3 replies to this topic

[chem101]

Hi you all:

Is there any difference between Scrubber and two phase Separator? In my opinion i don't see any difference. Please explain if i am wrong?

Thank you very much for your help
khan

[Zauberberg]

It is a matter of terminology, and it's not so important as long as you know what are you speaking about in any particular situation.

For example, when used in compressor applications, suction scrubber refers to a common two-phase separator used to remove liquid from gas/vapor upstream of the compressor suction. When the same term is used in acid gas removal applications, it refers to the absorber containing trays and/or packing where sour gas is in counter-current contact with the solvent/amine. The term is probably not universal or very much convenient, but it is up to you to make the picture 100% clear in each and every case when you are dealing with the term "scrubber".

[Art Montemayor]

Khan:

Discard the term "scrubber" from your vocabulary. It is a total misnomer. There is no "scrubbing" applied or taking place. It is a word mis-applied in ignorance by persons who lacked any knowledge or concept of Unit Operations. I also pondered, like you, where the word came from and what was its meaning -after 5 years into being a Chemical Engineer. I found its origin in the field production of oil and gas here in the USA. It is a term born in the "oil patch" and adopted by the people running field operations back in the 1930s and 1940s. In those times there were few engineers out in the field and the people who got the job done had little education in engineering. They did the best they could with what they had and invented a lot of their own terminology. Another similar term from the oil patch is "KO Drum". A lot of these terms and words still persist through tradition.

The correct generic term is SEPARATOR. The more accurate and specific term is vapor-liquid separator.

[chem101]

Thank you very much Mr. Art and Mr. Zauberberg
I really appreciate your help and explanation of other engineering process, terminology for young engineers.