Efficient and environmentally friendly: Application of Venturi wet dust collector in the pharmaceutical industry

During the pharmaceutical production process, dust and some soluble gases may be generated during raw material placement, crushing, mixing, granulation, tableting, coating and packaging. In order to improve the production environment and reduce particulate matter emissions, companies need to choose appropriate exhaust gas treatment equipment based on specific processes.

The Venturi wet dust collector uses high-speed airflow to fully contact the spray liquid to wet, collide, condense and separate the particles in the dust-containing gas. It is suitable for some high-concentration dust, sticky dust or working conditions that require simultaneous cooling and humidification.

1. Working principle of Venturi wet dust collector

After dust-containing gas enters the Venturi tube, it is accelerated in the throat area. The spray liquid is dispersed into fine droplets under the action of high-speed airflow, and collides with and contacts the dust particles.

The tiny particles are gradually condensed into larger dust-containing droplets after being wetted by the liquid droplets, and then enter the gas-liquid separation device. Dust-containing droplets are separated from the air flow under the action of centrifugal force, gravity or mist removal structure, and enter the circulating water tank or sedimentation area.

The preliminary purified gas is discharged from the equipment outlet, and the circulating fluid is precipitated, filtered, replenished, doped or replaced according to the operating conditions.

2. Main application scenarios in the pharmaceutical industry

1. Raw material delivery: used to handle the dust generated during the unpacking, feeding and transportation of powdered raw materials.

2. Crushing and screening: Collect particulate matter produced during the operation of crushers, screens and conveying equipment.

3. Mixing and granulation: handle the dust and some high-humidity waste gas generated during the mixing, granulation and drying processes.

4. Tablet pressing and coating: used for some waste gases containing dust, sticky particles or requiring wet pretreatment.

5. Cleaning and chemical processes: Depending on the nature of the pollutants, some gases that are easily soluble in water or can react with the chemical liquid can be processed.

3. Main features of Venturi wet dust collector

1. Strong collection ability for fine particles: high-speed air flow helps to increase the probability of collision between droplets and dust.

2. Suitable for some sticky dust: After the dust enters the liquid phase, it can reduce filter material clogging and secondary dust problems.

3. Simultaneous cooling and humidification: suitable for treating some waste gases with higher temperatures or requiring wet pretreatment.

4. Can handle some water-soluble pollutants: After configuring the absorbing liquid according to the properties of the pollutants, a certain degree of absorption and neutralization can be achieved.

5. Flexible equipment configuration: the structure can be designed according to the processing air volume, dust concentration and on-site space.

4. Effect on the pharmaceutical production environment

The Venturi wet dust collector can reduce the concentration of particulate matter in the production waste gas and reduce the accumulation of dust in pipelines, fans and subsequent processing equipment, thereby improving equipment operating conditions.

For processes with high dust concentrations or requiring wet treatment, the equipment can also be used as a front-end pretreatment unit, used in combination with defogging, absorption, activated carbon adsorption or other subsequent purification equipment.

Whether product quality can be improved should be judged based on the specific production process. The main function of the dust removal system is to control exhaust gas and dust emissions. It cannot replace the clean air conditioning, pressure difference control and process quality management of the production workshop itself.

5. Regarding the treatment of harmful gases and VOCs

The Venturi wet dust collector is mainly used to capture particulate matter. Gases that are easily soluble in water or can react chemically with the absorption liquid can be removed to a certain extent by adjusting the circulating liquid formula.

For most volatile organic compounds that are difficult to dissolve in water, it is usually difficult to achieve the ideal treatment effect by relying only on ordinary water washing. It is necessary to combine activated carbon adsorption, condensation recovery, catalytic combustion or other special processes.

6. The equipment is not equivalent to hospital air disinfection equipment

The Venturi wet dust collector is mainly used for industrial waste gas treatment and is not suitable for use directly as air disinfection equipment in hospital wards, operating rooms or clean rooms.

Hospital air purification usually requires the use of high-efficiency filtration, clean air conditioning, pressure difference control and disinfection systems that meet relevant requirements. The main function of the Venturi wet dust collector is the treatment of industrial dusty waste gas and some absorbable pollutants.

7. Main factors affecting the treatment effect

1. The air flow velocity at the venturi throat and the system pressure difference.

2. Spray liquid volume, droplet size and nozzle arrangement.

3. Dust particle size, concentration, density and hydrophilicity.

4. Exhaust gas temperature, humidity and corrosiveness.

5. The operating status of the gas-liquid separation device and mist eliminator.

6. Suspended solids, chemical concentration and sewage discharge in the circulating fluid.

8. Parameters that need to be provided when selecting equipment

1. Actual processing air volume and equipment operating time.

2. Dust type, particle size, concentration and whether it is sticky.

3. Exhaust gas temperature, humidity and corrosiveness.

4. Whether it contains acidic, alkaline or organic pollutants.

5. Allowable system resistance and fan power.

6. Circulating water treatment, sewage discharge and sludge disposal conditions.

7. On-site installation space, interface direction and equipment material requirements.

9. Precautions for operation and maintenance

1. Regularly check the nozzles, throats and pipelines to prevent blockage and wear.

2. Clean the circulating water tank, sedimentation area and sewage pipes regularly.

3. Check whether the mist eliminator is blocked to prevent droplets from being discharged with the air flow.

4. Monitor system pressure difference, air volume and circulating fluid level.

5. Timely replenish water, add medicine and discharge sewage according to the status of circulating fluid.

6. Wastewater and sludge that come into contact with pharmaceutical dust or active ingredients should be collected and treated according to corresponding requirements.

10. Application suggestions

The Venturi wet dust collector is suitable for some high-concentration dust, sticky dust and waste gas that require wet pretreatment in the pharmaceutical industry, but not all pharmaceutical processes are suitable for wet dust removal.

For processes that need to recycle dry powder materials, strictly control wastewater generation, or require high cleanliness, bag dust collectors, cartridge dust collectors, high-efficiency filters, or other treatment methods can be selected.

Venturi wet dust collectors usually have a higher system pressure drop, so the operating energy consumption is not necessarily lower than that of ordinary dust removal equipment. The actual selection should comprehensively consider dust removal efficiency, fan energy consumption, circulating water treatment, sludge disposal and maintenance costs.