THE EFFECT OF HYDRODYNAMIC SEPARATION (WET SCRUBBING) OF FINE PARTICULATE MATTER AND ITS IMPACT ON HUMAN HEALTH

Abstract

The utilization of cyclones for fine particulate matter (PM) separation is becoming increasingly indispensable and necessary for the preservation of human health in the developed industrial world. Designing a system capable of achieving 100% separation efficiency across all elements is a formidable task, primarily due to the complex nature of the underlying physical phenomena that govern particle capture dynamics. These phenomena directly influence particle collection. The necessity for this separation process is of high significance, given that particulate exposure can trigger serious respiratory system pathologies such as asthma and bronchitis, as well as cardiovascular disorders. Beyond the negative impact on the human body, dust contamination affects soil and water resources. Furthermore, the accumulation of dust on machinery and mechanisms leads to accelerated wear, overheating, and subsequent failures. The implementation of effective PM separation systems is critical in various industries, including the food processing industry, cement manufacturing, woodworking, and metallurgy, among others. Fine particulate matter, such as wood and metal dust, can be explosive in the presence of a spark or elevated temperature. Mechanical separators are generally favored due to their relatively simple design for manufacture and maintenance.
The Subject of the research focuses on the efficiency, kinetics, and operational parameters of the hydrodynamic (wet) separation process for fine particulate aerosols with a size range of 2,5 μm÷10 μm, including the correlation between the degree of separation achieved and the reduction of pathogenic impact on the human organism.
The Object of the research is the process of hydrodynamic purification of the air stream from aerosol contaminants and the subsequent impact of the treated air quality on public health.
The Goal of the report is the comprehensive investigation of the mechanism in sequentially connected cyclones when hydrodynamic (wet) capture of the fine particulate matter is present, with the purpose of determining the method’s applicability for improving air quality and minimizing the associated ecological risk to human health. To achieve this goal, the following specific tasks have been set:
• Theoretical analysis of the kinetics and the physicochemical foundations of the aqueous capture process of aerosol particles.
• Experimental determination of the separation coefficient (efficiency) by varying the hydrodynamic and aerodynamic parameters of the installed system.
• Scientific substantiation of the correlation between the enhanced air quality and the potential reduction in health risk (respiratory and cardiovascular diseases).
• Formulation of conclusions and recommendations for the practical implementation of the method in industrial and/or domestic air purification systems.
Cyclones utilize centrifugal force to separate particles from the gas flow. Smooth internal surfaces facilitate this separation due to the induced air vortex, which forces particles to migrate along the cyclone walls. The particles accumulate on the walls and are collected in the reservoir mounted beneath the cyclone. The flow within a cyclone is characterized by a dual-vortex movement: the first primary zone is the free vortex motion along the outer surface of the cyclone, while the second zone is the internal rotating vortex, which exhibits a more complex flow pattern.