Wet Scrubber Efficiency for Hydrogen Chloride and Hydrogen Fluoride Removal from Ceramic Kiln Exhaust

Abstract

Hydrogen chloride and hydrogen fluoride emissions generated from ceramic kiln operations pose significant environmental and occupational health concerns due to their corrosive nature, atmospheric reactivity, and adverse impacts on air quality. Effective control of acidic gaseous pollutants is therefore essential for ensuring environmental compliance and sustainable industrial operation. The present study investigates the efficiency of wet scrubber systems for the removal of hydrogen chloride and hydrogen fluoride from ceramic kiln exhaust under varying operational conditions. The research focuses on evaluating gas absorption performance, mass transfer efficiency, operational stability, and process optimization associated with wet scrubbing technology. Experimental analysis was conducted to examine the influence of scrubbing liquid composition, liquid-to-gas ratio, gas flow rate, pH, contact time, and packing characteristics on acidic gas removal efficiency and system performance. Results demonstrate that wet scrubbers effectively absorb hydrogen chloride and hydrogen fluoride through gas–liquid interaction and neutralization mechanisms, resulting in substantial reductions in acidic pollutant concentrations. The study further reveals that optimized operating conditions significantly enhance removal efficiency while minimizing pressure drop and chemical consumption. Increased liquid circulation and controlled pH conditions contributed to stable long-term scrubbing performance and improved treatment reliability. Comparative assessment with alternative emission control technologies confirms the advantages of wet scrubbing systems, including high removal efficiency, operational simplicity, and suitability for continuous industrial application.