Toluene removal by electro-scrubbing was carried out in facilities that operate in continuous mode, comparing the performance of packed column and jet electroscrubber systems, both in terms of retention in the absorbent and electrochemical degradation. It was found that about half of the toluene carried by the air flow is retained only by absorption. The packed column electro-scrubber showed better performance in electrochemical degradation, while the jet mixing device showed the highest

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... rations of toluene retained in the electrolyte/absorbent, reaching levels of supersaturation. The flow rate of the gas stream has a great influence on the efficiency of the electro-scrubbing system: the column appears to be more efficient at lower flow rates while the jet scrubber works better at higher flow rates. Entrained species of the industrial solvent were detected (2-methylphenol and 4-methylphenol, J o u r n a l P r e -p r o o f principally) that were efficiently degraded. Benzaldehyde and benzoic acids were detected as intermediates. Highlights  Jet scrubber and packed column devices allow efficient electro-scrubbing of toluene.  Higher efficiency of packed column than the jet-scrubber system at low flow rates.  The jet scrubber has a higher capacity to concentrate toluene in the absorbent.  Other impurities found in the real toluene effluents were also efficiently degraded. J o u r n a l P r e -p r o o f