Fluid scrubbing apparatus

Abstract

In one aspect there is provided a fluid treatment system for treating a contaminated fluid having a gaseous contaminant mixed or dissolved in the liquid portion thereof. The system comprises a generally enclosed and substantially airtight container defining an interior volume. The container comprises an inlet to receive the contaminated fluid, a gas outlet to discharge any gaseous contaminant and a liquid outlet to discharge any liquid that may be separated from said contaminated fluid. During operations, the container is sealed to maintain a seal between the interior volume and any outside environment, so as to prevent the escape of any liquids and gasses out of the interior volume, except as may be provided for via the inlet, the gas outlet or the liquid outlet. Also during operations, a continuous headspace is maintained between the at least one inlet and the at least one gas outlet.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is being claimed are defined as follows: 
     
         1 . A fluid treatment system for treating a contaminated fluid having a gaseous contaminant mixed or dissolved in the liquid portion thereof, the system comprising:
 an enclosed container defining an interior volume;   the container further comprising:   at least one inlet to receive the contaminated fluid;   at least one gas outlet to discharge gaseous contaminants;   at least one liquid outlet to discharge any liquid that may be separated from said contaminated fluid;   wherein, during operations, the container is sealed to maintain a seal between the interior volume and any outside environment, so as to prevent the escape and/or movement of any liquids and gasses out of the interior volume, except as may be provided for via the inlet, the gas outlet or the liquid outlet;   wherein, during operations, a continuous headspace is maintained between the at least one inlet and the at least one gas outlet; and the system further comprising:   a gas scrubber to receive and remove gaseous contaminants exiting the said at least one gas outlet; and   a source of carrier gas;   wherein at least some of said carrier gas is premixed into the contaminated fluid prior to said contaminated fluid being received by said at least one inlet.   
     
     
         2 . The fluid treatment system of  claim 1  further comprising a venturi, to premix the carrier gas with the contaminated fluid. 
     
     
         3 . The fluid treatment system of  claim 1  wherein during operations, any liquids that are within the interior volume are kept at a liquid level that is below both the at least one inlet and the at least one gas outlet, so as to provide said continuous headspace within the interior volume between the at least one inlet and the at least one gas outlet. 
     
     
         4 . The fluid treatment system of  claim 3  wherein the headspace is kept to at least fifteen percent (15%) of the interior volume. 
     
     
         5 . The fluid treatment system of  claim 3  wherein the headspace is periodically purged with at least some of said carrier gas.