Mitigation of HF aerosol by water sprays

As a result, a test program was conducted in a flow chamber to assess the effectiveness of water spray in mitigating releases of hydrogen fluoride (HF). Bench scale experiments identified key variables for testing in a larger facility. The larger scale field tests demonstrated that HF releases can be mitigated with water, and also quantified the impact of numerous design variables on mitigation effectiveness. HF removal efficiencies of 25-90% were demonstrated at water to HF liquid ratios of 6:1 to 40:1. The mitigation of accidental releases of HF has become the focus of much public and regulatory attention over recent years. Despite its excellent safety record in the use of HF in alkylation, the petroleum industry has come under increasing pressure from environmental groups and regulatory authorities to reduce or eliminate the use of HF. In an effort to increase the understanding of how to mitigate any accidental releases of HF, a group of 20 petroleum and chemical companies set up an ad hoc committee in late 1987, the Industry cooperative HF Mitigation/Assessment Program (ICHMAP)