In-Furnace Sulfur Capture by Co-Firing Coal With Alkali-Based Sorbents

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emad Rokni ◽  
Hsun Hsien Chi ◽  
Yiannis A. Levendis

Over the last quarter of a century, since the 1990 US Clean Air Act Amendments were enacted the gaseous sulfur emission, in the form of sulfur dioxide, have been reduced [1] by a factor of 4, by switching to lower sulfur content coals, installation of flue gas desulfurization (FGD) sorbents or switching altogether to natural gas as a fuel. Penetration of alternative energy generation also has had a positive impact. However, current emissions of sulfur dioxide are still voluminous, amounting to 3,242,000 short tons annually in the USA [2]. As wet flue gas desulfurization is both real-estate- and capital-intensive, infurnace dry sorbent injection has been considered over the years to be a viable alternative. However there is still uncertainty on the best selection of the sorbents for particular coals and furnace operating conditions. This is particularly the case when it is economically attractive for the power-plant operator to burn locally-sourced high-sulfur coal, such as the case of Illinois bituminous coals. This manuscript presents experimental results on the reduction of sulfur oxide emissions from combustion of a high-sulfur content pulverized bituminous coal (Illinois #6 Macoupin). The coal particles were in the size range of 90–125 μm and were blended with dry calcium-, sodium-, potassium-, and magnesium-containing powdered sorbents at different proportions. The alkali/S molar ratios were chosen to be at stoichiometric proportions (Ca/S = 1, Mg/S = 1, Na2/S = 2, and K2/S = 2) and the effectiveness of each alkali or alkali earth based sorbent was evaluated separately. Combustion of coal took place in a drop-tube furnace, electrically-heated to 1400 K under fuel-lean conditions. The evolution of combustion effluent gases, such as NOx, SO2 and CO2 were monitored and compared among the different sorbent cases. The use of these sorbents helps to resolve the potential of different alkali metals for effective in-furnace sulfur oxide capture and possible NOx reduction. It also assesses the effectiveness of various chemical compounds of the alkalis, such as oxides, carbonates, peroxides and acetates.

2017 ◽  
Vol 139 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emad Rokni ◽  
Hsun Hsein Chi ◽  
Yiannis A. Levendis

This manuscript presents experimental results on the reduction of sulfur oxide emissions from combustion of a high-sulfur content pulverized bituminous coal (Illinois #6 Macoupin) using a dry sorbent injection method. The coal particles were in the size range of 90–125 μm and were blended with calcium-, sodium-, potassium-, and magnesium-containing powdered sorbents at different proportions. The alkali/sulfur molar ratios were chosen to correspond to stoichiometric proportions (Ca/S = 1, Mg/S = 1, Na2/S = 1, and K2/S = 1) and the effectiveness of each alkali or alkali earth based sorbent was evaluated separately. Combustion of coal took place in a drop-tube furnace, electrically heated to 1400 K under fuel-lean conditions. The evolution of combustion effluent gases, such as NOx, SO2, and CO2 was monitored and compared among the different sorbent cases. The use of these sorbents helps to resolve the potential of different alkali metals for effective in-furnace sulfur oxide capture and possible NOx reduction. It also assesses the effectiveness of various chemical compounds of the alkalis, such as oxides, carbonates, peroxides, and acetates. Reductions in SO2 emissions were in the range of 5–72%, with sodium being the most effective metal followed by potassium, calcium, and then magnesium. Acetates were effective as dual SO2 and NOx reduction agents.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (15) ◽  
pp. 3085
Author(s):  
Kyle McGaughy ◽  
Jay P. Wilhelm ◽  
M. Toufiq Reza

Ion selective electrodes (ISE) were evaluated for use in a flue gas desulfurization (FGD) wastewater monitoring system. Calcium, chloride, nitrate, and nitrite ISE’s were calibrated in a broad range of concentrations that were designed to model an actual FGD wastewater sample that was obtained from an industrial partner. Ideal Nernst, Modified Nernst, and a multiparameter regression analysis was performed for each electrode and evaluated on general fit and sensitivity at anticipated operating conditions. The Ideal Nernst equation, even with correction for ionic strength, was not able to properly model actual electrode performance. The multiparameter regression was able to model the electrode performance with relative errors of 10–25% when ionic strengths were below 0.1 M. Through the evaluation of real-time sensor usage at real conditions, a methodology of washing and sampling rate is suggested to minimize error in the readings.


2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ghulam Moeen Uddin ◽  
Syed Muhammad Arafat ◽  
Waqar Muhammad Ashraf ◽  
Muhammad Asim ◽  
Muhammad Mahmood Aslam Bhutta ◽  
...  

Abstract The emissions from coal power plants have serious implication on the environment protection, and there is an increasing effort around the globe to control these emissions by the flue gas cleaning technologies. This research was carried out on the limestone forced oxidation (LSFO) flue gas desulfurization (FGD) system installed at the 2*660 MW supercritical coal-fired power plant. Nine input variables of the FGD system: pH, inlet sulfur dioxide (SO2), inlet temperature, inlet nitrogen oxide (NOx), inlet O2, oxidation air, absorber slurry density, inlet humidity, and inlet dust were used for the development of effective neural network process models for a comprehensive emission analysis constituting outlet SO2, outlet Hg, outlet NOx, and outlet dust emissions from the LSFO FGD system. Monte Carlo experiments were conducted on the artificial neural network process models to investigate the relationships between the input control variables and output variables. Accordingly, optimum operating ranges of all input control variables were recommended. Operating the LSFO FGD system under optimum conditions, nearly 35% and 24% reduction in SO2 emissions are possible at inlet SO2 values of 1500 mg/m3 and 1800 mg/m3, respectively, as compared to general operating conditions. Similarly, nearly 42% and 28% reduction in Hg emissions are possible at inlet SO2 values of 1500 mg/m3 and 1800 mg/m3, respectively, as compared to general operating conditions. The findings are useful for minimizing the emissions from coal power plants and the development of optimum operating strategies for the LSFO FGD system.


Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (22) ◽  
pp. 5917 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nguyen Van Duc Long ◽  
Dong Young Lee ◽  
Kim Myung Jin ◽  
Kwag Choongyong ◽  
Lee Young Mok ◽  
...  

Seawater flue gas desulfurization (SWFGD) is considered to be a viable solution for coastal and naval applications; however, this process has several drawbacks, including its corrosive absorbent; low vapor loading capacity since the solubility of sulfur oxides (SOx) in seawater is lower than that of limestone used in conventional methods; high seawater flowrate; and large equipment size. This has prompted process industries to search for possible advanced and intensified configurations to enhance the performance of SWFGD processes to attain a higher vapor loading capacity, lower seawater flowrate, and smaller equipment size. This paper presents an overview of new developments as well as advanced and intensified configurations of SWFGD processes via process modifications such as modification and optimization of operating conditions, improvement of spray and vapor distributors, adding internal columns, using square or rectangular shape, using a pre-scrubber, multiple scrubber feed; process integration such as combined treatment of SOx and other gases, and waste heat recovery; and process intensification such as the use of electrified sprays, swirling gas flow, and rotating packed beds. A summary of the industrial applications, engineering issues, environmental impacts, challenges, and perspectives on the research and development of advanced and intensified SWFGD processes is presented.


Author(s):  
Shengyu Liu ◽  
Wende Xiao

A new wet FGD process in which sulfur dioxide was absorbed in the bubble reactor using granular limestone simultaneously adding acetic acid had been proposed. The main difference compared to conventional wet FGD process was the ability of the new process to utilize granular limestone directly as a desulphurization reagent simultaneously adding acetic acid. Thus, the pulverizing of limestone, which causes power consumption, can be saved. Only using granular limestone directly as absorbent without acetic acid, SO2 removal efficiency and limestone utilization were too low. Adding some concentration of acetic acid, the performance of the new wet FGD process was confirmed to be equal to or higher than that of a conventional process in various tests. Various parameters of the new FGD process which would affect the sulfur dioxide removal efficiency and limestone utilization were studied.


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