TasteTech Ltd
Venturi Scrubber and Packed Tower System for Food Flavour Manufacturing in Bristol
Project Overview
ERG Air Pollution Control supplied a skid-mounted particulate and odour scrubbing package for TasteTech Ltd, a food flavour manufacturer based in Bristol, UK.
Delivered in 2019, the system was designed for the treatment of exhaust air from a spray dryer vent, combining a Venturi scrubber with a PVC/GRP packed tower scrubber and associated chemical dosing equipment.
The package incorporated a fan, caustic and bleach dosing systems, a recirculation pump, pipework and instrumentation, assembled as an integrated skid-mounted treatment system.
The project demonstrates ERG’s experience in providing compact, engineered air pollution control solutions for specialist food manufacturing processes where particulate emissions and odours require treatment.
The Challenge – Spray Dryer Exhaust Treatment
Spray drying is used in food and flavour manufacturing to convert liquid formulations into powdered products by bringing them into contact with heated air.
The resulting exhaust stream can contain fine particulate matter and odorous compounds associated with the ingredients and manufacturing process.
For TasteTech’s Bristol facility, the application required a treatment system capable of addressing both particulate and odour emissions from a spray dryer vent.
These contaminants present different treatment requirements. Particulate matter must be separated from the moving gas stream, while suitable odorous gaseous compounds can be treated through absorption and chemical reaction in a wet scrubbing system.
The solution therefore needed to combine complementary treatment technologies within a practical equipment arrangement.
The original project record does not specify the exhaust airflow, individual contaminants, inlet concentrations or required outlet emission limits.
ERG’s Solution – Venturi Scrubbing and Chemical Odour Treatment
ERG supplied a skid-mounted system incorporating two wet scrubbing technologies.
Venturi Scrubber – Particulate Treatment
The Venturi scrubber provides intensive contact between the incoming exhaust gas and scrubbing liquid.
As the gas passes through the restricted Venturi throat, its velocity increases, promoting interaction between suspended particles and liquid droplets.
Particles can become entrained in the liquid, allowing their subsequent separation from the gas stream.
Venturi scrubbers are widely used for industrial particulate control, including applications involving fine dusts and process-generated aerosols.
PVC/GRP Packed Tower – Odour Treatment
The package also incorporated a packed tower scrubber constructed using PVC/GRP materials.
Packed tower scrubbers use internal packing to provide a large contact surface between the gas and circulating scrubbing liquid.
Suitable soluble gaseous contaminants transfer into the liquid phase, where chemical treatment can assist their removal.
The TasteTech package included caustic and bleach dosing equipment, allowing chemical reagents to be introduced into the scrubbing process.
Caustic dosing can support neutralisation of suitable acidic contaminants and control of scrubbing liquid pH, while bleach can provide oxidation of certain odorous compounds under appropriately controlled conditions.
The specific odorous substances targeted by the TasteTech installation are not identified in the original case sheet.
Skid-Mounted Equipment Arrangement
The treatment equipment was supplied as a skid-mounted assembly, bringing together the principal process components within an integrated package.
This arrangement provides a practical solution where equipment needs to be accommodated within an existing industrial facility.
The associated recirculation pump, pipework and instrumentation support movement and management of the scrubbing liquid.
A fan was also included to provide gas movement through the treatment arrangement.
By combining particulate scrubbing and chemical odour treatment, the system addresses two distinct exhaust treatment requirements within a single engineered package.
Equipment Supplied
ERG’s documented equipment scope included:
Venturi scrubber and fan: For particulate treatment and gas movement.
PVC/GRP packed tower scrubber: For wet chemical treatment of odorous exhaust gases.
Caustic and bleach dosing package: For chemical addition to the scrubbing process.
Recirculation pump: Supporting circulation of the scrubbing liquid.
Pipework and instrumentation: Connecting and supporting the treatment equipment.
Skid assembly: Integrating the equipment into a packaged system.
Project Specifications
| Parameter | Project detail |
|---|---|
| Client | TasteTech Ltd |
| Site | Bristol, UK |
| Industry | Food flavour manufacturing |
| Application | Spray dryer vent treatment |
| Treatment requirements | Particulate and odour scrubbing |
| Primary technology | Venturi scrubber |
| Secondary technology | PVC/GRP packed tower scrubber |
| Chemical treatment | Caustic and bleach dosing |
| Additional equipment | Fan, recirculation pump, pipework and instrumentation |
| Configuration | Skid-mounted package |
| Year delivered | 2019 |
Air Pollution Control for Food Manufacturing
Food manufacturing processes can generate a combination of particulate and odorous emissions requiring specialist treatment.
Spray drying, ingredient processing and other thermal manufacturing operations may produce exhaust streams containing fine powders, aerosols and volatile odorous compounds.
Where multiple contaminant types are present, combining particulate removal and wet chemical scrubbing can provide an effective treatment approach.
The appropriate equipment configuration depends on the exhaust composition, operating temperature, airflow, particulate loading and odour control requirements.
The TasteTech installation illustrates how Venturi scrubbing and packed tower technology can be integrated into a compact treatment package for a specialist food production application.
ERG’s Experience in Industrial Exhaust Treatment
ERG Air Pollution Control designs and supplies engineered wet scrubbing systems for industrial applications involving particulate emissions, acidic gases and odorous compounds.
Its technologies include Venturi scrubbers, packed tower scrubbers and associated chemical dosing and process equipment.
The TasteTech project demonstrates ERG’s capability to combine complementary wet scrubbing technologies within a skid-mounted package suitable for industrial manufacturing environments.
Delivered in 2019, the installation forms part of ERG’s portfolio of specialist industrial air pollution control projects.
For further information about Venturi scrubbers, packed tower scrubbers or odour control systems for food manufacturing, contact ERG Air Pollution Control.
