Scrubbing slurries

Table I. Equilibria Present in Flue Gas Scrubbing Slurries for the Lime or Limestone Processes...

Calculation of Supersaturation Ratios of Flue Gas Scrubbing Slurries... 

The absorption of sulfur dioxide into flue gas scrubbing slurries is enhanced considerably because of the reactions of dissolved sulfur dioxide with various dissolved alkaline species. The alkaline species of interest are the following ions and ion-pairs OH-, SO", HCO-, CO--, MgS0°, MgC0°,... 

The most significant chemical equilibria present in flue gas scrubbing slurries are outlined. Expressions for temperature dependent equilibrium constants are presented that are suitable for the temperature ranges encountered in scrubbing applications. Expressions for activity coefficients of ions and ion-pairs are presented that are suitable for the ranges of ionii strengths encountered for this type of applications. 

Sulfur dioxide Li me/ limestone scrubbing Slurry of lime or limes tons in water... 

Organic acids increase SO2 removal efficimcy and produce other performance mhance-ments in a limestone FGD system by buffering the pH of the scrubbing slurry. Organic adds are used in relatively low concentrations, e.g., adipic acid is used in concentrations of 200-1,SOO ppm, DBA in concentrations of 200-2,000 ppm, and formate in concentrations of SOO to 5,000 ppm (Blythe et al., 1991 Moser and Owens, 1991). The concentrations of organic acids used in actual applications are often in the lower parts of the above ranges. Citric and acetic acids were used in the past however, their use is no longer common. 

The most popiilar dry scrubbing systems for incinerators have involved the spray drying of hme slurries, followed by dry coUection in electrostatic precipitators or fabric filters. Moller and Christiansen [Air Poll. Cout. Assoc. 84-9.5 (1984)] published data on early European technology. Moller et al. [U.S. Patent no. 4,889,698 (1989)] describe the newer extension of that technology to include both spray-dryer absorption and dry scrubbing with powdered, activated carbon injection. They claim greatly improved removal of mercury, dioxins, and NOx. 

Liquid-solid Slurry Suspension Aqueous effluent from fume scrubbing... 

Semidry Scrubbers The advantage of semidry scrubbers is in that they remove contaminants by way of a solid waste that is easier to dispose of (less expensive). Initially, the scrubbing medium is wet (such as a lime or soda ash slurry). Then a spray dryer is used to atomize the slurry into the gas which evaporates the water in the droplets. As this takes place, the acid in the gas neutralizes the alkali material and forms a fine white solid. Most of the white solids are removed at the bottom of the scrubber while some are carried into the gas stream and have to be removed by a filter or electrostatic precipitator (discussed later). Although semidry systems cost 5-15% more than wet systems, when combined with a fabric filter, they can achieve 90-95% efficiencies. Dry scrubbers are sometimes used in a very similar fashion, but without the help of gas-liquid-solid mass transfer, these systems use much higher amounts of the solid alkali materials. 

Ultimately, pollution can only be avoided by complete removal of SO2 from the effluent gases, but this council of perfection is both technologically and economically unattainable. Many processes are available to reduce the SO2 concentration to very low figures, but the vast scale of power generation and domestic heating by coal and oil still results in substantial emission. SO2 can be removed by scrubbing with a slurry of milk of lime , CafOH) . Alternatively, partial reduction to H2S using natural gas (CH4), naphtlia or coal, followed by catalytic conversion to elemental sulfur by the Claus process can be used ... 

Gas absorption, scrubbing desorption, stripping Humidification and water cooling Dehumidification and air conditioning Drying of solids, solutions/slurries... 

Liquid Liquid Liquid-gas Liquid-liquid Liquid-solid Solution Foam Emulsions Slurry Suspension Metal plating effluent spent acids wash-waters Detergent foam Oil-in-water (e.g. suds) water-in-oil Aqueous effluent from fume scrubbing... 

In the Boliden process, developed by Boliden Kemi Company in Sweden, filter beds containing amorphous selenium are used to filter the gases. Mercury in the gas is deposited in the filter as mercury selenide (HgSe). Alternatively, the gases can be scrubbed with a slurry of amorphous selenium, whereupon mercury is precipitated as HgSe. Activated carbon filters are also useful for absorbing mercury vapor from the gas. 

In wet scrubbing the dust is removed by counter-current washing with a liquid, usually water, and the solids are removed as a slurry. The principal mechanism involved is the impact (impingement) of the dust particles and the water droplets. Particle sizes down to 0.5 /i.m can be removed in suitably designed scrubbers. In addition to removing solids, wet scrubbers can be used to simultaneously cool the gas and neutralise any corrosive constituents. 

Water is used in the chrome pigment industry mainly to cool most of the equipment such as heat exchangers, generate steam in the boilers, make slurry of raw materials, scrub the reactor vent... 

Water is mainly used as noncontact cooling water, scrubbing water, and in the transportation of gypsum as slurry to the wastewater treatment facility. The water in the heat exchangers is used to... 

Generally, water is used in this plant to cool, leach, filter wash, scrub, heat, and washdown. The unreacted ore is slurred and sent, along with chromium and other impurities originally present in the ore, to the treatment plant. The boiler blowdown, which is sometimes contaminated with chromium escaping from the process area, adds to the volume of wastewater coming from the plant. The non-contact cooling water from the plant contains dissolved sulfate, chloride, and chromate thus it is sent to a wastewater treatment plant. The scrubber water may be used to slurry the ore or discharged. 

When viewing effluent treatment methods, it is clear that the basic problem of disposing safely of waste material is, in many cases, not so much solved but moved from one place to another. If a method of treatment can be used that allows material to be recycled, then the waste problem is truly solved. However, if the treatment simply concentrates the waste as concentrated liquid, slurry or solid in a form, which cannot be recycled, then it will still need to be disposed of. Landfill disposal of such waste is increasingly unacceptable and thermal oxidation causes pollution through products of combustion and liquors from scrubbing systems. The best method for dealing with effluent problems is to solve the problem at source by waste minimization, as will be discussed in Chapter 28. 

Cuprasol Also called EIC. A process for removing hydrogen sulfide and ammonia from geothermal steam by scrubbing with an aqueous solution of copper sulfate. The resulting copper sulfide slurry is oxidized with air, and the copper sulfate re-used. The sulfur is recovered as ammonium sulfate. Developed by the EIC Corporation, MA, and demonstrated by the Pacific Gas Electric Company at Geysers, CA, in 1979. 

Howden An early flue-gas desulfurization process using a lime or chalk slurry in wooden grid-packed towers. The calcium sulfate/sulfite waste product was intended for use in cement manufacture, but this was never commercialized. The key to the process was the use of a large excess of calcium sulfate in suspension in the scrubbing circuit, which minimized the deposition of scale on the equipment. The process was developed by Imperial Chemical Industries and James Howden Company in the 1930s and operated for several years at power stations at Fulham, London, and Tir John, South Wales, being finally abandoned during World War II. British Patents 420,539 433,039. 

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