Emission Control Systems

A separation column for an emission control system, including:

• an exhaust gas inlet for receiving polluted exhaust gases therethrough;
• a first packed bed at a predetermined first level above said exhaust gas inlet;
• first liquid distribution means above said first packed bed for distributing liquid onto said first packed bed;
• a second packed bed at a predetermined second level below said exhaust gas inlet;
• second liquid distribution means below said first packed bed and above said second packed bed for distributing liquid onto said second packed bed;
• cooling means between said exhaust gas inlet and said second packed bed for cooling exhaust gases entering said column through said exhaust gas inlet;
• an exhaust gas outlet above said first packed bed for discharging cleaned exhaust gases therethrough;
• and a contaminated liquid outlet below said second packed bed.

An emission control system, including:

• a separation column, an exhaust gas inlet for receiving polluted exhaust gases therethrough;
• a first packed bed at a predetermined first level above said exhaust gas inlet;
• first liquid distribution means above said first packed bed for distributing liquid onto said first packed bed;
• a second packed bed at a predetermined second level below said exhaust gas inlet;
• second liquid distribution means below said first packed bed and above said second packed bed for distributing liquid onto said second packed bed;
• cooling means between said second liquid distribution means and said second packed bed for cooling liquid from said second distribution means and entrained exhaust gases;
• an exhaust gas outlet above said first packed bed for discharging cleaned exhaust gases therethrough;
• a contaminated liquid outlet below said second packed bed;
• a pre-cooler having a cooling chamber with a hot exhaust gas inlet for receiving polluted exhaust gases therethrough and an exhaust gas outlet in fluid communication with the exhaust gas inlet of said separation column, and cooling means for cooling hot exhaust gases as they flow through said cooling chamber.

An emission control system, including:

• a pre-cooler having a cooling chamber with a hot exhaust gas inlet for receiving polluted hot exhaust gases therethrough and an exhaust gas outlet;
• cooling means for cooling hot exhaust gases as they flow through said cooling chamber;
• and a separation column including;
• an exhaust gas inlet in fluid communication with the exhaust gas outlet of said separation column for receiving polluted exhaust gases therethrough;
• a first packed bed at a predetermined first level above said exhaust gas inlet;
• first liquid distribution means above said first packed bed for distributing liquid onto said first packed bed;
• a second packed bed at a predetermined second level below said exhaust gas inlet;
• second liquid distribution means below said first packed bed and above said second packed bed for distributing liquid onto said second packed bed;
• cooling means between said exhaust gas inlet and said second packed bed for cooling exhaust gases and liquid vapor entering said column through said exhaust gas inlet;
• an exhaust gas outlet above said first packed bed for discharging cleaned exhaust gases therethrough;
• and a contaminated liquid outlet.

A method of controlling the emission of pollutants, including:

• providing a separation column having an exhaust gas inlet for receiving polluted exhaust gases therethrough;
• a first packed bed at a predetermined first level above said exhaust gas inlet;
• first liquid distribution means above said first packed bed for distributing liquid onto said first packed bed;
• a second packed bed at a predetermined second level below said exhaust gas inlet;
• second liquid distribution means below said first packed bed and above said second packed bed for distributing liquid onto said second packed bed;
• cooling means between said second liquid distribution means and said second packed bed for cooling liquid from said second distribution means and entrained exhaust gases;
• an exhaust gas outlet above said first packed bed for discharging cleaned exhaust gases therethrough;
• and a contaminated liquid outlet below said second packed bed;
• cooling hot exhaust gases to a predetermined temperature;
• introducing the cooled exhaust gases into said separation column through its exhaust gas inlet;
• and distributing liquid onto the first and second packed beds in the separation column.

A separation column for an emission control system, the column including:

• an exhaust gas inlet for receiving polluted exhaust gases therethrough;
• a first packed bed at a predetermined first level above said exhaust gas inlet;
• first liquid distribution means above said first packed bed for distributing liquid onto said first packed bed;
• a second packed bed at a predetermined second level below said exhaust gas inlet;
• second liquid distribution means below said first packed bed and above said second packed bed for distributing liquid onto said second packed bed;
• and an exhaust gas outlet above said first packed bed for discharging cleaned exhaust gases therethrough.