Abstract

A pollution control system for reducing the presence of fine aerosol particles in stack gases from the manufacture of glass fiber wool-type products. After larger particles are removed from the forming fan gas, the gas is fed into a centrifugal fan and massive quantities of water are injected into the fan intake. The aerosol particles are agglomerated by impact with the airborne water droplets and the wet surfaces of the fan. The larger, coalesced or agglomerated particles are more readily susceptible to inertia-type separation from the air by either the action of the fan or in a later separation operation. It has been found that 1.5 or more gallons per minute (gpm) of injected water per thousand standard cubic feet per minute (scfm) of forming gas passing through each fan is effective to remove more than 40% of the fine, aerosol particles introduced into the fan and even larger amounts of water remove greater amounts of such particles. Further, the recirculating process water can be utilized, reducing or eliminating the consumption of fresh water and maintaining the normal process water system of the manufacturing operation.