Ammonia Scrubbers

What is ammonia?
ammonia is a colourless gas that is made from nitrogen and hydrogen and has a very strong and
identifiable odor. Ammonia occurs naturally in the air, soil, and water and is often also a
byproduct of normal biological processes of humans and animals.

Chemistry of Ammonia with H2SO4

This is often by reacting the sulfuric acid with ammonia, or ammonium hydroxide solution, to
make ammonium sulfate, (NH4)2SO4.
2NH3 + H2SO4 —-> (NH4)2SO4
Ammonia + sulfuric acid → Ammonium sulfate

What is ammonia scrubber?

Ammonia Scrubbers remove pollutants via a chemical reaction as opposed to Particulate
Scrubbers, which inject liquid into the gas stream. Ammonia Scrubbers have proven effective at
removing ammonia from exhaust streams using this method. 
Ammonia is produced from nitrogen and hydrogen 
the process is called the Haber Process by combining nitrogen with air and adding pressure, you
can make ammonia. It takes about 200 atmospheres of pressure, and the process varies from
refinery to refinery. Still, on average, you can only make approximately 15% of ammonia during
each pass which takes multiple passes to achieve the 15%. The reaction to make ammonia is
exothermic when produced in a refining process. 

However, ammonia is also formed in nature in smaller quantities. Most ammonia (90%) is
utilized for fertilizer production, but ammonia can be found in food, pharmaceutical products,
and cleaning supplies. When ammonia gas is released into the air, it has a very noxious and
pungent odor that can be dangerous to inhale, so often, odor control scrubbers are required to
capture and treat the ammonia gas.
How do ammonia scrubbers work?
Ammonia scrubbers work to remove pollutants through a chemical reaction. This method is
different to the process when using particulate scrubbers that inject liquid into the gas stream.

The material of the ammonia scrubber body is PP polypropylene. The influent water is tap

water or recycle water in the plant, and the drained water can be connected to the waste liquid
collection tank for collection. The ammonia gas scrubber is simple to install, easy to operate, and
has high absorption and purification efficiency of ammonia gas. It is the most widely used
ammonia gas absorption device at present. .

The working principle of ammonia adsorption scrubber

The produced ammonia scrubber adopts the principle of spray absorption, and is mainly used to
absorb the ammonia gas generated from the exhaust port of the ammonia water storage tank.
Ammonia scrubbers take advantage of the fact that ammonia is easily soluble in water. When
ammonia water is injected into the ammonia water storage tank or metering box, since the
ammonia water storage tank and the ammonia water metering box are closed atmospheric
pressure containers, when ammonia water is filled into the storage tank , Positive pressure is
generated inside the storage tank. Under the action of the positive pressure, the ammonia gas
formed by the volatilization of the liquid surface in the tank is discharged into the ammonia gas
adsorption device through the exhaust port of the storage tank. Inside the ammonia gas scrubber,
it is sprayed by tap water. In this way, the packing layer in the ammonia scrubber contacts the
spray water, and an absorption reaction occurs, and the ammonia gas dissolves in water to
achieve the purpose of absorption and purification.

Product structure of ammonia adsorption scrubber

The ammonia scrubber has a simple structure, a vertical structure, and a small footprint. It is
composed of bottom water tank, middle filling absorption section, spray section and top exhaust
section. There are 4 inlet and outlet pipes, which are ammonia gas inlet, exhaust outlet, spray
water inlet and liquid outlet.
Fluid Controls highlighted to us how ammonia scrubbers have proven to be very effective at
removing ammonia from exhaust streams.

Ammonia scrubbers work by using dilute sulfuric acid (H2SO4) to neutralise the ammonia. It is
through this method that a byproduct is produced: a form of salt.

This byproduct of salt is collected and removed through the wastewater blow-down, as the
treated air stream is exhausted through the stack.

As noted by Fluid Controls, it is vitally important that efficient ammonia scrubbers are used
throughout this process. Due to the toxic nature of ammonia, it is important that this compound is
treated below established limits before it is allowed to be released into the atmosphere.

Process flow of ammonia adsorption scrubber

The ammonia scrubber adopts a counter-flow process design, and there is no need to add
chemicals in the process of ammonia treatment. The ammonia gas from the ammonia water
storage tank enters the ammonia scrubber from the bottom and passes through the packing layer
upward. The packing designed by Xicheng Ep is a diameter of 50mm multi-faceted hollow
sphere, the filler is light in weight and has a large specific surface area, which can make the
ammonia gas fully contact with the spray water and improve the absorption and purification
efficiency. The gas after absorption and purification is discharged from the elbow at the top of
the ammonia scrubber.

Selection method of ammonia adsorption scrubber

For ammonia water storage tanks and metering boxes of different volumes, the design method of
spray absorption of ammonia gas is adopted. The height of the layer mass transfer unit - Hog and
the number of mass transfer units - Nog, get the diameter of the ammonia scrubber and the height
of the packing layer (Z=Hog*Nog).

Specifications of Ammonia Scrubber

We provide ammonia scrubbers in the following specifications:
Material of Carbon Steel Carbon Steel Carbon Steel
Construction

2,000 SCFH 56 6,000 SCFH 12,000 SFCH

Flow Rate
m3/hr. 169 m3/hr. 339 m3/hr.

Inlet Port Size 2″ NPT 2 1/2″ NPT 4″ Flange

Outlet Port Size 2″ NPT 2 1/2″ NPT 4″ Flange

Operating Pressure 6 PSI 41.4 kpa 6 PSI 41.4 kpa 6 PSI 41.4 kpa

20-22 PSIG 20-22 PSIG 20-22 PSIG

MAWP Rating
138.9 kpa 138.9 kpa 138.9 kpa

Maximum
Operating 79°F 26°C 79°F 26°C 79°F 26°C
Temperature

Water Usage per 60 Gal 227 60 Gal 227 60 Gal 227

Hour Liter Liter Liter

Water Usage per 60 Gal 227 138 Gal 522 240 Gal 908
Hour Liter Liter Liter

Operating
38°F to 104°F 38°F to 104°F 38°F to 104°F
Environment
(3°C to 40°C) (3°C to 40°C) (3°C to 40°C)
(Ambient Temp)

30W @ 115V 30W @ 115V 30W @ 115V

Power
±10% ±10% ±10%

How do we treat ammonia?

The most effective pollution control technology for the abatement of Ammonia utilizes a Wet
Scrubber which is often called an Ammonia Scrubber. Aqueous Ammonia solutions have very
high vapor pressure, which prevents plain water from being recycled in a wet, dry or packed
scrubber system. The water is discarded after each pass through the air scrubber. In some
instances, this may be acceptable or even desirable if the plant has a use for a solution of dilute
Ammonium Hydroxide, i.e., Aqua-Ammonia. Due to the alkalinity of NH3, it is very effectively
scrubbed using an acid solution. This allows recycling of the water due to the NH3 reacting to
form a non-volatile Ammonium Salt.

The most common acid used in air scrubbers is Sulfuric Acid, due to its availability, low cost,
and non-volatility. The product formed when Ammonia is scrubbed with Sulfuric Acid is
Ammonium Sulfate, which is a common fertilizer ingredient. Thus, depending on the quantity of
NH3 being scrubbed, the Ammonium Sulfate by-product may be utilized as an additional
revenue stream. Ammonia air scrubbers incorporate a variety of gas-liquid contacting
techniques, including packed beds, spray chambers, and water jets. In every application, GCES
considers all factors in selecting the optimum design. We offer complete packages for our dry,
wet or packed scrubber systems, including instrumentation and controls, skid-mounting of
equipment, acid storage tanks, metering pumps, and installation.

Exposure limit of ammonia

OSHA: Permissible Exposure Limit: 50 parts per million (ppm) averaged over an eight hour
work day. This is the standard that must be met in every work place.
NIOSH: Recommended Exposure Limit (REL): 25 ppm averaged over an eight-hour work day.
NIOSH also says that there should be a Short Term Exposure Limit (STEL) of 35 ppm during
any 15 minute period in the day. No worker should be exposed to more than that amount over
any 15 minute period.

Mechanism
A solution containing sulfuric acid (H2SO4) in water is recirculated in a loop process. The
chemical reagent is introduced at the top of the vertical tower through a distribution system
designed by Drizgas Tech and travels down through and across the media bed. The random
packed mediais typically made from polypropylene material and is resistant to the low pH of the
solution.
The media bed is supported by a false bottom that separates the media bed from the solution tank
below. Then the air travels upward it meets the acidic solution and a reaction occurs to neutralize
the ammonia gas.
Scrubbing liquid is evenly introduced above the packing and flows down through the bed. The
liquid coats the packing and establishes a thin film.
The pollutant to be absorbed must be soluble in the fluid. In vertical packed bed scrubber, the gas
stream flows up the chamber (countercurrent to the liquid).
Physical absorption depends on properties of the gas stream and liquid solvent, such as density
and viscosity, as well as specific characteristics of the pollutants in the gas (e.g., diffusivity,
equilibrium solubility).
The most common acid used in air scrubbers is Sulfuric Acid, due to its availability, low cost,
and non-volatility. The product formed when Ammonia is scrubbed with Sulfuric Acid is
Ammonium Sulfate, which is a common fertilizer ingredient.
Caustic can be used to adjust the pH of the waste stream prior to disposal.
The resulting byproduct, a form of salt, is collected and removed through the wastewater blow-
down, as the treated air stream is exhausted through the stack. 
Due to its toxicity, ammonia gas is a regulated compound that needs to be treated below
established limits before it is released into the atmosphere.   
Depending on the quantity of NH3 being scrubbed, the Ammonium Sulfate by-product may be
utilized as an additional revenue stream. Ammonia air scrubbers incorporate a variety of gas-
liquid contacting techniques, including packed beds, spray chambers, and water jets.
dvantages
 Can handle high temperature streams
 Versatile
 Processes high moisture streams
 Smaller space requirements
 Can be retrofitted into current equipment (in some cases)
 Provides cooling of heated gases
 Higher removal capabilities than other equipment
 Lower cost of purchase
 Can remove gases and particulates, in a single unit
 Able to neutralize highly corrosive gases and dusts
 No secondary dust source
 No temperature limits
 Can handle highly flammable dusts, with very little risk of explosion
 Several customizable options, based on specific output and applications, often
allowing for a reduction in cost.
Features
 Can handle air flow rate from 100 to 30,000 CFM
 Removal method is Absorption / Chemisorption
 Material of Construction: PP, FRP, PP+FRP, MS+FRP, SS 304, SS 316
 High efficiency Tellerette®Tower Packing removes soluble/reactive gases, solid
particulate and liquid droplets down to 7 microns
 Lower shell serves as integral sump for recycle of liquid
 Spray nozzles accessible from top of unit
 Entrainment separators prevent liquid carryover
 Special multi-bed packing designs accommodate different scrubbing solutions for
removal of multiple contaminants
 Efficiency up to 99 %
Additional accessories
 Continuous pH monitoring system for scrubbing liquid
 Dosing system for adjusting pH
 PLC operated control panel
 SCADA system
Design considerations
 Air flow rate of exhaust gas
 Velocity across the column
 Pollutant concentration in the gas
 Solubility of pollutants in solvent/water
 Reaction rate
 Liquid to Gas (L/G) ratio
 HTU (Height of Transfer Unit)
Packing material size, shape and type
Packing depth
Gas temperature
Applications

 Storage room exhaust scrubbing

 Emergency ammonia scrubbing
 Storage tank vent scrubbing
 Process vent scrubbing
 Textile industries ammonia scrubbing
 Fertilizer industries ammonia scrubbing
Effect
 Ammonia pollution also impacts species composition through soil acidification, direct toxic
damage to leaves and by altering the susceptibility of plants to frost, drought and
pathogens (including insect pests and invasive species).