Power plants burn coal, creating smoke and fumes that pose a significant risk to the health of residents living downwind. The federal government is now trying to solve this problem. It seems that the simplest solution is the adoption of a tighter emission standard. However, the smokestack may turn out to be one place where slightly less restrictive standards result in cleaner air. Coal-burning plants emit sulfur dioxide and particles of ash: it is statistically proven that death rates in cities throughout the country are correlated with the presence of those pollutants in the atmosphere. There is no level of that pollution under which individuals are safe. The challenge is to guarantee the most dependable air pollution management.

The federal law has set a limit on the amount of sulfur that a power plant can emit: this amount correlates with the amount of energy generated. However, it has now been evident that innovative dust control technology allowed for considerably reduced ceilings. This technology implies the use of stack scrubbers. They remove a very large proportion of sulfur dioxide from smokestack emissions, and are constantly refined. Certain scrubbers can be fitted directly within a smokestack, while other installations necessitate the construction of a complete building or facility for a coal plant.

The main method of removing sulfur dioxide from emissions is to put the “flue gas” from industrial plants through a tank containing a sprayed mixture of powdered limestone and water. The resulting chemical reaction produces a synthetic form of the mineral gypsum. This mineral gypsum can be adapted for use in concrete or drywall. The process of removing emissions can be done in two basic methods:

• In a wet scrubber, the untreated exhaust is sent through a spray chamber where fine water droplets knock down the harmful particulates. The water enters a miniature water treatment plant where the sediments are removed before the water is recycled to be used again.
• Dry scrubbers create a dry waste product by using a granulated solid material or electrostatic technology to intercept the particulates. These scrubbers are not as common as wet scrubbers because of their higher installation cost.

However, it should be noted, that scrubbers are expensive. In addition to this, coal from the eastern fields generally has a high sulfur content whilst western coal is cleaner. The senators and representatives of the eastern coal states insisted on a formula that would require new plants to install scrubbers, regardless of fuel quality. The result is a law that requires plants to scrub a percentage of the pollutants out of the stack gas. The environmentalists were concerned that certain plants could commit to using low-sulfur coal, but due to its high cost, they might deceive and break the regulations. Since no device can monitor sulfur emissions automatically, there is no way to guarantee compliance.

Although the EPA focuses most of its regulations and emission requirements on power plants and the energy industry, any plant that has a high-emission fuel source, such as natural gas, coal, or trash, will need to have some version of a scrubber system installed. While there are many air pollution control components on the market, smokestack scrubbers are very multidisciplinary. These units have the ability to remove gases, mists, and solids simultaneously. Wet air scrubbers are also capable of handling flammable and explosive gases safely.

Scrubbers must be properly maintained and cleaned. A smokestack scrubber that is not properly maintained will be inefficient and can become a breeding ground for bacteria.

If you are looking for the best air treatment device to improve air quality, Redwood Technology offers a cutting-edge type of wet scrubber – a Multi-Vortex wet air scrubber.

Redwood technology is a fast-growing vendor of wet air scrubbers. The multi-vortex scrubber can remove gas emissions, dust, vapors, and other pollutants from a gas stream. It is an innovative technology created to save water that makes it more cost-efficient and differs from other types of scrubbers.  If you have any questions or would like to purchase a multi-vortex wet air scrubber, please contact us at info@rdwd.tech