Removal of Cement Dust Particulates via Fully Submerged Self‐Primed Venturi Scrubber

Abstract

In the last few decades, researchers have aimed to improve the removal efficiency of air pollutants using several engineered devices. Here, cement dust removal is investigated using the water scrubbing technique by applying a self‐priming venturi scrubber in fully submerged conditions to study the effect of various operating parameters on performance. This study carries out optimization to develop a model. The removal efficiency of particulates acts as the functional process parameter and its related interaction terms are discussed in this work. Response surface methodology is applied to optimize the process output response. The developed model and design expert platform, inbuilt with the central composite design technique performs the process optimization. This helps in comparing the input and output variables. The maximum removal efficiency obtained is 99.77% at a throat gas velocity of 60 m s−1, an inlet cement dust loading rate of 3.1 g m−3, and a liquid level of 100 cm in the external cylinder under fully submerged conditions. Moreover, recyclable household greywater is used as a scrubbing liquid owing to its low‐cost and availability in sufficient quantities. The proposed scrubber system efficiently removes particulate matter such as cement dust particulates from the environment.