. Absorbed organics, VOCs, and odor compounds accumulate in water degrading scrubbing performance. Carbon filtration removes dissolved contaminants restoring water effectiveness.

Filter Design

Vertical pressure vessel with scrubber water return inlet, activated carbon bed 30-48 inches depth providing contact time, support gravel preventing carbon loss, underdrain system, polished water outlet returning to scrubber circulation.

Carbon Media

Granular activated carbon high surface area for organics adsorption. Particle size 8x30 or 12x40 mesh. Materials withstand scrubber water chemistry including pH variations and chemical additives. Carbon life 6-18 months depending on contaminant loading.

Operating Pressure

Typical 30-80 psig in scrubber recirculation systems. Clean bed pressure drop 8-12 psi. As carbon loads with organics, pressure increases modestly. Breakthrough indicated by reduced scrubbing efficiency or odor detection.

Contaminant Removal

Adsorbs volatile organic compounds, hydrogen sulfide, mercaptans, ammonia derivatives, and odor-causing compounds absorbed from air streams. Removes dissolved organics preventing biological growth and foam formation in scrubber systems.

Material Selection

Stainless steel or FRP construction resisting scrubber water chemistry. Materials handle pH variations from acidic or caustic scrubbing solutions. Corrosion-resistant internal components. Design prevents chemical attack.

Backwash System

Periodic backwash removes particulates and redistributes carbon bed. Flow rate 8-10 gpm per square foot. Backwash with compatible water prevents carbon fouling. Frequency depends on scrubber water quality.

Applications

Industrial odor control scrubber systems, HVAC air washer recirculation, paint spray booth scrubbers, chemical fume scrubber water treatment, wastewater treatment plant odor control, and any air scrubbing requiring water quality management.

Scrubbing Efficiency

Clean recirculation water maintains scrubbing capacity. Organic saturation in water reduces driving force for mass transfer. Carbon filtration regenerates water absorption capability improving overall scrubber performance.

Biological Control

Removing organics reduces biological activity in scrubber water preventing biofilm formation and slime accumulation. Decreases biocide requirements. Maintains clean scrubber internals.

pH Compatibility

Scrubber water pH varies with absorbed gases - acidic from H₂S or SO₂, alkaline from ammonia. Carbon maintains performance across pH range 3-11. Material selection accommodates chemical environment.

System Integration

Positioned in scrubber water recirculation loop treating side-stream or full flow. Treated water returns to scrubber maintaining absorption performance. Makeup water addition balances evaporation and blowdown.

Capacity Sizing

Volume based on scrubber water circulation rate and required contact time. Typical 10-15 minutes empty bed contact time. Balance between carbon inventory and replacement frequency.

Performance Benefits

Maintains scrubber efficiency through water quality control. Removes odor compounds preventing emission from scrubber. Reduces blowdown and makeup requirements. Extends scrubber service life.

Construction Standards

Pressure vessels per ASME Section VIII. Materials for scrubber water chemistry. Design accommodates carbon weight and chemical exposure. Complete documentation with performance specifications and compatibility data.

ERGIL air washer return activated carbon filters maintain scrubber water quality removing organics and odor compounds in industrial air treatment applications.