A novel pilot-scale installation integrated of improved sieve-tray tower and wet electrostatic precipitator for paint mist removal

Abstract

ABSTRACT In order to overcome the problem of decrease of the spraying exhausts purification efficiency caused by the paint mist, the installation combining of the improved sieve-tray tower and the wet electrostatic precipitator (WEP) was used for the treatment of the pilot-scale 1,000 m3 paint waste gas. The characteristics of paint mist were investigated, showing that the size distribution of oil-based paint mist located in the range of 5.4–43.4 μm with an approximate symmetrical distribution under the pressure of 0.4 MPa. The size of paint mist less than 10 μm accounted for ~50% in quantity. It was revealed that the integrated setup was able to remove the concentration of oil-based paint mist with ~98% removal efficiency, in which the improved sieve-tray tower contributed ~94% particles removal. The soluble volatile organic pollutants (VOCs) of spraying exhaust gas were also captured by sieve-tray tower, promoting VOCs removal. At last, the feasibility of integrated setup used in paint mist removal was analyzed, including the secondary pollutants treatment. The results exhibited the setup has the potential for industrial applications. Implications: Fabricating a pilot-scale installation integrated of the improved sieve-tray tower and wet electrostatic precipitator to remove spraying exhaust gas in the furniture factory efficiently. This tech meets China’s VOC emission policy.