Ammonia-Based Flue Gas Desulfurization Technology for Industrial Boiler SO2 Removal
Product Details
Ammonia-Based Flue Gas Desulfurization Technology for Industrial Boiler SO2 Removal
Overview
Ammonia-based flue gas desulfurization technology uses liquid ammonia or aqueous ammonia to remove sulfur dioxide (SO₂) from flue gas. The process simultaneously produces high-quality ammonium sulfate ((NH₄)₂SO₄) as a valuable byproduct. This technology is particularly well-suited for large coal-fired power plants and chemical facilities burning inexpensive high-sulfur fuels. While using ammonia that may otherwise be waste, the process generates high-grade, high-purity ammonium sulfate. This approach is increasingly becoming the mainstream technology for cyclic economy comprehensive utilization in large-scale flue gas desulfurization projects.
Process Characteristics
- Mature Technology: Demonstrated on flue gas volumes from 500 MW class units.
- Scale Resistance: The absorber tower does not suffer from scale formation.
- Wide Fuel Sulfur Adaptability: Suitable for high-sulfur coal, high-sulfur heavy oil, and high-sulfur petroleum coke. No secondary pollution.
- Valuable Byproduct: Ammonium sulfate has wide application as fertilizer.
- Low Ammonia Slip: NH₃ slip is less than or equal to 10 ppm.
- High Removal Efficiency: Easily achieves high SO₂ removal efficiency, typically greater than 95 percent.
- Simple System Design: Fewer process steps compared to some other technologies.
- Compact Equipment: Smaller equipment footprint than some alternatives.
- High Absorbent Utilization: Efficient use of ammonia reagent.
- Waste-to-Value: Sale of the ammonium sulfate byproduct provides good economic returns.
Application Range
The ammonia-based FGD process is suitable for the following applications:
- Medium to large new or retrofit units, typically 50 MW and larger
- Coal gasification plants requiring sulfur removal from synthesis gas
- Fuel sulfur content of 0.5 to 5 percent or higher
- Petroleum refining process streams requiring sulfur removal
- Required SO₂ removal efficiency of 95 percent or greater
- Locations near fertilizer plants that produce synthetic ammonia (providing a stable ammonia supply and ammonium sulfate off-take)
- Power plants in saline or alkali soil regions where ammonium sulfate fertilizer is particularly valuable
