Venturi scrubber: features and benefits

Venturi scrubber: a system that purifies the air by mixing it with water and that allows to eliminate polluting elements and dust. In this article we will explain in more detail what a Venturi scrubber is, how it works and what advantages it brings in the dedusting process.

What is the Venturi scrubber

As we have anticipated, the Venturi scrubber is a filtering system that exploits the physical properties and mechanics of fluids to purify the air. More detailed below, the system involves several phases:

• The air to be dedusted is passed through a duct with a reduced section.
• In this way, it increases its speed: this is the so-called “Venturi effect“.
• Before this step, a pump draws water from a tank and feeds it into the system, thus forming a mixture of water, air and dust.
• The higher air velocity in the duct causes dust to transfer from air to water. Water also absorbs gases and other soluble substances, such as acids, alcohol and ammonia. For non-water-soluble elements, chemical reagents are used, which, combining with the substances to be removed, precipitate them to the bottom of the scrubber separating them from the air.
• The water then re-enters a collection tank: from here it is pumped out of the system, to eliminate it together with the powders and other insoluble elements.
• As a result of the different steps, the air flow remains clean and dedusted.

The basic elements and the phases of operation of a Venturi scrubber are standard. Depending on the needs, other elements can be inserted into the system. For example,:

• Level sensors, turbidity meter and electrostatic sensors that allow the automatic management of loading and unloading in the tank from which the clean water is taken to be introduced into the system; 
• Overflow load system to avoid overflows and let out any foams;
• Flow meter or flow switch to prevent breakage or damage to the recirculation pump, for fine calibration of the process and to monitor water consumption. 

Advantages of the Venturi scrubber

Sorgato produces Venturi scrubber water filters with different characteristics, according to customer needs. Our filters are made entirely of stainless steel and are equipped with a control panel that allows you to adjust all the operating parameters.

But what are the advantages of using a Venturi scrubber? Let’s see the main ones:

• Use of the Venturi filter in all those situations where air cannot be filtered using a bag filter. For example, if the air to be purified is very humid or if the dust and pollutants to be filtered are not dry, the bag filter may become clogged and not work properly.
• High efficiency, thanks to the possibility of acting even on polluting particles of smaller size.  The filtration efficiency of the Venturi scrubber, in fact, can reach a value of more than 99%.
• Ease in adjusting and controlling all parameters of the filtering process at all times, through the control panel.
• Elimination of odors linked to the presence of specific pollutants to be filtered, especially in sectors involving the management and treatment of particular materials.
• Reduced operating and maintenance costs.
• Safety in the field of fire and explosion protection; the Venturi scrubber filter, unlike bag filters, does not require any fire protection or ATEX explosion protection device with obvious positive repercussions in terms of safety and economic. 
• Versatility of use, thanks to the possibility of adapting the Venturi filter in size and requirements to different needs. For example, the filter can be modified according to the flow rate of the air flow, the type of production and industrial application of reference, the characteristics of the air to be filtered.

The filtering system of the Venturi scrubber is therefore extremely efficient and can be adapted to the needs of different sectors. For example, the converting sector, the textile industry, the  chemical and pharmaceutical industry, the food sector, companies dealing with surface treatment of metals, foundries, waste management. 

Do you want to find out what benefits a Venturi scrubber can bring to your company and develop a tailor-made project?  Contact us: Sorgato technicians are at your disposal.