Airflow Simulation of an Umbrella Plate Scrubber

Airflow field of the umbrella plate scrubber was simulated through Fluent software of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) in which the calculation was based on kappa-epsiv model and SIMPLE algorithm. Equations were solved by the discrete methods. The inlet and outlet pressures were set as simulation initial values. The results show that the error between experiments and numerical simulation has not been more than 30% at the inlet some cross section, while at the outlet some cross section, the relative error is about 15%. Vortexes exist in entrance of the scrubber due to the increase of cubage. At the outlet of the scrubber, flow field is conspicuously changed due to the change of air orientation, and the umbrella plates have a great effect on the airflow turbulent. The total pressure change in the scrubber is inconspicuous. The results obtained from the simulative and experimental data have demonstrated that numerical simulation is an effective method for study the flow character of the umbrella plate scrubber.