Removal of fine particles from a gas stream by solid particle addition in venturi contactor

Claim 1

A process for removing finely divided solid particulate matter at high efficiency from a gas stream by interception and inertial impaction, comprising: (a) moving a gas stream containing finely divided solid or liquid particulate matter at a velocity of between 100 and 300 feet per second in a given direction through a tubular venturi contactor; (b) dispersing relatively larger solid collector particles into said gas stream at a negligible velocity in said given direction as said gas stream flows through said tubular venturi contactor, said collector particles being sufficiently large so as to cause said collector particles to capture said particulate matter by interception and inertial impaction and thereby form agglomerates consisting of said collector particles having said particulate matter adhered thereto, the amount of collector particles being dispersed selected such that the ratio of the flow rate of the collector particles to the flow rate of the gas is at least (0.001 gm/sec)/(cm 3 /sec); (c) maintaining the pressure drop across said tubular contactor to at least 9.3 cm water column; wherein said velocity of the gas stream, size of the collector particles, and ratio of flow rate of collector particles to flow rate of gas is further selected from the limitations set forth in (a), (b) and (c) above such that approximately 99% of the particulate matter in the gas stream is captured by said collector particles; and (d) removing said agglomerates from said gas stream.