Simulation of SO2 absorption and performance enhancement of wet flue gas desulfurization system

At the present moment wet flue gas desulfurization systems (WFGD) are widely used in the SO2 emitting industries. With the improvement of the SO2 emission standards and the use of fuel with high sulfur content, there is an urgent need to develop advanced modelling tools to explore the enhancing method of SO2 absorption process on the condition of flue gas with high SO2 concentration. In this study, a detailed mathematical model of tray scrubbers, which are adopted in several China's power plants in order to treat SO2 rich flue gas, is developed to investigate the influencing factors of the SO2 absorption process. The model is validated by an experiment using pilot-scale WFGD experimental system and can describe the SO2 absorption process in WFGD to a satisfactory level. The influence factors of SO2 absorption of droplets and in spray tower are studied through the model. The effects of pH and tray on desulfurization efficiency are analyzed. Using the tray scrubber is better in order to realize the desulfurization of flue gas with high SO2 concentration rather than adjusting the pH of the slurry. This model can be regarded as a useful tool for equipment selection and operation optimization of WFGD system. (c) 2021 Institution of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The importance of wet flue gas desulfurization systems in treating high SO2 concentration flue gas is discussed in this study. The influencing factors of SO2 absorption process in tray scrubbers are investigated, indicating that using tray scrubbers is more suitable for desulfurizing high SO2 concentration flue gas compared to adjusting pH values.