Prediction of pressure drop in venturi scrubbers using a combined CFD-Population balance approach

Venturi scrubbers is one of the most important devices controlling the air pollution. The most important factor that affects the collection efficiency in these devices is pressure drop. There are different models to predict pressure drop in venturi scrubbers. In this study, a computational fluid dynamics simulation based on Eulerain-Eulerain two-phase method has been applied to predict pressure drop in venturi scrubbers. This simulation uses MUSIG (multiple size group model) as population balance model for the droplet size distribution. Population balance model takes into account the break up and coalescence of droplets. The continuity and momentum equations and population balance model have been solved by finite volume method in the environment of ANSYS CFX 11 software for calculating the pressure drop.In order to calculate the velocity distribution of gas and droplets, the standard k-ε turbulence flow model with inclusion of buoyancy, drag, lift and turbulent dispersion forces has been used. The simulation results have been compared with the experimental data to check the accuracy of the CFD work. The simulation results are in good agreement with the experimental data.

Keywords:

Pressure drop , Venturi scrubber , Multiple size group (MUSIG) model , Computational fluid dynamics