Pollution abatement apparatus and method

#This invention relates to an apparatus and method for reducing particulates and certain gasses in gas streams, particularly in exhaust streams from combustion devices.

#In the prior-art there are devices, using steam or water scrubbing, which are used to remove particulates from exhaust gasses. While these devices are effective to some degree in removing particulates and gasses from exhaust gas streams, stricter standards for exhaust emissions have created a need for more efficient pollution removal.

#Furthermore, many devices of the prior art include moving parts, e.g., dispersing wheels, fans, and the like, which contributes to the building and maintaining costs of the device. In addition, many have a specialized structure and can only be applied to certain exhaust or waste-gas systems and not to existing installations without extensive rebuilding.

#FIG. 1 is a simplified elevational cross-section of an apparatus of the invention.

#FIG. 2 is an elevational cross-section of another embodiment of the invention.

#FIG. 3 is a detail cross-section of the preheater assembly of FIG. 2.

#Referring to FIG. 1, an apparatus of the present invention 101 is placed over a source of exhaust gas (not shown), such as an incinerator, or the like, with the exhaust gas stream (shown by the solid stream arrows 102) entering gas inlet 103 from below and passing upwardly through the apparatus 101. Multiple sets of plates 104, each comprising a primary deflector plate 105 and a secondary deflector plate 107, are placed such that the gas stream passes between the primary deflector plates 105 and secondary deflector plates 107.

#A source of steam (not shown) communicates with steam jets 109, each of which direct a steam spray against a primary deflector plate 105. A portion of the spray is scattered or dispersed upon impingement on the primary deflector plate and is bounced, rebounded, ricochetted, or repelled toward the secondary deflector plate 107. The rebounded stream impinges upon the secondary deflector plate 107, which disperses steam from the rebounded spray.

#In the illustrated embodiment, the primary deflector plates 105 and the steam jets are mounted on a central pedestal 111, which also functions as a manifold and feed conduit for the steam jets 109. While any orientation can be used, preferably the central pedestal 111 is vertical with the primary deflector plates 105 mounted horizontally at their center. The secondary deflector plates 107 are mounted in horizontal planes essentially parallel to the primary deflector plates 105 and in a staggered relationship to the primary deflector plates 105, i.e., the positions along a vertical axis of the secondary plates 107 being between the positions of the primary plates 105. Preferably the staggered secondary deflector plates 107 are also equidistant along a vertical axis from the two adjoining primary deflector plates 105, which provides alignment for the proper rebounding of the steam spray 113 and provides a path for the gas stream between the deflector plates 105, 107.