Simultaneous removal of SO₂, NO and particulate by pilot-scale scrubber system

Abstract

SO _x and NO _x have both previously been identified as primary precursors of acid rain, and thus the abatement of SO _x and NO _x emissions constitutes a major target in the field of air pollution control. In this study, the efficacy of a pilot-scale scrubber was evaluated with regard to the simultaneous removal of SO₂, NO and particulate with wet catalysts. The removal efficiencies of particulate were measured to be 83, 92 and 97% with catalyst flux of 0.5, 0.8 and 1.5 L/min, respectively. The average removal efficiencies of particulate with different nozzles were approximately 94 and 90% with FF6.5 (5/8 in.) and 14 W (1.0 in.) nozzles, respectively. At least 96–98% of particulate and SO₂ were removed, regardless of the stage number of reactor. In a one-stage scrubber, 83.3% removal efficiency of NO was achieved after 48 hours; however, the two-stage scrubber achieved an NO removal efficiency of 95.7%. Regardless of the liquid-gas ratio, SO₂ and particulate were removed effectively, whereas NO was removed about 84% and 74% under liquid-gas ratio conditions of 39.32 L/m³ and 27.52 L/m³, respectively. In experiments using STS and P.P. pall ring as packing material, particulate and SO₂ removal efficiency values in excess of 98% were achieved; however, NO removal was correlated with the different packing materials tested in this study. With the above optimum operation conditions, even after 20 hours, the removal efficiency for NO stayed at 95% or higher, the removal efficiency for SO₂ stayed at 97% or higher, and the removal efficiency for particulate stayed at 92% or higher. In accordance, then, with the above results, it appears that this process might be utilized in scrubber systems, as well as systems designed to simultaneously remove particulate, SO₂ and NO from flue gas.