Metal finishing Q&As since 1989

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HCl Acid Fume Production in Pickle Line

Does anyone have any information on how much fume is produced by HCl pretreatment tanks given bath concentration, as well as operating and ambient temperatures? I am trying to figure how much air needs to be pulled through a scrubber. I would like to know what the equations are for future reference. Can anybody help? Thank you in advance.

Mitch Petersen
Engineer - Tulsa, Oklahoma
March 10, 2008

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First of three simultaneous responses --

The following link should be able to answer most of your questions.Be advised that it is less about how much is generated and more about the velocity of the exhausting gas at the location of generation so that the bad vapors can be scavenged to the scrubber.

www.engineeringtoolbox.com/ventilation-systems-t_37.html

Kurt Sammons
- Inman, South Carolina
March 14, 2008

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Second of three simultaneous responses --

Hi Mitch,

There is a tome, a book of knowledge which will tell you what the flow rate should be. It's a U.S. book compiled by engineers ... and if it errs, then it's on the + side.

HCl scrubbing? Two methods. One by the old fashioned mass transfer scrubbers and secondly by advanced mist elimination technology.

Cheers Freeman N., retired inertial scrubber designer.

Freeman Newton [deceased]
(It is our sad duty to advise that Freeman passed away
April 21, 2012. R.I.P. old friend).
March 14, 2008

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Third of three simultaneous responses -- March 14, 2008

They are wild estimations as you can not include every possible combination of events.. Get an old copy of the Metal Finishing Guidebook, back several years, when it had a section on exhaust that had many factors and range of factors given. Next, I would try to get an extract from Metal Finishing magazine.
I doubt if you want to spend the big bucks on the Ventilation book.

James Watts
- Navarre, Florida

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March 17, 2008

OSHA has guidelines for the ventilation of open surface tanks. Any fume scrubber manufacturer can recommend the CFM exhaust recommended for your application if they know your tank dimensions, acid strength and temperature.

Most people use a push-pull exhaust system for HCl fumes.

Lyle Kirman
consultant - Cleveland Heights, Ohio