The Effect of Acidic Water Composition on Removal Efficiency of Air Ammonia in a Spray Tower

Abstract

Introduction: One of the major factors that affect the employees' health and productivity in industries is the air quality of work environments. One of these pollutants is ammonia gas, which is very important from an economic and environmental points of view. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of using acidic water compound on the removal efficiency of air ammonia in a spray tower.

Materials and Methods: In this study, airflow was provided by variable ventilation and water pressure through a class electropump. The rate of ammonia removal from the air stream was investigated by a spray tower with changes in water pressure, inlet gas density, and number of nozzles. For this purpose, at different inlet densities, different liquid pressures and different nozzles with water washing liquid with 0.01 mM sulfuric acid were used as the washing liquid.

Results: Increased number of nozzles from one to three had a significant effect on ammonia removal (P-Value = 0.021). Increase of the inlet ammonia gas density from 24.1 to 68 parts per million significantly reduced the efficiency (P-Value = 0.058). Increase of the spray pressure from 9 bar to 12 bar also significantly increased the removal of ammonia gas from the spray tower outlet (P-Value = 0.052).

Conclusion: Increased number of nozzles, increased spray pressure, and decreased density of the ammonia gas inlet gas will increase removal efficiency.