Scrubber Towers

Scrubber Towers, also known as gas scrubbers or scrubbing columns, are vertical process vessels designed to remove harmful gases, particulates, and chemical contaminants from industrial gas streams. These towers achieve gas purification through gas-liquid contact, using a scrubbing fluid such as water, caustic solution, or chemical absorbents to absorb or neutralize targeted pollutants. Scrubber towers play a vital role in environmental compliance, pollution control, and gas conditioning systems across various industries.

Types of Scrubber Towers

TypeDescription
Wet ScrubberUses liquid (usually water or alkaline solution) to remove gases or dust
Dry ScrubberUses dry sorbents or chemical media for pollutant capture
Packed Bed ScrubberFilled with random or structured packing to maximize gas-liquid interaction
Spray Tower ScrubberUses atomized liquid spray for gas cleaning, ideal for low-pressure systems
Venturi ScrubberCombines high-velocity gas and liquid for fine particulate removal
Multi-Stage ScrubberCombines different scrubbing stages for complex gas mixtures
Urea Scrubber ColumnSpecialized tower in urea production lines to absorb ammonia and CO₂
Amine ScrubberRemoves acid gases (CO₂, H₂S) using aqueous amine solutions

Technical Data:

Diameter :

max. Ø 13360 mm.

Length :

120000 mm.

Thickness :

100 mm

Pressure :

8 MPa

Weight :

1000 tons

Temperature :

≤ 450°C

Certified Safety, Reliable Quality, Custom-Engineered Pressure Vessels.

— Globally Compliant, Built for Harsh Industrial Conditions.

Application of Scrubber Towers

Scrubber towers are widely applied in:

  • Petrochemical and Refining: Removal of acid gases and volatile organics
  • Fertilizer Industry: Urea tail gas treatment (Urea Scrubber)
  • Gas Processing: Amine scrubbing and dehydration
  • Chemical Plants: Chlorine, hydrogen chloride, and sulfur compound removal
  • Power Plants: Flue gas desulfurization (FGD)
  • Pharmaceutical and Food Industries: Solvent recovery and odor control
  • Environmental Engineering: VOC, NOx, and particulate emission control

FAQs

A Scrubber Tower is a vertical industrial vessel used to remove pollutants, toxic gases, vapors, and particulates from gas streams by bringing them into contact with a scrubbing medium—typically a liquid such as water, alkaline solution, or chemical absorbent. Through gas-liquid mass transfer, harmful components are absorbed, neutralized, or captured before the cleaned gas is released or reused. Scrubber towers are widely used in environmental protection, chemical processing, refining, fertilizer production, and air pollution control systems to ensure emissions meet regulatory standards.

A scrubber tower works by forcing polluted gas to flow through a vertical column where it comes into contact with a scrubbing medium, usually a liquid sprayed or circulated from the top. As the gas rises and the liquid flows downward (counter-current flow), the system maximizes gas–liquid contact through packing materials, trays, or spray nozzles. During this interaction:

  • Soluble gases (like SO₂, HCl, or NH₃) dissolve into the scrubbing liquid.
  • Particulates are trapped or absorbed by the liquid droplets.
  • Chemical reactions may occur to neutralize harmful compounds.

Cleaned gas exits from the top, while the contaminated liquid collects at the bottom and is either treated, recirculated, or discharged. The process is highly efficient for gas purification, odor control, and environmental compliance.

The price of a scrubber tower varies significantly based on design type, capacity, materials of construction, application, and compliance requirements. Here’s a general price range for reference:

Scrubber TypeTypical CapacityEstimated Price (USD)
Small FRP Wet Scrubber< 5,000 m³/h gas flow$5,000 – $20,000
Medium Stainless Steel Unit5,000 – 20,000 m³/h$20,000 – $80,000
Large Industrial System> 20,000 m³/h$80,000 – $300,000+
Urea Scrubber ColumnCustomized for fertilizer plant$100,000 – $500,000+

Price Factors Include:

  • Type (Wet, Dry, Venturi, Packed Bed, Spray)
  • Material (FRP, SS304/316, Carbon Steel + Lining)
  • Tower diameter & height
  • Scrubbing liquid system & circulation pumps
  • Compliance (ASME, PED, ISO)
  • Explosion-proof or corrosion-resistant designs

📌 Note: Each scrubber tower is usually custom-engineered based on project specifications. For accurate pricing, a datasheet or process inquiry is recommended. If you need a quotation template or inquiry checklist, I can provide one.

Choosing the right scrubber tower depends on your specific process conditions, pollutants, and regulatory requirements. Here are the key factors to consider:

1. Identify the Target Pollutants

  • Acidic gases (SO₂, HCl, HF): → Use Wet Packed Bed Scrubber with alkaline solution
  • Ammonia (NH₃), CO₂, H₂S: → Use Amine or Urea Scrubber
  • Dust and fine particulates: → Use Venturi Scrubber or Spray Tower
  • Organic vapors / VOCs: → Use Wet or Dry Scrubbers with adsorbent or chemical oxidizers

2. Know Your Gas Flow Rate & Load

  • Small volume (lab/vent gases): → Compact scrubber or cartridge scrubber
  • Medium to high flow (>5,000 m³/h): → Structured packed tower or multi-stage scrubber

3. Understand Temperature and Pressure

  • High temperature or corrosive gas: → Use corrosion-resistant materials like FRP or alloy
  • Low pressure drop requirement: → Avoid Venturi scrubber; prefer packed towers

4. Choose Wet or Dry Type

  • Wet Scrubber: More effective for soluble gases; produces wastewater
  • Dry Scrubber: Simpler, less wastewater, but lower efficiency for some gases

5. Check Compliance Standards

  • Match design to ASME, PED, ISO, or GB codes, especially for export or regulated industries

6. Consider Space & Maintenance

  • Vertical scrubbers need height; horizontal units save height but require more footprint
  • Easy maintenance access is important for packed beds or spray nozzles

📌 Pro Tip:
Provide your supplier with basic process data (gas composition, flow rate, temperature, pressure, emission targets) to get a precise recommendation and design.

If you’d like, I can help you prepare a scrubber selection checklist or inquiry sheet

The key difference lies in the scrubbing medium and handling of pollutants:

AspectWet ScrubberDry Scrubber
Scrubbing MediumLiquid (usually water, caustic, or chemical solution)Solid or dry sorbent (lime, activated carbon, etc.)
Pollutant RemovalExcellent for soluble gases (SO₂, HCl, NH₃) and particulatesGood for acidic gases and VOCs, limited particulate removal
Waste OutputGenerates wastewater (liquid effluent)Produces dry solid waste (spent media)
EfficiencyGenerally higher removal efficiencyModerate, but improving with modern media
MaintenanceRequires pump, spray system, liquid level controlEasier to maintain, fewer moving parts
Corrosion ControlNeeds corrosion-resistant materials due to liquidsLower corrosion risk
Common Use CasesFertilizer plants, chemical plants, incineratorsCement plants, waste-to-energy, VOC control systems

Summary:

  • Choose a wet scrubber when dealing with water-soluble pollutants, acidic gases, or fine particulates, especially when high efficiency is critical.
  • Choose a dry scrubber when wastewater disposal is difficult, or for simpler systems with low to medium pollution loads.

Reliable Columns for Demanding Industrial Processes
At WSHI, every tower and column is engineered to deliver precision, safety, and efficiency under the most demanding operating conditions. From petrochemical separation to gas dehydration, our vertical vessels are trusted by global clients across industries. With full customization in diameter, height, internals, and materials—and strict compliance with ASME, GB, API, and EN standards—WSHI is your one-stop partner for process column solutions.

📩 Let’s design your next column together.
Whether you need a packed vacuum tower, a stainless-steel scrubber, or a high-temperature distillation column, our team is ready to help.

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