Waste Heat Boiler Quench/Scrubber

[bhmh8082]

As a utilities operator at a Pharmaceutical plant we operate a waste heat fire tube boiler which runs on natural gas, rich, and lean process vapors. This boiler processes approximately 6000 SCF/H of natural gas, 600 SCF/M rich fumes, and 4000 SCF/M of lean fumes. On the exhaust side of this WHB there is a quench tank and caustic scrubber to cool/neutralize exhaust gases before being released to the atmosphere. At times we have problems with the quench water foaming badly. When the boiler is down for cleaning, could blowing this water down completely and refilling help prevent this? Thanks for any help!!

 

[gurupc]

Hi,

this scrubber could likley use a reqular scheduled blowdown, a surface continuous blowdown and/or addition of an anti foaming agent similar to those employed to prevent the same actions in boiler water.