SULPHUR DIOXIDE SO2

This is a compound that is produced as part of the emissions after combustion of sulphur
containing fuels.
EQUIPMENT
Flue gas desulfurization (FGD) technique of a wet scrubber using regenerable (recovery)
processes
Removing SO2 from flue gas is most often accomplished in a wet scrubber where the flue gas
is contacted with an aqueous slurry of lime or limestone. Reactions between the lime or
limestone and the SO2 produce a calcium salt waste product. Also circulating a sodium-based
compound through a scrubber will also reduce SO2 emissions. Effluent from the scrubber is
then mixed with lime or limestone to produce a calcium-Sulphur waste product. Injecting a
calcium-based sorbent such as lime into the flue-gas steam is also an effective technique for
reducing SO2 emissions. Methods such as spray absorption, spray drying, or semi-wet
scrubbing produce a dry waste product that is collected along with the PM. Removing SO2
dispersed in flue gas can be accomplished by various advanced FGD techniques. Resulting
sulphur compounds that have value include gypsum (wallboard), Sulphur, and sulfuric acid.
One approach involves categorizing the various flue gas desulfurization (FGD) techniques into
non-regenerable (throwaway) and regenerable (recovery) processes. For this discussion, will
choose a regenerable processes to recover the SO2 in some commercially useful form such as
elemental sulphur or sulphuric acid. Although the various FGD techniques are distinctively
different in their implementation, they all involve chemical reactions that transform gaseous
SO2 into a liquid or solid sulphur-bearing compound. Flue-gas scrubbers that effectively reduce
SO2 emissions are often described as complex chemical plants.
Lime or limestone wet scrubbing is a very common FGD technique. In these systems, flue gas
is contacted with an aqueous slurry of either lime or limestone in a counter current absorber,
or scrubber, which is located after the PM collection system. Inside the scrubber, the lime
(CaO) or limestone, which is predominantly calcium carbonate (CaCO3), reacts with SO2 to
form calcium salts. To sustain this reaction, fresh slurry must be continuously introduced as
the calcium salts are removed for processing and disposal. Regenerable FGD processes
typically involve an expensive and complex system for producing marketable sulphur or
sulfuric acid instead of valueless sulphur-bearing waste. Although SO2 removal efficiency is
generally greater than 90%, application of regenerable FGD is limited.
The processes are generally energy intensive and involve hazardous and potentially toxic gases
that are not routinely associated with boiler operations. Advanced features in the design of
these projects demonstrated effective SO2 absorption and the successful conversion of SO2 to
wall-board-grade gypsum. Other regenerable FGD processes involve magnesium oxide FGD,
sodium sulfide FGD, and active-carbon absorption. The configuration of one type of wet
scrubber is shown in figure below:
Configuration of wet scrubber
EQUIPMENT JUSTIFICATION
Several wet FGD systems are in commercial use with SO2 removal efficiencies as high as 98%.
The wet scrubber demonstrated effective SO2 absorption and the successful conversion of SO2
to other compounds which may be usual such as sulphuric acid.