Acid storage tanks, pickling lines, chlorination rooms and chemical reactors all release corrosive fumes — hydrochloric acid vapour, chlorine and acid mists. Left untreated, these fumes corrode steel structures and electrical equipment, harm workers’ health and can breach environmental rules. A fume scrubber captures them before they reach the atmosphere, and FRP is the material of choice for building one.
How a Fume Scrubber Works
A wet packed-bed scrubber is a vertical tower filled with packing media. The working principle is simple:
- A blower draws fume-laden air from tank vents, hoods or process equipment through ducting into the bottom of the tower.
- The air rises through the packing, which provides a large wetted surface area.
- Scrubbing liquid — water, or a dilute alkaline solution for acid fumes — is sprayed from nozzles at the top and trickles down over the packing.
- The fumes dissolve into or react with the liquid, which drains to a sump and is recirculated by a pump or bled off for treatment.
- Clean air leaves through the outlet at the top, often after a mist eliminator removes droplets.
Why Build Scrubbers from FRP?
- Corrosion-proof: Every wetted part handles acid fumes and scrubbing liquid continuously — steel would fail quickly.
- Lightweight: Tall towers can be mounted on rooftops and light structures.
- One material for the whole system: Tower, ducts, blower casing and impeller, pipework and tanks can all be FRP with a matched resin.
- Custom sizing: Towers are built to the exact airflow and space available.
Components of a Complete FRP Scrubber System
Our HCl vapour absorber systems typically include:
| Component | Typical specification |
|---|---|
| Absorber tower | FRP vertical packed tower, vinyl ester lined, custom height |
| Packing | Ceramic or PVC rings on an FRP grid plate |
| Spray system | FRP nozzle headers with PVC spray nozzles |
| FRP centrifugal blower | 500 – 30,000 m³/hr, up to 2,500 Pa, 1.5 – 45 kW, FRP impeller and housing |
| Recirculation pump | Chemical-resistant pump (e.g. PPH/FEP construction) |
| Ducting and pipework | FRP or PVC+FRP composite |
| Valves | Diaphragm, ball and needle valves in PVC/FRP |
Full details are in our technical datasheets.
Sizing a Scrubber: What We Need to Know
- The fumes to be treated (HCl, chlorine, sulphuric acid mist, etc.)
- Airflow to be extracted (m³/hr) — from tank vents, hoods or enclosures
- Expected fume concentration and temperature
- Available space, height limits and power supply
- Where the scrubbing liquid will be drained or treated
Where FRP Scrubbers Are Used
- Hydrochloric acid storage and unloading areas — see HCl storage tanks
- Steel pickling and galvanising lines
- Chlorination rooms and sodium hypochlorite plants
- Chemical, fertilizer and textile processing plants
- Laboratories and battery plants
Maintenance Tips
- Check spray nozzles regularly for blockages — dry packing stops scrubbing.
- Monitor the pH or strength of the recirculating liquid and replace or neutralise it on schedule.
- Inspect packing for fouling or crushing, and the blower for vibration.
- Keep ducts free of leaks so fumes are captured at the source.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a fume scrubber and a fume extractor?
A fume extractor only moves contaminated air; a scrubber also cleans it before release.
Can a scrubber handle chlorine gas?
Yes, with a suitable alkaline scrubbing solution and vinyl ester construction. Our FRP blowers are designed for HCl fumes, hypochlorite vapour and chlorine.
Do you supply the blower and ducting as well?
Yes. We manufacture FRP centrifugal blowers in-house, along with ducting, tanks and pipework for the complete system.
Get a Quote from Global Fiberglass
Global Fiberglass Company has been manufacturing FRP/GRP tanks, pipes, chemical plant equipment and infrastructure products in Faisalabad since 1978, with delivery across Pakistan. Share your requirement — the product, size, chemical or application, and site location — and our engineers will recommend the right design.
- Phone / WhatsApp: +92-320-640-7732
- Email: sale@globalfiberglass.pk
- Online: Request a free quote or download our technical datasheets
