Hydrodynamic and mass transfer in a Reverse Jet Scrubber: Models development and experimental validation

Reverse jet scrubbers (RJS) are emerging as compact, multifunctional gas–liquid contactors capable of simultaneous quenching, particulate removal, and chemical absorption. However, despite their industrial relevance, the hydrodynamic behavior and mass transfer characteristics of RJS remain insufficiently characterized in the relevant literature. This study presents an extensive experimental investigation of a pilot-scale RJS unit operated under a wide range of flow conditions. Flow regimes, turbulence effects, and gas–liquid mass transfer were examined. Volatile organic compounds with differing solubilities were employed to decouple phase-specific mass transfer resistances. Based on the collected data, both semi-empirical and mechanistic correlations were developed to predict jet height and mass transfer coefficients. The results of the study offer understanding into the performance and design of RJS systems, thereby establishing the first experimentally validated framework for modeling mass transfer in reverse jet configurations. These findings contribute to the advancement of intensified wet scrubber technologies and support broader industrial adoption of RJS units.