Abatement of Fluorides by Fluidized Bed Reactor: Aspen Plus Simulation

There has been an enormous expansion in the use of fluorine compounds in agriculture and industry over the past decade. People are exposed to airborne fluorides because of air pollution caused by aluminum smelting, phosphatic fertilizer, petroleum refining, glass and semi-conductor chips manufacturing industries. Exposure to fluoride gas either in the form of direct contact or inhalation with the skin leads to serious health hazards. Fluorides can lead to serious health hazards even at very low concentrations. Industrial fluorides are mostly released in the form of Hydrogen Fluoride (HF), Sodium Fluoride (NaF) and Calcium Fluoride (CaF2).The most recent abatement technique for fluoride includes the Fluidized Bed method. This study focuses on Fluidized Bed Technology for the abatement of fluorides from gaseous effluents of aluminum industries using Red Mud which is itself a waste generated in the same industry. An Aspen Plus Simulation has also been performed to validate the experimental data as well as the simulation study that was performed will give an overall structure of the various hydrodynamics occurring inside the reactor which will further help in optimizing it.