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 SO 2 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 SO 2
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 (CaCO 3), 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 SO 2 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 SO 2
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 SO 2 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.