WO2007121566A1

WO2007121566A1 - Process, apparatus, and system for treating gaseous material

Info

Publication number: WO2007121566A1
Application number: PCT/CA2007/000669
Authority: WO
Inventors: Josef Tyls
Original assignee: Albonia Innovative Technologies Ltd.
Priority date: 2006-04-21
Filing date: 2007-04-19
Publication date: 2007-11-01
Also published as: WO2007121566A8

Abstract

A process and system for treating gaseous material is disclosed. The system includes a first container (12) which receives a cleaning liquid for cleaning the gaseous material. A first guide (14) directs an overflow of cleaning liquid from a first opening (16) to a second opening (18) forming a first liquid curtain (32). The system also includes a second container (20) beneath the first guide (14), and a second guide (22) in the second container. The second guide (22) defines a third and fourth opening (24, 26). A first liquid curtain former (30) is disposed between the second opening (18) and the third opening (24). The first liquid curtain former (30) redirects the first liquid curtain (32) to form a second liquid curtain (34) about the third opening (24). The second liquid curtain (34) extends between the first liquid curtain former (30) and the second container (20) where it accumulates and exits via a liquid outlet (28). The first guide (14) and the second guide (22) are operably configured to receive the gaseous material at the first opening (16) or the fourth opening (26) and to guide the gaseous material through the first and second liquid curtains (32, 34) to the other of the first and fourth openings (16, 26), such that the first and second liquid curtains (32, 34) entrain contaminants from the gaseous material in the cleaning liquid. The system may form part of a series configuration.

Description

PROCESS, APPARATUS, AND SYSTEM FOR TREATING GASEOUS

MATERIAL

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of Invention

This invention relates generally to treating gaseous material and more particularly to a process, system and apparatus for cleaning a gaseous material.

2. Description of Related Art

Gaseous material emissions from industrial, waste disposal and many other processes may include undesirable contaminants that should preferably not be vented to the atmosphere.

For example, industrial and/or residential waste is often incinerated to reduce the overall volume of the waste, thus reducing the need for landfill sites. While incineration may be effective in reducing the volume of the waste, the resulting gaseous emissions may include contaminants such as unbumed gases, metals, ash and other particulate matter. For this reason, such gaseous emissions are often subjected to a further treatment process, commonly known as scrubbing.

Wet scrubbers are often used to remove contaminants from a gaseous material by causing the gaseous material to contact a cleaning liquid, such as water. The target contaminants become entrained in the cleaning liquid and may be removed by further processes.

Incineration of waste converts calorific energy in the waste into heat energy, which may be captured and used Tor generating energy. For example, the incineration heat energy may be used to generate steam, which is subsequently used to drive a steam turbine for generating electrical energy. However, where the gaseous emissions are subsequently passed through a scrubber to remove contaminants generated by the incineration, the operation of the scrubber may cause a loss of at least a portion of the generated heat energy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the invention in a treatment system having a first container and a second container, the first container having a first guide therein, the first guide having a first inlet and a first outlet disposed below the first inlet, the second container being positioned beneath the first container and having a second guide therein, the second guide having a second inlet and a second outlet disposed below the second inlet, the second container having a liquid outlet, there is provided a process for treating gaseous material. The process involves receiving a cleaning liquid for cleaning the gaseous material in the first container, and accumulating the cleaning liquid in the first container until a level of the cleaning liquid reaches the first inlet, whereupon the cleaning liquid flows downwardly through the first guide out the first outlet forming a first liquid curtain. The process further involves redirecting the first liquid curtain to form a second liquid curtain about the second inlet, and accumulating cleaning liquid from the second liquid curtain in the second container until a level of the cleaning liquid reaches the first liquid outlet, and draining the cleaning liquid from the second container through the liquid outlet. The process further involves receiving the gaseous material at one of the first inlet and the second outlet, and guiding the gaseous material through the first and second liquid curtains to the other of the first inlet and the second outlet, such that contaminants in the gaseous material become entrained in the cleaning liquid.

The first container may have a generally annular shape and the process may involve causing a swirling motion of the cleaning liquid in the first container about the first guide thereby causing the first liquid curtain to have a corresponding swirling flow component.

The process may further involve causing the first liquid curtain to have an outwardly tapered shape.

Receiving the cleaning liquid may involve receiving a flow of cleaning liquid and causing the flow of cleaning liquid to have an angularly directed flow component about the first guide.

The second container may have a generally annular cross-section and the process may involve causing a swirling motion of the cleaning liquid in the second container about the second guide.

Causing the swirling motion of the cleaning liquid in the second container may involve receiving a second flow of cleaning liquid in the second container and causing the second flow to have an angularly directed flow component about the second guide.

Redirecting the first liquid curtain may involve receiving cleaning liquid in the first liquid curtain at a liquid receiving area on a first liquid curtain former and directing the cleaning liquid to a liquid release area of the first liquid curtain former to form the second liquid curtain.

Receiving the cleaning liquid in the first liquid curtain may involve receiving the cleaning liquid on a generally convex liquid receiving area of the first liquid curtain former.

The gaseous material may be received at the first opening and guiding the gaseous material through the first liquid curtain may involve receiving the cleaning liquid on the generally convex receiving area of the first liquid curtain former at an oblique angle such that the cleaning liquid follows the convex receiving area thereby generating a pressure reduction at the convex receiving area, the pressure reduction being operable to draw the gaseous material from the second opening through the first liquid curtain.

The gaseous material may be received at the first opening of the first guide and the process may further involve deflecting the gaseous material through the first liquid curtain.

Deflecting the gaseous material through the first liquid curtain may involve receiving a portion of the gaseous material at a gas receiving area on the first liquid curtain former, and deflecting the gaseous material through the first liquid curtain.

Directing the cleaning liquid to the liquid release area of the first liquid curtain former may involve directing the cleaning liquid to an outwardly tapered release area of the first liquid curtain former, the outwardly tapered release area being operable to cause the second liquid curtain to have an outwardly tapered shape.

The process may further involve generating eddy currents in the second container, the eddy currents being generally inwardly directed, and operable to further entrain contaminants in the gaseous material in the cleaning liquid and to transport the entrained contaminants inwardly in the second container and out through the liquid outlet.

Generating the eddy currents may involve receiving cleaning liquid in the second liquid curtain proximate an outer periphery of the second container such that the cleaning liquid entering the second container causes an inwardly directed flow in the second container. The process may further involve receiving cleaning liquid from the liquid outlet and separating the contaminants from the cleaning liquid.

Separating may involve filtering the cleaning liquid.

Receiving the cleaning liquid in the first container may involve receiving cleaning liquid from which the contaminants have been separated.

A portion of the entrained contaminants may settle in the first and second containers as sediment and the process may further involve removing the sediment from at least one of the first and second containers.

Removing the sediment may involve removing a slurry of contaminants suspended in a portion of the cleaning liquid, and the process may further involve separating the contaminants from the cleaning liquid.

Separating the contaminants from the cleaning liquid may involve filtering the sediment.

The second guide may act as the liquid outlet, and draining the cleaning liquid from the second container may involve causing the cleaning liquid to flow downwardly through the second guide and out the fourth opening when the cleaning liquid accumulates in the second container to a level of the third opening.

The liquid outlet may be disposed between the third opening and the fourth opening of the second guide, and draining the cleaning liquid may involve draining the cleaning liquid such that cleaning liquid accumulated in the second container is prevented from entering the third opening of the second guide. Receiving the gaseous material may involve receiving the gaseous material at the fourth opening and guiding the gaseous material through the first liquid curtain may involve deflecting gaseous material emitted from the third opening through the second liquid curtain.

Deflecting the gaseous material may involve receiving the gaseous material at a generally concave gas receiving area of a gas deflector, and directing the gaseous material to a gas release area of the gas deflector.

Receiving the gaseous material at the fourth opening may involve collecting gaseous material below the second container and guiding the gaseous material to the fourth opening.

The process may further involve collecting gaseous material below the first container, and guiding the gaseous material to the second opening.

Heat energy from the gaseous material may be conducted to the cleaning liquid and the process may involve receiving cleaning liquid from the liquid outlet and extracting heat energy from the cleaning liquid.

The process may further involve using the extracted heat energy to generate electrical energy.

The process may further involve introducing a reagent into the cleaning liquid, the reagent being operable to facilitate decontamination of at least one contaminant entrained in the cleaning liquid.

The process may further involve controlling the introduction of the reagent in response to at least one of a concentration of at least one constituent of the gaseous material, a pH level of the cleaning liquid, a conductivity level of the cleaning liquid, and a temperature of the cleaning liquid. The at least one constituent of the gaseous material may include a volatile organic compound and controlling the introduction of the reagent may involve controlling introduction of an oxidation agent operable to oxidize the volatile organic compound.

The contaminants entrained in the cleaning liquid may cause a change in a pH level of the cleaning liquid and introducing the reagent may involve introducing a pH balancing agent into the cleaning liquid.

The contaminants entrained in the cleaning liquid may include biological contaminants and introducing the reagent may involve introducing a biocidal reagent into the cleaning liquid.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a system for treating gaseous material. The system includes a first container operable to receive a cleaning liquid for cleaning the gaseous material, and a first guide in the first container. The first guide includes a first opening and a second opening disposed below the first opening. The first guide is positioned in the first container such that cleaning liquid entering the first container is accumulated in the first container until a level of the cleaning liquid reaches the first opening, whereupon the cleaning liquid flows into said first opening, downwardly through the first guide and out the second opening forming a first liquid curtain. The system also includes a second container beneath the first guide, and a second guide in the second container. The second guide includes a third opening and a fourth opening disposed below the third opening. The system further includes a first liquid curtain former disposed between the second opening and the third opening, the first liquid curtain former being operably configured to redirect the first liquid curtain and to generally form a second liquid curtain about the third opening of the second guide. The second liquid curtain extends between the first liquid curtain former and the second container such that cleaning liquid entering the second container is accumulated in the second container, and the system also includes a liquid outlet for draining cleaning liquid from the second container. The first guide and the second guide are operably configured to receive the gaseous material at one of the first opening and the fourth opening and to guide the gaseous material through the first and second liquid curtains to the other of the first opening and the fourth opening, the first and second liquid curtains being operable to entrain contaminants in the gaseous material in the cleaning liquid.

The first container may include a generally annular shaped container and may further include a liquid inlet in the first container, the liquid inlet being operable to receive the cleaning liquid, the liquid inlet being oriented to cause a swirling motion of the cleaning liquid in the first container about the first guide.

The second container may include a generally convex bottom and the first liquid curtain former may be operably configured to cause cleaning liquid in the second liquid curtain to be received in the second container at an outer periphery thereof, such that the second liquid curtain generates eddy currents in the second container, the eddy currents being generally inwardly directed and operable to further entrain contaminants in the gaseous material in the cleaning liquid and to transport the entrained contaminants inwardly in the second container and out through the liquid outlet.

The first liquid curtain former may include a liquid receiving area and a liquid release area, the liquid receiving area being operably configured to receive the cleaning liquid and to direct the cleaning liquid to the liquid release area to form the second liquid curtain.

The liquid receiving area may include a generally convex area of the first liquid curtain former. The first guide may be operably configured to receive the gaseous material at the first opening and the generally convex receiving area of the first liquid curtain former may be operably configured to receive the cleaning liquid at an oblique angle such that the cleaning liquid follows the convex receiving area, thereby generating a pressure reduction at the convex receiving area the pressure reduction being operable to draw the gaseous material from the second opening through the first liquid curtain.

The first guide may operably configured to receive the gaseous material at the first opening and the system may include a gas receiving area on the first liquid curtain former, the gas receiving area being operably configured to receive a portion of the gaseous material, and to deflect the gaseous material through the first liquid curtain.

The liquid release area may include an outwardly tapered release area, the outwardly tapered release area being operable to cause the second liquid curtain to have an outwardly tapered shape such that the cleaning liquid enters the second container proximate an outer periphery thereof, thus causing eddy currents in the cleaning liquid accumulated in the second container. The eddy currents are generally inwardly directed and are operable to further entrain contaminants in the gaseous material in the cleaning liquid and to transport the entrained contaminants inwardly in the second container and out through the liquid outlet.

The system may further include a filter in communication with the liquid outlet, the filter being operable to separate the contaminants from the cleaning liquid.

The system may also include a liquid inlet in the first container, the liquid inlet being in communication with the filter, and being operable to receive cleaning liquid from which the contaminants have been separated by the filter. A portion of the entrained contaminants may settle in the first and second containers as sediment and the system may further include a sediment outlet in at least one of the first and second containers, the sediment outlet being operable to remove sediment from the at least one of the first and second containers.

The sediment outlet may be located at a low point of the at least one of the first and second containers.

The sediment may include a slurry of contaminants suspended in a portion of the cleaning liquid and the system may include a filter in communication with the sediment outlet, the filter being operable to separate the contaminants from the cleaning liquid.

The second guide may act as the liquid outlet, the second guide being operably configured to permit the cleaning liquid to flow downwardly through the second guide and out the fourth opening when the cleaning liquid accumulates in the second container to a level of the third opening.

The liquid outlet may be positioned below the third opening of the second guide such that cleaning liquid accumulated in the second container is prevented from entering the third opening of the second guide.

The fourth opening may be operably configured to receive the gaseous material and the system may further include a gas deflector above the third opening that is operably configured to receive the gaseous material from the third opening and to deflect the gaseous material through the second liquid curtain.

The gas deflector may include a gas receiving area and a gas release area, the gas receiving area being generally concave and operably configured to receive the gaseous material and to direct the gaseous material to the gas release area.

The gas deflector may include a wall having a concave surface that acts as the gas deflector and a convex surface that acts as the first liquid curtain former.

The system may further include a first collector below the first container, the first collector being operably configured to receive gaseous material below the first container and to guide the gaseous material to the second opening.

The system may further include a second collector below the second container, the second collector being operably configured to receive gaseous material below the second container and to guide the gaseous material to the fourth opening.

The first container may include a first interface and the second container may include a second interface, the first and second interfaces being operably configured to facilitate connecting the first and second containers.

Heat energy from the gaseous material may be conducted to the cleaning liquid and the system may further include a heat exchanger in communication with the liquid outlet, the heat exchanger being operable to receive cleaning liquid from the liquid outlet and to extract heat energy from the cleaning liquid.

The second guide may act as the liquid outlet and the second guide may be operably configured to permit the cleaning liquid to flow into the third opening, downwardly through the second guide, and out the fourth opening forming a third liquid curtain and the syslem may further include a third container beneath the second guide, the third container including a third guide in the third container, the third guide including a fifth opening and a sixth opening disposed below the fifth opening. The system may also include a second liquid curtain former disposed between the fourth opening and the fifth opening, the second liquid curtain former being operably configured to redirect the third liquid curtain and to generally form a fourth liquid curtain about the fifth opening of the third guide, the third liquid curtain extending between the first liquid curtain former and the third container such that cleaning liquid entering the third container is accumulated in the third container. The system may further include a second liquid outlet for draining cleaning liquid from the third container.

The system may include a reagent inlet for introducing a reagent into the cleaning liquid, the reagent being operable to facilitate decontamination of at least one contaminant entrained in the cleaning liquid. The system of claim may include a liquid inlet in the second container, the liquid inlet being operable to receive the cleaning liquid and the reagent inlet may be in communication with the liquid inlet.

The system may include a controller operable to receive an input signal representing at least one of a concentration of at least one constituent of the gaseous material, a pH level of the cleaning liquid, a conductivity level of the cleaning liquid, and a temperature of the cleaning liquid, and the controller may be operably configured to produce a control signal in response to the input signal, the control signal for controlling the introduction of the reagent through the reagent inlet.

The system may include a regulator in communication with the reagent inlet, the regulator being operably configured to receive the control signal and to control the introduction of the reagent through the reagent inlet in response to the control signal. The system may include a concentration sensor located in one of the first opening and the fourth opening, the concentration sensor being operable to produce a concentration signal representing the concentration of the at least one constituent of the gaseous material.

The at least one constituent may include a volatile organic compound and the reagent may include an oxidation agent for facilitating oxidation of at least a portion of said volatile organic compound.

The system may include a pH sensor located proximate the liquid outlet, the pH sensor being operable to produce a pH signal representing the pH level of the cleaning liquid, and the controller may be operably configured to produce the control signal in response to the pH signal, the control signal for controlling introduction of a pH neutralizer into the cleaning liquid.

The system may include a conductivity sensor located proximate the liquid outlet, the conductivity sensor being operable to produce a conductivity signal representing the conductivity of the cleaning liquid, and the controller may be operably configured to produce the control signal in response to the conductivity signal, the control signal for controlling introduction of a biocidal reagent into the cleaning liquid.

The system may include a temperature sensor located proximate the liquid outlet, the temperature sensor being operable to produce a signal representing the temperature of the cleaning liquid, and the controller may be operably configured to produce the control signal in response to the temperature, the control signal for controlling the introduction of the reagent into said cleaning liquid.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention there is provided a system for treating gaseous material. The system includes a first container having a first guide therein, the first guide having a first opening and a second opening disposed below the first opening. The system also includes a second container positioned beneath the first container and having a second guide therein, the second guide having a third opening and a fourth opening disposed below the third opening. The system further includes provisions for receiving a cleaning liquid for cleaning the gaseous material in the first container and provisions for accumulating the cleaning liquid in the first container until a level of the cleaning liquid reaches the first opening, whereupon the cleaning liquid flows into the first opening, downwardly through the first guide, and out the second opening forming a first liquid curtain. The system also includes provisions for redirecting the first liquid curtain to form a second liquid curtain about the third opening, provisions for accumulating cleaning liquid from the second liquid curtain in the second container until a level of the cleaning liquid reaches the liquid outlet, and provisions for draining the cleaning liquid from the second container. Gaseous material at one of the first opening and the fourth opening and guiding the gaseous material through the first and second liquid curtains to the other of the first opening and the fourth opening, such that contaminants in the gaseous material become entrained in the cleaning liquid.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus for treating gaseous material. The apparatus includes a container operable to receive a cleaning liquid for cleaning the gaseous material and a guide in the container, the guide comprising a first opening and a second opening disposed below the first opening, the guide being positioned in the container such that cleaning liquid entering the container is accumulated in the container until a level of the cleaning liquid reaches the first opening, whereupon the cleaning liquid flows into said opening, downwardly through the guide, and out the second opening forming a liquid curtain. The guide is operably configured to receive gaseous material at the first opening and to guide the gaseous material through the liquid curtain, the liquid curtain being operable to entrain contaminants in the gaseous material in the cleaning liquid.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus for treating gaseous material. The apparatus includes a container and a guide in the container, the guide comprising a first opening and a second opening disposed below the first opening. The apparatus further includes a liquid curtain former disposed generally above the first opening, the liquid curtain former being operably configured to receive a first liquid curtain from an adjacent apparatus and to generally form a second liquid curtain about the first opening of the guide, the second liquid curtain extending between the liquid curtain former and the container such that cleaning liquid entering the container is accumulated in the container. The system also includes a liquid outlet for draining cleaning liquid from the container. The guide is operably configured to receive gaseous material through the second liquid curtain at the first opening and to guide the gaseous material to the second opening, the second liquid curtain being operable to entrain contaminants in the gaseous material in the cleaning liquid.

Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In drawings which illustrate embodiments of the invention,

Figure 1 is a cross sectional view of a system for treating gaseous material according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a cut-away perspective view of a system for treating gaseous material according to a second embodiment of the invention;

Figure 3 is cross sectional view of the system for treating gaseous material shown in Figure 2, taken along the line Ill-Ill;

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view of a liquid curtain former used in the system for treating gaseous material shown in Figure 2; and

Figure 5 is a schematic view of a system for recirculating cleaning liquid incorporating the system shown in Figure 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to Figure 1 , a system for treating gaseous material according to a first embodiment of the invention is shown generally at 10. The system 10 includes a first container 12 for receiving a cleaning liquid. The first container 12 includes a first guide 14. The first guide 14 includes a first opening 16 and a second opening 18, the second opening being disposed below the first opening. The first guide 14 is positioned in the first container 12 such that cleaning liquid is accumulated in the first container until a level of the cleaning liquid reaches the first opening 16, whereupon the cleaning liquid flows into the first opening 16, downwardly through the first guide 14, and out the second opening 18.

The system 10 also includes a second container 20 beneath the second opening 18 of the first guide 14. The second container 20 includes a second guide 22, which includes a third opening 24 and a fourth opening 26, the fourth opening being disposed below the third opening. The second container 20 also includes a liquid outlet 28 for draining the cleaning liquid from the second container. The system 10 further includes a first liquid curtain former 30, disposed between the second opening 18 and the third opening 24.

In general, the cleaning liquid flowing downwardly through the first guide 14 and out the second opening 18 forms a first liquid curtain 32, which is redirected by the first liquid curtain former 30 to form a second liquid curtain 34 about the third opening 24 of the second guide 22. The second liquid curtain 34 extends between the first liquid curtain former 30 and the second container 20, such that cleaning liquid entering the second container is accumulated in the second container until a level of the cleaning liquid reaches the liquid outlet 28.

In this embodiment, the first and second containers 12 and 20 are located inside a cylindrical wall 40, which defines a closed cavity 42 between the first and second containers. The system 10 further includes a duct 36 and a tapered wall portion 44 extending between the duct and the cylindrical wall 40. The duct 36 includes an opening 38 which is in communication with the first opening 16 for receiving or discharging gaseous material.

The gaseous material may be generated in an incinerator, for example, and in one embodiment, the gaseous material is received at the opening 38 of the duct 36 and is communicated to the first opening 16 of the first guide 14. The first guide 14 guides the gaseous material downwardly to the second opening 18, and through the first liquid curtain 32. The gaseous material then passes through the second liquid curtain 34 and is received at the third opening 24 and is guided downwardly through the second guide 22 to the fourth opening 26 where it is discharged from the system 10.

Alternatively, gaseous material may be received at the fourth opening 26 and guided upwardly through the second guide 22 to the third opening 24. Gaseous material leaving the third opening 24 is then deflected through the second liquid curtain 34 and then through the first liquid curtain 32 and received at the second opening 18 of the first guide 14, where it is guided upwardly by the first guide to the first opening 16. The gaseous material leaving the first opening 16 is discharged from the system 10 through the opening 38 of the duct 36.

In either of the aforementioned embodiments, when the gaseous material passes through the first and/or second liquid curtains 32 and 34, contaminants in the gaseous material are entrained in the cleaning liquid, thus treating the gaseous material. The cleaning liquid, including the entrained contaminants, is drained from the system 10 through the liquid outlet 28. The treated gaseous material discharged from the system may be subjected to further treatment processes (not shown).

Referring to Figure 2, a system for treating gaseous material according to a second embodiment of the invention is shown generally at 50. The system 50 includes a first apparatus 52, a second apparatus 54 and a third apparatus 56. The first apparatus 52 includes a first cylindrical wall 77 having a first interface 58 at a lower end thereof. The second apparatus 54 includes a second cylindrical wall 93, having a second interface 60 at an upper end thereof, and a third interface 62 at a lower end of the second cylindrical wall. The third apparatus 56 includes a third cylindrical wall 103, having a fourth interface 64 at an upper end thereof. The system 50 is implemented by connecting the first and second interfaces 58 and 60 to join the first apparatus

52 to the second apparatus 54, and by connecting the third and fourth interfaces 62 and 64 to join the second apparatus to the third apparatus 56, such that the first apparatus is positioned above the second apparatus, which in turn is positioned above the third apparatus. In the embodiment shown, the interfaces 58 to 64 comprise flanges, which are fastened together using a plurality of fasteners 66 (only one shown) such that the apparatuses 52, 54 and 56 are sealingly connected to prevent gaseous material from escaping into a surrounding environment.

The first apparatus 52 includes a first container 70, which has a generally annular shape, and includes a first guide 72 centrally located in the first container. The first guide 72 includes a generally cylindrical wall 73 defining a first opening 74, which is generally coincident with an inner wall 71 of the first container 70. The first guide 72 also includes a lower outwardly tapered wall portion 75, which defines a second opening 76. In this embodiment the tapered wall portion 75 has an outward taper angle of about 10°.

The first container 70 further includes a first liquid inlet 78 in communication with the first container for receiving the cleaning liquid into the first container. Referring to Figure 3, the first liquid inlet 78 is shown in greater detail in cross- sectional view. The first liquid inlet 78 is oriented at a generally tangential angle to the first container 70, such that cleaning liquid entering the first container causes a swirling motion of the cleaning liquid in the first container about the first guide 72, in a direction indicated by the arrow 80.

Referring back to Figure 2, the first apparatus 52 further includes a duct 82, and a tapered wall portion 83 extending between the duct and the cylindrical wall 77. The duct 82 includes an opening 84, which is in communication with the first opening 74 for receiving or discharging gaseous material.

The second apparatus 54 includes a second container 86 which has a generally annular shape, and includes a second guide 88 centrally located in the second container. The second guide 88 includes a generally cylindrical wall 89 defining a third opening 90, which is generally coincident with an inner wall 87 of the second container 86. The second guide 88 also includes a lower outwardly tapered wall portion 91 , which defines a fourth opening 92. In this embodiment the tapered wall portion 91 has an outward taper angle of about 10°.

The second container 86 further includes a second liquid inlet 94 in communication with the second container for receiving cleaning liquid into the second container. The second liquid inlet 94 is angularly oriented in a similar direction to the first liquid inlet 78, shown in Figure 3. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the second liquid inlet 94 has a smaller bore than the first liquid inlet 78.

The second apparatus 54 also includes a first liquid curtain former 96 disposed generally above and concentric with the third opening 90. In this embodiment the first liquid curtain former 96 is mounted on a slotted cylinder 98 which is attached to a base 100 of the second container 86. The slotted cylinder supports the first liquid curtain former 96 while allowing the passage of cleaning liquid therethrough.

The first liquid curtain former 96 is shown in greater detail in Figure 4. Referring to Figure 4, the first liquid curtain former 96 is generally dome shaped, and includes a wall 180 having a generally concave lower surface

182 and a generally convex upper surface 184.

Returning to Figure 2, the third apparatus 56 includes a third container 102, which has a generally annular shape, and includes a third guide 104 centrally located in the first container. The third guide includes a generally cylindrical wall 105 defining a fifth opening 106, which is generally coincident with an inner wall 107 of the third container 102. The cylindrical wall 105 further defines a sixth opening 108 at a lower end thereof.

The third apparatus 56 also includes a second liquid curtain former 110 disposed generally above and concentric with the fifth opening 106. In this embodiment the second liquid curtain former 110 is mounted on a slotted cylinder 112 which is attached to a base 114 of the third container 102. The slotted cylinder 112 supports the liquid curtain former while allowing the passage of cleaning liquid therethrough.

The third apparatus 56 further includes a liquid outlet 115 located in the third container 102 for draining cleaning liquid from the third container 102. The liquid outlet 115 includes an opening 117, which is positioned in the third container 102, such that cleaning liquid accumulates in the container to a level of the opening. The opening 117 is positioned between the fifth opening 106 and the sixth opening 108, such that cleaning liquid is prevented from flowing into the fifth opening and downwardly through the third guide 104.

In embodiments where gaseous material to be treated is received at the sixth opening 108 and is guided upwardly through the system 50, the first apparatus 52 may include a collector 116, and the second apparatus 54 may include a collector 118. The collectors 118 and 116 receive gaseous material below the second container 86 and the first container 70 respectively and guide the gaseous material to the fourth opening 92 and the second opening 76 respectively. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the collectors 116 and

118 include truncated conically-shaped walls having an outer periphery 120 and an inner periphery 122, the inner periphery being disposed above the outer periphery.

In embodiments where gaseous material to be treated is received at the sixth opening 108 and is guided upwardly through the system 50, the first apparatus 52 may further include a gas deflector. Referring to Figure 4, the concave lower surface 182 of the first liquid curtain former 96 acts as a first gas deflector. The first liquid curtain former 96 includes a gas receiving area 193 for receiving the gaseous material and a gas release area 191 for directing the gaseous material through the liquid curtain. In this embodiment the gas release area 191 is outwardly tapered. Similarly, the second liquid curtain former 110 may also act as a gas deflector for gaseous material flowing upwardly in the system 50.

Returning now to Figure 2, in one embodiment the first container 70 includes a first sediment outlet 126 located in a base portion 140 of the first container. The second container 86 includes a second sediment outlet 128 located in the base portion 100 of the second container, and the third container 102 includes a third sediment outlet 130 located in the base portion 114 of the third container. The sediment outlets 126, 128 and 130 are generally located at a low point in each of the respective base portions of the containers and are operable to drain sediment that accumulates in the containers when treating contaminated gaseous material.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the base portion 140 of the first container 70 is generally concave shaped. The base portion 100 of the second container 86 and the base portion 114 of the third container 102 are also generally concave shaped.

Operation - cleaning liquid flow

The operation of the system 50 is described with reference to Figures 2, 3 and 4. Referring to Figure 2, cleaning liquid is received in the first container 70 at the first liquid inlet 78. In one embodiment the cleaning liquid comprises water, but in other embodiments may include reagents that specifically target certain contaminants in the gaseous material, for example by including constituents that attach to the target contaminants. Cleaning liquid entering the first container 70 through the first liquid inlet 78 causes cleaning liquid to accumulate in the first container until a level of the cleaning liquid reaches the first opening 74. In one embodiment the first, second and third guides 72, 88, and 104 each have an internal diameter of about 8 inches and cleaning liquid is received at the first liquid inlet at a continuous flow rate of between about 1 gallon per minute to about 10 gallons per minute. In another embodiment, the first, second and third guides 72, 88, and 104 each have an internal diameter of about 12 inches and cleaning liquid is received at the first liquid inlet at a continuous flow rate of between about 11 gallons per minute to about 60 gallons per minute. In yet another embodiment, the first, second, and third guides 72, 88, and 104 each have an internal diameter of about 48 inches and cleaning liquid is received at the first liquid inlet at a continuous flow rate of between about 60 gallons per minute to about 200 gallons per minute.

Referring to Figure 3, the generally tangential orientation of the first liquid inlet 78 causes the cleaning liquid in the container to flow with a swirling motion about the first guide 72 in the direction indicated by the arrow 80.

Referring back to Figure 2, cleaning liquid flowing downwardly through the first guide 72 forms a first liquid curtain 150. The swirling flow of the cleaning liquid in the first container 70 causes the first liquid curtain 150 to have a corresponding swirling flow component, which in turn causes the first liquid curtain to have an outwardly tapered shape. The outwardly tapered portion 75 of the first guide 72 further enhances the outward taper of the first liquid curtain 150, due to forces of adhesion between the cleaning liquid and the guide, which cause the cleaning liquid to follow the outwardly tapered guide portion.

The first liquid curtain 150 is received at the first liquid curtain former 96 and redirected to form a second liquid curtain 152. Referring to Figure 4, the first liquid curtain 150 is received at a liquid receiving area 186 on the convex surface 184 of the first liquid curtain former 96 and directed to a liquid release area 188. Due to the outward taper of the first liquid curtain 150 and the convex shaped surface 184, the liquid curtain forms an oblique angle 190 to the liquid receiving area 186 where the cleaning liquid is received. The cleaning liquid leaving the liquid release area 188 forms the second liquid curtain 152, which has an outwardly tapered shape due to the outwardly tapered shape of the liquid release area 188.

Referring back to Figure 2, the outwardly tapered shape of the second liquid curtain 152 causes the second liquid curtain to enter the second container 86 proximate an outer periphery 154 thereof, which causes inwardly directed eddy currents in a direction indicated by the arrow 156 in the cleaning liquid.

The eddy currents 156 are further facilitated by the concave shape of the base portion 100. The eddy currents, which are formed at all locations about the second guide 88, cause sediment to be preferentially directed toward the third opening 90, rather than settling on the base 100. If any sediment does accumulate at the base 100 of the second container 86, the sediment may be drained through the second sediment outlet 128.

While the second liquid curtain 152 may have a small residual swirling flow component due to the swirling flow component of the first liquid curtain 150, this component may not be of sufficient magnitude to cause sufficient swirling motion of the cleaning liquid in the second container 86. For this reason, in this embodiment, a flow of cleaning liquid is also received at the second liquid inlet 94 to cause or reinforce the swirling motion in the second container 86 (in the same direction as that indicated by the arrow 80 in Figure 3). The swirling motion and the eddy currents 156 cooperate to continuously flush sediment from the second container 86, thus preventing significant build-up of sediment in the container.

The cleaning liquid flowing into the third opening 90 forms a third liquid curtain 158 in a similar manner to the first liquid curtain 150. The third liquid curtain

158 is redirected by the second liquid curtain former 110 to form a fourth liquid curtain 160. Cleaning liquid in the fourth liquid curtain 160 accumulates in the third container 102 generating eddy currents 162. Cleaning liquid in the third container 102 accumulates to the level of the opening 117 of the liquid outlet 115, whereupon it flows downwardly through the liquid outlet 115. The eddy currents 162 are operable to cause sediment in the cleaning liquid to be drained together with the cleaning liquid from the third container 102 through the liquid outlet 115. Any remaining sediment may be drained from the sediment outlet 130. In general the sediment that settles, settles as a slurry including contaminants removed from the gaseous material and cleaning liquid, which facilitates removal and filtering of the sediment.

In the system 50, the swirling flow of the cleaning liquid, in combination with the inwardly directed eddy currents in the containers 70, 86 and 102 effectively reduces sediment buildup in the containers, thus reducing the amount of sediment that needs to be removed through the sediment outlets

126, 128 and 130.

Operation - gaseous material flow

The gaseous material may be an emission stream emitted from any of a plurality of different processes, such as a waste incineration process, for example. The gaseous material may include contaminants including, but not limited to noxious gasses, ash and other particulate matter.

The gaseous material may be received from a preceding process, which may include a pump for forcing the gaseous material through the system 50.

Alternatively, the system 50 may further include a pump (not shown) for drawing the gaseous material through the system.

Downward gaseous material flow In embodiments where the gaseous material to be treated is received at the opening 84 of the duct 82, the gaseous material is guided downwardly by the duct 82 and the tapered wall portion 83. The gaseous material above the first opening 74 in the first guide 72 is drawn or forced through the first opening and guided downwardly by the first guide 72, and out through the second opening 76.

Referring to Figure 4, a first portion of the gaseous material (indicated by arrows 185) passes directly through the first liquid curtain 150, while a remaining portion of the gaseous material (indicated by arrows 187) is deflected by the generally convex upper surface 184 of the first liquid curtain former 96 through the first liquid curtain. The convex upper surface 184 thus acts as a gas deflector in this regard.

In one embodiment, the angle 190 between the first liquid curtain 150 and the liquid receiving area 186 is sufficiently small that the cleaning liquid flow between the liquid receiving area 186 and the liquid release area 188 follows the convex shape of the liquid curtain former 96, thus generating a low pressure region 189 in the region of the liquid receiving area 186. The low pressure region also extends along the first liquid curtain former 96 towards the liquid release area 188. The low pressure region 189 draws gaseous material 187 through the cleaning liquid in the first liquid curtain 150. This is sometimes referred to as the Coanda effect, and refers to the tendency for a moving liquid to attach itself to a surface and flow along it. Contaminants in the gaseous material become entrained in the cleaning liquid as the gaseous material passes through the first liquid curtain 150.

Referring back to Figure 2, the gaseous material passing through the first liquid curtain 150 then flows downwardly in the second apparatus 54 toward the second liquid curtain 152. A significant portion of the gaseous material passes directly through the second liquid curtain 152, again entraining contaminants in the cleaning liquid.

Some of the gaseous material encounters the accumulated cleaning liquid at the periphery 154 of the second container 86. The cleaning liquid in the second liquid curtain 152 entering the second container 86 generates bubbles in the cleaning liquid which are swept inwardly by the eddy currents, thus generating a low pressure region at the periphery 154, which acts to draw gaseous material into the cleaning liquid. This gaseous material is transported inwardly through the second container 86 by the eddy currents

156 and is released in an area surrounded by the second liquid curtain 152.

In a similar manner, the gaseous material enters the third opening 90 and is guided downwardly through the second guide 88, through the third liquid curtain 158, the fourth liquid curtain 160, and on to the fifth opening 106. The gaseous material is then discharged through the sixth opening 108 of the third guide 104 as treated gaseous material.

Upward gaseous material flow In embodiments where the gaseous material to be treated is received at the sixth opening 108, the gaseous material is guided upwardly by the third guide 104, through the fifth opening 106, and to the lower surface of the liquid curtain former 110. The gaseous material is directed then received at the gas receiving area (area 193 of the concave lower surface 182, shown in Figure 4) and deflected through the fourth liquid curtain 160 by the gas release area

(area 191 of the concave lower surface 182, shown in Figure 4).

The gaseous material passing through the fourth liquid curtain 160 is then collected by the collector 118 and guided through the third liquid curtain 158 to the fourth opening 92 of the second guide 88. Contaminants in the gaseous material are entrained in the cleaning liquid as described above. Similarly, the gaseous material is guided upwardly through the second guide 88, and deflected through the second liquid curtain 152 and the first liquid curtain 150, to the second opening 76 of the first guide 72. Gaseous material is then discharged as treated gaseous material through the opening 84 in the duct 82.

Whether gaseous material flows upwardly or downwardly through the system 50, the system may generally include more than one of the second apparatus 54, depending on a desired amount of treating that is required. In this regard, the first, second and third apparatuses 52, 54 and 56, may be combined to configure a system specifically suited for a specific treatment task or for a desired amount of treating of the gaseous material.

Cleaning liquid recirculation system

Referring to Figure 5, a system for recirculating the cleaning liquid in accordance with another embodiment of the invention is shown generally at 200. The system 200 includes the system 50 shown in Figure 2, and further includes a heat exchanger 202, a first filter 204, a second filter 206, a pump 208, and a cleaning liquid reservoir 210.

The first filter 204 includes an inlet 220 in communication with the sediment outlets 126, 128 and 130 of the system 50 for receiving a slurry of sediment and cleaning liquid from the containers 70, 86 and 102 respectively. The first filter 204 also includes an inlet 221 in communication with the liquid outlet 115 of the system 50 for receiving cleaning liquid including entrained contaminants. The first filter 204 also includes an outlet 222, which is in communication with the second filter 206 through an inlet 224. The second filter 206 also includes an outlet 226. The heat exchanger 202 includes an inlet 228 in communication with the outlet 226 of the second filter 206, and an outlet 230 which is in communication with the pump 208 for returning cleaning liquid to the reservoir 210 through the return duct 232.

In one embodiment the first filter 204 is a coarse particulate filter and the second filter 206 is a finer particulate filter. The first and second filters 204 and 206 are operable to separate sediment from the cleaning liquid.

The reservoir 210 includes an outlet 234, which is in communication with the first and second liquid inlets 78 and 94 of the system 50 via a duct 235. The reservoir 210 is operable to accumulate cleaning liquid returned from the heat exchanger 202 and to supply cleaning liquid to the system 50.

The system 200 operates to recirculate and reuse the cleaning liquid.

Sediment is removed from the sediment outlets 126, 128, and 130 as slurry of cleaning liquid and sediment. The slurry is then passed through the first and second filters 204 and 206, where the sediment is separated from the cleaning liquid. The cleaning liquid from the liquid outlet 115 is also passed through the first and second filters 204 and 206 to remove entrained contaminants. The filtered cleaning liquid is then passed through the heat exchanger 202.

In some embodiments the gaseous material may comprise a hot gaseous emission stream (in one embodiment the temperature of the gaseous material is about 900⁰F) and the contact between the gaseous material and the cleaning liquid at each liquid curtain 150, 152, 158, and 160 transfers heat energy from the gaseous material to the cleaning liquid, thus raising the temperature of the cleaning liquid. If the temperature of the cleaning liquid is raised to a boiling point thereof, the operation of the system 50 may be compromised. In particular the liquid curtains may be incompletely formed, allowing gaseous material to pass through gaps in the liquid curtains without contacting the cleaning liquid. Consequently, in embodiments where hot gaseous material is to be cleaned the heat exchanger 202 may be used to remove excess heat from the cleaning liquid, thus limiting the temperature rise of the cleaning liquid and preventing boiling thereof.

Excess heat removed by the heat exchanger 202 may be utilized for ancillary energy generation. For example the heat exchanger 202 may be operably configured to produce steam, and the steam may be used to drive a steam turbine (not shown) for generating electricity, for example.

Cooled cleaning liquid is pumped to the reservoir 210 by the pump 208. The reservoir 210 supplies the system 50 with cleaning liquid through the first and second liquid inlets 78 and 94.

The gaseous material treatment processes and systems described above generally operate to entrain gaseous material contaminants in the cleaning liquid by causing the gaseous material to pass through a plurality of liquid curtains. A significant portion of the contaminants entrained in the cleaning liquid are carried in the cleaning liquid released from the cleaning liquid outlet, and thus reducing maintenance and cleaning requirements when operating the system to treat gaseous material.

System controller In operation, as contaminants become entrained in the cleaning liquid, certain characteristics of the cleaning liquid may change. For example, a pH level of the cleaning liquid may change, or the conductivity of the cleaning liquid may increase due to entrained contaminants.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 5, the system 200 further includes a reagent inlet 250 in communication with the duct 235 for introducing a reagent into the cleaning liquid. The system 200 also includes a reagent reservoir 252 and a regulator 254. The reagent reservoir 252 is in communication with the regulator 254, which is in communication with the reagent inlet 250 for controlling the introduction of reagent into the reagent inlet. The regulator 254 includes an input 256 for receiving a control signal, which regulates the introduction of the reagent. In general, where it is desired to introduce more than one reagent into the cleaning liquid the system may include more than one reservoir 252 and more than one regulator 254, in communication with the reagent inlet 250.

The system 200 also includes first a concentration sensor 258 located in the sixth opening 108 and a second concentration sensor 259 located proximate to the opening 84 of the system 50. The first and second concentration sensors 258 and 259 produce first and second concentration signals representing the concentration of a contaminant of the gaseous material flowing through the opening 108 or 84 respectively. The first and second concentration sensors 258 and 259 may be configured to be sensitive to a range of different contaminants, for example volatile organic compounds.

The system 200 further includes a pH sensor 260 for producing a pH signal representing a pH level of the cleaning liquid, a temperature sensor 262 for producing a temperature signal representing a temperature of the cleaning liquid, and a conductivity sensor 264 for producing a conductivity signal representing a conductivity of the cleaning liquid. The sensors 260, 262 and 264 are all located in, or proximate to, the cleaning liquid outlet 115.

The system 200 further includes a controller 266. The controller 266 includes inputs 268, 261 , 270, 272, and 274 for receiving the first and second concentration signals, the pH signal, the temperature signal, and the conductivity signal from the respective sensors 258, 261 , 260, 262 and 264.

The controller 266 also includes an output 276 for producing the control signal for controlling the introduction of the reagent into the duct 235. The controller 266 may be a general purpose digital computer, or alternatively, may be implemented using discrete digital and/or analogue electronic circuitry.

The operation of the controller 266 is described in reference to Figure 5. The controller 266 receives input signals at inputs 261 , 268, 270, 272, and 274 and, in response to the received input signals, produces the control signal at the output 276. The control signal may be produced in response to any one of the signals received at the inputs 268 to 274, or in response to some combination of the input signals. The control signal is received by the regulator 254, which responds by introducing more or less reagent from the reagent reservoir 252 into the duct 235.

For example, if the pH level of the cleaning liquid increases above a certain threshold, the controller 266 may cause the regulator 254 to increase an amount of a hydrogen peroxide reagent introduced into the cleaning liquid, thus lowering the pH of the cleaning liquid below the threshold. Alternatively, or additionally, the gaseous material may include biocidal contaminants, which tend to increase the conductivity of the cleaning liquid when they become entrained therein, and the controller 266 may further increase the amount of hydrogen peroxide introduced into the cleaning liquid in response to an increasing conductivity level as indicated by the conductivity signal received at the input 274. Hydrogen peroxide acts as a biocidal reagent, which neutralizes some biological contaminants.

In another embodiment, when the concentration of a particular contaminant, such as a volatile organic compound, increases above a threshold (as indicated by the first concentration signal received at the input 268), an amount of an ozone reagent introduced into the cleaning liquid may be increased. Ozone oxidizes some volatile organic compounds rendering them less harmful. Alternatively, the controller may be configured to produce the control signal in response to a difference between the first and second concentration signals produced by the first and second concentration sensors 258 and 259 respectively.

In general, the activity of many reagents is at least partially dependent on temperature and the controller 266 may further be configured to produce the output signal in response to the temperature signal received at the input 272, in addition to or instead of other input signals.

The reagent may be in liquid or gaseous form. Alternatively, the reagent may be in solid, or partly solid, form and may be dissolved into the cleaning liquid.

In general the system 200 may be used to treat gaseous material including contaminants generated by other industrial processes, such as incineration or waste material. Alternatively, the system 200 may be used to treat an air intake for a clean air ventilation system for a building, particularly clean air delivery systems for hospital and airport buildings, where it is important that the air supply be largely free of irritants and biological contaminants.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated, such embodiments should be considered illustrative of the invention only and not as limiting the invention as construed in accordance with the accompanying claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. In a treatment system having a first container and a second container, the first container having a first guide therein, the first guide having a first opening and a second opening disposed below the first opening, the second container positioned beneath the first container and having a second guide therein, the second guide having a third opening and a fourth opening disposed below the third opening, the second container having a liquid outlet, a process for treating gaseous material, the process comprising:

receiving a cleaning liquid for cleaning the gaseous material in the first container;

accumulating said cleaning liquid in the first container until a level of said cleaning liquid reaches the first opening, whereupon said cleaning liquid flows downwardly through the first guide out the second opening forming a first liquid curtain;

redirecting said first liquid curtain to form a second liquid curtain about the third opening;

accumulating cleaning liquid from said second liquid curtain in the second container until a level of said cleaning liquid reaches the liquid outlet;

draining said cleaning liquid from the second container through the liquid outlet; and

receiving the gaseous material at one of the first opening and the fourth opening and guiding the gaseous material through said first and second liquid curtains to the other of the first opening and the fourth opening, such that contaminants in the gaseous material become entrained in said cleaning liquid.

2. The process of claim 1 wherein the first container has a generally annular shape and further comprising causing a swirling motion of said cleaning liquid in the first container about the first guide thereby causing said first liquid curtain to have a corresponding swirling flow component.

3. The process of claim 1 further comprising causing said first liquid curtain to have an outwardly tapered shape.

4. The process of claim 2 wherein receiving said cleaning liquid comprises receiving a flow of cleaning liquid and causing said flow of cleaning liquid to have an angularly directed flow component about the first guide.

5. The process of claim 1 wherein the second container has a generally annular cross-section and further comprising causing a swirling motion of said cleaning liquid in the second container about the second guide.

6. The process of claim 5 wherein causing said swirling motion of said cleaning liquid in the second container comprises receiving a second flow of cleaning liquid in said second container and causing said second flow to have an angularly directed flow component about the second guide.

7. The process of claim 1 wherein redirecting said first liquid curtain comprises receiving cleaning liquid in said first liquid curtain at a liquid receiving area on a first liquid curtain former and directing said cleaning liquid to a liquid release area of said first liquid curtain former to form said second liquid curtain.

8. The process of claim 7 wherein receiving said cleaning liquid in said first liquid curtain comprises receiving said cleaning liquid on a generally convex liquid receiving area of said first liquid curtain former.

9. The process of claim 8 wherein the gaseous material is received at the first opening and wherein guiding the gaseous material through said first liquid curtain comprises receiving said cleaning liquid on said generally convex receiving area of said first liquid curtain former at an oblique angle such that said cleaning liquid follows said convex receiving area thereby generating a pressure reduction at said convex receiving area, said pressure reduction being operable to draw the gaseous material from the second opening through said first liquid curtain.

10. The process of claim 8 wherein the gaseous material is received at the first opening of the first guide and further comprising deflecting the gaseous material through said first liquid curtain.

11. The process of claim 10 wherein deflecting the gaseous material through said first liquid curtain comprises receiving a portion of said gaseous material at a gas receiving area on said first liquid curtain former and deflecting said gaseous material through said first liquid curtain.

12. The process of claim 7 wherein directing said cleaning liquid to said liquid release area of said first liquid curtain former comprises directing said cleaning liquid to an outwardly tapered release area of said first liquid curtain former, said outwardly tapered release area operable to cause said second liquid curtain to have an outwardly tapered shape.

13. The process of claim 1 further comprising generating eddy currents in the second container, said eddy currents being generally inwardly directed and operable to further entrain contaminants in the gaseous material in said cleaning liquid and to transport said entrained contaminants inwardly in the second container and out through the liquid outlet.

14. The process of claim 13 wherein generating said eddy currents comprises receiving cleaning liquid in said second liquid curtain proximate an outer periphery of the second container such that said cleaning liquid entering said second container causes an inwardly directed flow in said second container.

15. The process of claim 1 further comprising receiving cleaning liquid from the liquid outlet and separating said contaminants from said cleaning liquid.

16. The process of claim 15 wherein said separating comprises filtering said cleaning liquid.

17. The process of claim 15 wherein receiving said cleaning liquid in the first container comprises receiving cleaning liquid from which said contaminants have been separated.

18. The process of claim 1 wherein a portion of said entrained contaminants settle in the first and second containers as sediment, and further comprising removing said sediment from at least one of the first and second containers.

19. The process of claim 18 wherein removing said sediment comprises removing a slurry of contaminants suspended in a portion of said cleaning liquid and further comprising separating said contaminants from said cleaning liquid.

20. The process of claim 19 wherein separating said contaminants from said cleaning liquid comprises filtering said sediment.

21. The process of claim 1 wherein the second guide acts as the liquid outlet and draining said cleaning liquid from the second container comprises causing said cleaning liquid to flow downwardly through the second guide and out the fourth opening when said cleaning liquid accumulates in the second container to a level of the third opening.

22. The process of claim 1 wherein the liquid outlet is disposed between the third opening and the fourth opening of the second guide and wherein draining said cleaning liquid comprises draining said cleaning liquid such that cleaning liquid accumulated in the second container is prevented from entering the third opening of the second guide.

23. The process of claim 1 wherein receiving the gaseous material comprises receiving the gaseous material at the fourth opening and wherein guiding the gaseous material through said first liquid curtain comprises deflecting gaseous material emitted from the third opening through said second liquid curtain.

24. The process of claim 23 wherein deflecting the gaseous material comprises receiving the gaseous material at a generally concave gas receiving area of a gas deflector and directing the gaseous material to a gas release area of said gas deflector.

25. The process of claim 23 wherein receiving the gaseous material at the fourth opening comprises collecting gaseous material below the second container and guiding the gaseous material to the fourth opening.

26. The process of claim 23 further comprising collecting gaseous material below the first container and guiding the gaseous material to the second opening.

27. The process of claim 1 wherein heat energy from the gaseous material is conducted to said cleaning liquid and further comprising receiving cleaning liquid from the liquid outlet and extracting heat energy from said cleaning liquid.

28. The process of claim 27 further comprising using said extracted heat energy to generate electrical energy.

29. The process of claim 1 further comprising introducing a reagent into said cleaning liquid, said reagent being operable to facilitate decontamination of at least one contaminant entrained in said cleaning liquid.

30. The process of claim 29 further comprising controlling said introduction of said reagent in response to at least one of:

a concentration of at least one constituent of the gaseous material;

a pH level of said cleaning liquid;

a conductivity level of said cleaning liquid; and a temperature of said cleaning liquid.

31. The process of claim 30 wherein said at least one constituent of the gaseous material comprises a volatile organic compound and wherein controlling said introduction of said reagent comprises controlling introduction of an oxidation agent operable to oxidize said volatile organic compound.

32. The process of claim 30 wherein said contaminants entrained in the cleaning liquid cause a change in a pH level of the cleaning liquid and wherein introducing said reagent comprises introducing a pH balancing reagent into said cleaning liquid.

33. The process of claim 30 wherein said contaminants entrained in said cleaning liquid comprise biological contaminants and wherein introducing said reagent comprises introducing a biocidal reagent into said cleaning liquid.

34. A system for treating gaseous material, the system comprising:

a first container operable to receive a cleaning liquid for cleaning the gaseous material;

a first guide in said first container, said first guide comprising a first opening and a second opening disposed below said first opening, said first guide being positioned in said first container such that cleaning liquid entering said first container is accumulated in said first container until a level of said cleaning liquid reaches said first opening, whereupon said cleaning liquid flows into said first opening, downwardly through said first guide, and out said second opening forming a first liquid curtain; a second container beneath said first guide;

a second guide in said second container, said second guide comprising a third opening and a fourth opening disposed below said third opening;

a first liquid curtain former disposed between said second opening and said third opening, said first liquid curtain former being operably configured to redirect said first liquid curtain and to generally form a second liquid curtain about said third opening of said second guide, said second liquid curtain extending between said first liquid curtain former and said second container such that cleaning liquid entering said second container is accumulated in said second container;

a liquid outlet for draining cleaning liquid from said second container; and

said first guide and said second guide being operably configured to receive the gaseous material at one of said first opening and said fourth opening and to guide the gaseous material through said first and second liquid curtains to the other of said first opening and said fourth opening, said first and second liquid curtains being operable to entrain contaminants in the gaseous material in said cleaning liquid.

35. The system of claim 34 wherein said first container comprises a generally annular shaped container and further comprising a liquid inlet in said first second container, said liquid inlet being operable to receive said cleaning liquid, said liquid inlet being oriented to cause a swirling motion of said cleaning liquid in said first container about said first guide.

36. The system of claim 34 wherein said second container comprises a generally concave bottom and wherein said first liquid curtain former is operably configured to cause cleaning liquid in said second liquid curtain to be received in said second container at an outer periphery thereof, such that said second liquid curtain generates eddy currents in the second container, said eddy currents being generally inwardly directed and operable to further entrain contaminants in the gaseous material in said cleaning liquid and to transport said entrained contaminants inwardly in the second container and out through the liquid outlet.

37. The system of claim 34 wherein said first liquid curtain former comprises a liquid receiving area and a liquid release area, said liquid receiving area being operably configured to receive said cleaning liquid and to direct said cleaning liquid to said liquid release area to form said second liquid curtain.

38. The system of claim 36 wherein said liquid receiving area comprises a generally convex area of said first liquid curtain former.

39. The system of claim 38 wherein said first guide is operably configured to receive the gaseous material at said first opening, said generally convex receiving area of said first liquid curtain former being operably configured to receive said cleaning liquid at an oblique angle such that said cleaning liquid follows said convex receiving area thereby generating a pressure reduction at said convex receiving area, said pressure reduction being operable to draw the gaseous material from said second opening through said first liquid curtain.

40. The system of claim 38 wherein said first guide is operably configured to receive the gaseous material at said first opening and further comprising a gas receiving area on said first liquid curtain former, said gas receiving area operably configured to receive a portion of said gaseous material and to deflect the gaseous material through said first liquid curtain.

41. The system of claim 36 wherein said liquid release area comprises an outwardly tapered release area, said outwardly tapered release area operable to cause said second liquid curtain to have an outwardly tapered shape such that said cleaning liquid enters said second container proximate an outer periphery thereof thus causing eddy currents in said cleaning liquid accumulated in said second container, said eddy currents being generally inwardly directed and operable to further entrain contaminants in the gaseous material in said cleaning liquid and to transport said entrained contaminants inwardly in said second container and out through said liquid outlet.

42. The system of claim 34 further comprising a filter in communication with said liquid outlet, said filter being operable to separate said contaminants from said cleaning liquid.

43. The system of claim 42 further comprising a liquid inlet in said first container, said liquid inlet being in communication with said filter, said liquid inlet being operable to receive cleaning liquid from which said contaminants have been separated by said filter.

44. The system of claim 34 wherein a portion of said entrained contaminants settle in said first and second containers as sediment and further comprising a sediment outlet in at least one of said first and second containers, said sediment outlet being operable to remove sediment from said at least one of said first and second containers.

45. The system of claim 44 wherein said sediment outlet is located at a low point of said at least one of said first and second containers.

46. The system of claim 44 wherein the sediment comprises contaminants suspended in a portion of said cleaning liquid and further comprising a filter in communication with said sediment outlet, said filter being operable to separate said contaminants from said cleaning liquid.

47. The system of claim 34 wherein said second guide acts as said liquid outlet, said second guide being operably configured to permit said cleaning liquid to flow downwardly through said second guide and out said fourth opening when said cleaning liquid accumulates in said second container to a level of said third opening.

48. The system of claim 34 wherein said liquid outlet is positioned below said third opening of said second guide such that cleaning liquid accumulated in said second container is prevented from entering said third opening of said second guide.

49. The system of claim 34 wherein said fourth opening is operably configured to receive the gaseous material and further comprising a gas deflector above said third opening and operably configured to receive the gaseous material from said third opening and to deflect the gaseous material through said second liquid curtain.

50. The system of claim 49 wherein said gas deflector comprises a gas receiving area and a gas release area, said gas receiving area being generally concave and being operably configured to receive the gaseous material and to direct the gaseous material to the gas release area.

51. The apparatus of claim 50 wherein said gas deflector comprises a wall having a concave surface that acts as said gas deflector and a convex surface that acts as said first liquid curtain former.

52. The system of claim 49 further comprising a first collector below said first container, said first collector being operably configured to receive gaseous material below said first container and to guide the gaseous material to said second opening.

53. The system of claim 49 further comprising a second collector below said second container, said second collector being operably configured to receive gaseous material below said second container and to guide the gaseous material to said fourth opening.

54. The system of claim 34 wherein said first container comprises a first interface and said second container comprises a second interface, said first and second interfaces operably configured to facilitate connecting said first and second containers.

55. The system of claim 34 wherein heat energy from the gaseous material is conducted to said cleaning liquid and further comprising a heat exchanger in communication with said liquid outlet, said heat exchanger being operable to receive cleaning liquid from said liquid outlet and extract heat energy from said cleaning liquid.

56. The system of claim 34 wherein said second guide acts as said liquid outlet, said second guide being operably configured to permit said cleaning liquid to flow into said third opening, downwardly through said second guide, and out said fourth opening forming a third liquid curtain, and further comprising a third container beneath said second guide, said third container comprising:

a third guide in said third container, said third guide comprising a fifth opening and a sixth opening disposed below said fifth opening;

a second liquid curtain former disposed between said fourth opening and said fifth opening, said second liquid curtain former being operably configured to redirect said third liquid curtain and to generally form a fourth liquid curtain about said fifth opening of said third guide, said third liquid curtain extending between said first liquid curtain former and said third container such that cleaning liquid entering said third container is accumulated in said third container; and

a second liquid outlet for draining cleaning liquid from said third container.

57. The system of claim 34 further comprising a reagent inlet for introducing a reagent into said cleaning liquid, said reagent being operable to facilitate decontamination of at least one contaminant entrained in said cleaning liquid.

58. The system of claim 57 further comprising a liquid inlet in said second container, said liquid inlet being operable to receive said cleaning liquid, and wherein said reagent inlet is in communication with said liquid inlet.

59. The system of claim 57 further comprising a controller operable to receive an input signal representing at least one of:

a concentration of at least one constituent of the gaseous material;

a pH level of said cleaning liquid;

a conductivity level of said cleaning liquid; and

a temperature of said cleaning liquid; and

said controller being operably configured to produce a control signal in response to said input signal, said control signal for controlling said introduction of said reagent through said reagent inlet.

60. The system of claim 59 further comprising a regulator in communication with said reagent inlet, said regulator being operably configured to receive said control signal and to control said introduction of said reagent through said reagent inlet in response to said control signal.

61. The system of claim 59 further comprising a concentration sensor located in one of said first opening and said fourth opening, said concentration sensor being operable to produce a concentration signal representing said concentration of said at least one constituent of the gaseous material.

62. The system of claim 61 wherein said at least one constituent comprises a volatile organic compound and wherein said reagent comprises an oxidation agent for facilitating oxidation of at least a portion of said volatile organic compound.

63. The system of claim 59 further comprising a pH sensor located proximate said liquid outlet said pH sensor being operable to produce a pH signal representing said pH level of said cleaning liquid, and wherein said controller is operably configured to produce said control signal in response to said pH signal, said control signal for controlling introduction of a pH neutralizer into said cleaning liquid.

64. The system of claim 59 further comprising a conductivity sensor located proximate said liquid outlet, said conductivity sensor being operable to produce a conductivity signal representing said conductivity of said cleaning liquid, and wherein said controller is operably configured to produce said control signal in response to said conductivity signal, said control signal for controlling introduction of a biocidal reagent into said cleaning liquid.

65. The system of claim 59 further comprising a temperature sensor located proximate said liquid outlet, said temperature sensor being operable to produce a signal representing said temperature of said cleaning liquid, and wherein said controller is operably configured to produce said control signal in response to said temperature for controlling introduction of said reagent into said cleaning liquid.

66. A system for treating gaseous material, the system comprising:

a first container having a first guide therein, said first guide having a first opening and a second opening disposed below said first opening;

a second container positioned beneath said first container and having a second guide therein, said second guide having a third opening and a fourth opening disposed below said third opening;

means for receiving a cleaning liquid for cleaning the gaseous material in the first container;

means for accumulating said cleaning liquid in said first container until a level of said cleaning liquid reaches said first opening, whereupon said cleaning liquid flows into said first opening, downwardly through said first guide, and out said second opening forming a first liquid curtain;

means for redirecting said first liquid curtain to form a second liquid curtain about said third opening;

means for accumulating cleaning liquid from said second liquid curtain in said second container until a level of said cleaning liquid reaches said liquid outlet;

means for draining said cleaning liquid from the second container; and

means for receiving the gaseous material at one of said first opening and said fourth opening and guiding the gaseous material through said first and second liquid curtains to the other of said first opening and said fourth opening, such that contaminants in the gaseous material become entrained in said cleaning liquid.

67. An apparatus for treating gaseous material, the apparatus comprising: a container operable to receive a cleaning liquid for cleaning the gaseous material;

a guide in said container, said guide comprising a first opening and a second opening disposed below said first opening, said guide being positioned in said container such that cleaning liquid entering said container is accumulated in said container until a level of said cleaning liquid reaches said first opening, whereupon said cleaning liquid flows into said first opening, downwardly through said guide, and out said second opening forming a liquid curtain; and

said guide being operably configured to receive gaseous material at said first opening and to guide the gaseous material through said liquid curtain, said liquid curtain being operable to entrain contaminants in the gaseous material in said cleaning liquid.

68. An apparatus for treating gaseous material, the apparatus comprising:

a container;

a guide in said container, said guide comprising a first opening and a second opening disposed below said first opening;

a liquid curtain former disposed generally above said first opening, said liquid curtain former being operably configured to receive a first liquid curtain from an adjacent apparatus and to generally form a second liquid curtain about said first opening of said guide, said second liquid curtain extending between said liquid curtain former and said container such that cleaning liquid entering said container is accumulated in said container;

a liquid outlet for draining cleaning liquid from said container; and

said guide being operably configured to receive gaseous material through said second liquid curtain at said first opening and to guide the gaseous material to said second opening, said second liquid curtain being operable to entrain contaminants in the gaseous material in said cleaning liquid.