TB 061 - Scrubber Systems

Question 1

What is a scrubber system?

Answer 1

Means whereby contaminated air from various in industrial processes are cleaned and dried before being exhausted into the atmosphere

Question 2

Where are contaminates that are recovered by scrubber system stored at?

Answer 2

At scene in either barrels or vats for reuse, neutralization and/or disposal

Question 3

Recognizing a scrubber system will tell you what?

Answer 3

Working above or around a vat or tanks that contain vaporizing emissions of a hazardous nature

Question 4

Scrubber systems may or may not be flammable but there certainly are what?

Answer 4

Health Hazard

Question 5

What are some chemicals that a system might be installed?

Answer 5

Corrosives
Ammonia
Sulfur Dioxide
Oxides of Nitrogen
Acid
Caustics
Alcohol Vapors

Question 6

Who is the Scrubbing system inspected by?

Answer 6

Air Quality Management District

Question 7

What is the scrubber system installed over?

Answer 7

Directly over vat or have duct work leading to scrubber

Question 8

What is fiberglass ducting used for?

Answer 8

Nonflammable corrosive vapors

Question 9

What are metal ducting used for?

Answer 9

Flammable vapors or particulars

Question 10

What will roof ducting show you?

Answer 10

Location of the hazard

Question 11

What is the process that scrubber systems use?

Answer 11

• Evacuates air
• Puts contaminated air through a washer unit
• Dries it before exhausting to the atmosphere

Question 12

With the exception of very large units, where would most units be located at?

Answer 12

On the roof

Very large systems, ground level, outside building, close to vaporizing emission process

Question 13

What are the 4 types of systems used?

Answer 13

WATER WASH - Particulate absorption, used for paint spraying operations
FILTRATION - Charcoal Absorption used for Vapor Removal
CHEMICAL NEUTRALIZATION - Chemical Absorption, used for Chlorine leaks etc.
THERMAL DESTRUCTION - Combustion Chambers used for Burning Hydrocarbons

Question 14

Finding scrubber systems during prefire planning or firefighting operations will alert firefighters to the what?

Answer 14

Possibility of greater than normal hazards in the air of smoke, if a fire should occur

Question 15

Many large systems are visible from the street, ventilation team will be first to discover, who should they communicate their findings too?

Answer 15

Immediately to IC

Question 16

When entering the building, we must be aware that personnel stand a chance of being exposed to hazardous or toxic substances as well as what?

Answer 16

Possibility of encountering hazardous waste stored in improperly marked drums