Evaluation of hydrodynamic efficiency of a vertical spiral scrubber: analysis of channel geometry influence on secondary flows and pressure drop
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14311/AP.2026.66.0433Keywords:
spiral scrubber, wet gas cleaning, secondary flows, pressure drop, centrifugal intensification, liquid-to-gas ratio ( L/G), hollow-cone nozzles, geometric optimisation, energy efficiency, flue gas desulfurisationAbstract
This paper addresses the critical engineering challenge of optimising the hydraulic efficiency and energy consumption of wet gas cleaning systems in thermal power plants. While Venturi scrubbers and packed columns provide high removal efficiency, they often suffer from excessive hydraulic resistance or fouling issues. This study focuses on determining the optimal geometric parameters of a vertically oriented spiral scrubber to ensure an energy-efficient operating mode for a medium-capacity industrial flow of 25 000 m3 h−1. Using a theoretical calculation model integrated with 3D-modeling (SolidWorks) and engineering verification (AutoCAD), we analysed the influence of the spiral channel geometry (helix inclination angle α, number of turns, and radius of curvature) on the generation of secondary flows and pressure drop (ΔP).The results indicate that the optimal configuration is achieved at α = 7°, ensuring a stable film regime and an active contact path of 36 meters. We proposed an optimised irrigation system configuration utilising 24–28 hollow-cone nozzles arranged across three vertical manifolds, achieving an ultra-low liquid-to-gas ratio ( L/G) of 0.55–0.70 kgm−3 while maintaining a stable phase contact through a high-gravity centrifugal field (10–15 g). A comparative analysis showed that this configuration ensures a total pressure drop of 397.4Pa at an inlet gas velocity of 7.7 ms−1, which is significantly lower than that of traditional Venturi apparatuses. The obtained dependencies provide a basis for the rational design of large-scale gas-liquid contactors with a reduced carbon footprint and lower operational energy penalties.
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