Case Study #1: Glass Furnace Exhaust for Container
and Flat Glass Manufacturing
Case Study #2: Glass Fiber Manufacturing Case Study #3: Fiber Optics Manufacturing
Case Study #4: Abrasives – and Other Non-Soluble PM2.5
and Submicron Particulate
Case Study #5: Coal and Solid Fuels Combustion
Case Study #6: Diesel Exhaust Emissions /
Locomotive Diesel Pollution
Case Study #2:
Glass Fiber Manufacturing
Mat Glass Forming Lines. Applications where conventional equipment struggles to attain
only marginal efficiency provide an opportunity for the Cloud Chamber Scrubber (CCS) to showcase
its unique capabilities. Fiber optics manufacturing is a typical example.
Following other successful applications in the glass industry, a pilot study to evaluate the performance
of a Cloud Chamber Scrubber (CCS) system was completed in the fall of 2005. The purpose of the study
was to evaluate the ability of the CCS to treat particulate emissions from the exhaust of two types of
fiberglass forming lines. One line used a formaldehyde-based phenolic resin binder; the other
produced wool for blowing applications and did not use a binder.
In addition to particulate removal, the CCS was evaluated for its ability to manage the large fibers
that are often entrained in this exhaust stream. The concern was that these fibers would cause
unacceptable maintenance issues in the recirculation system of the scrubber, such as clogging of
the spray nozzles and mist eliminators. Data from the pilot study has been used to develop a design
anticipated for use on several large industrial installations.
A third-party testing company was retained by the customer to source-test the inlet and outlet of the
CCS using EPA Method 5/202 for particulates and condensables. The proprietary results confirmed
to the glass company host that the CCS had superior performance over the conventional equipment
in use,and the pilot tests were deemed a very valuable exercise in preparation for new regulations
anticipated at existing locations and for new facilities in planning.
Tests conducted independently by Tri-Mer on the pilot unit showed that the CCS could remove
filterable and condensable particulates to concentrations less than 0.001 grains/dcf.
The CCS easily captures particles larger than 1 micron. The challenge is with the submicron
particulate that is the main source of opacity in the stack and the health hazard that is being
mitigated. Using a Dekati Mass Monitor (DMM 450) to analyze the submicron fraction of the
emission yielded the impressive results in Graphic 1 below. Results on the total emissions
distribution were even higher.
.
Glass Fiber Forming – Removal of Submicron Fraction (DMM Data) 
Graphic 1. Inlet and outlet results for just the submicron fraction of the fiberglass
forming line emissions. Results are for total particulate plus condensables. These levels of performance are well in excess of those currently required and even those
anticipated as regulations for PM 2.5 continue to become more restrictive.
Consistent with other glass industry applications, the evaluations also showed that the CCS
system could operate on a continuous basis with no reductions in performance or impacts to the
system that might be cause for concern in regards to long term commercial operations. Specifically,
the issue regarding the management of large fibrous particulates was shown to be acceptable in
terms of long term maintenance and without negative effect on capture of the submicron PM
and condensables.
Addendum:
Interest has been expressed in the particle size distribution as measured by the sophisticated
Dekati Mass Monitor (DMM), since this information is rarely available. Tri-Mer Corporation owns
one of the few industrial scale DMMs in the United States. The particle distribution below 1.5
microns is shown for the no-binder cases. Most were distributed around the 0.1 micron size range.
See Graphic 2 below.
Glass Fiber Inlet – Outlet Particle Distribution
Glass Fiber CCS Pilot Test; No Binder – DMM Measurements
Relative Load of Total Particulates < 1.5 Microns
Graphic 2. Size distribution of particles at inlet and outlet of the CCS. Centered at 0.1 micron,
this graph illustrates the effectiveness of the CCS in capturing submicron particles,
even those smaller than 0.1 micron.
Have a potential application? Tell Us About It . . .
We Can Help You with Some Guidelines.
For more information contact:
Kevin Moss (801) 294-5422
kevin.moss@tri-mer.com
CCS HOME / CCS NEWS / CLOUD CHAMBER SCRUBBER BULLETIN /
CCS or Fabric Filters / Baghouses? Considerations and Comparisons /
HISTORY / PILOT TESTING / CCS Q&A / CONTACT US / TRI-MER HOME
Tri-Mer Corporation
1400 Monroe Street
P.O. Box 730
Owosso, MI 48867; USA
Phone: (989) 723-7838
Fax: (989) 723-7844
salesdpt@tri-mer.com © Copyright 2007 Tri-Mer Corporation
Website designed by Marketing Services Inc. |
