SO2 Scrubbers
Emerson valves and accessories provide vital and reliable functionality to SO2 Scrubbing systems while maximizing up-time.
Emerson valves and accessories provide vital and reliable functionality to SO2 Scrubbing systems while maximizing up-time.
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) scrubbing is a vital and required process that demands reliable, certified components. Emerson provides durable valve solutions for processes such as slurry spraying, re-circulation and sludge pumping. These solutions minimize downtime and maintenance in SO2 Scrubbing systems.
Emerson’s ASCO line is designed to meet scrubbing component requirements such as SIL 3 certification and ISO 9001:2000. These solutions come with a proven history of the highest service and reliability.
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) is a harmful by-product of power generation such as coal and fossil-fuel burning. Exhaust from incinerators and fossil-fuel power plants are required to pass through an SO2 Scrubber before entering the atmosphere. SO2 Scrubbing, also known as Flue-Gas Desulfurization (FGD), can remove 90-99% of SO2. SO2 Scrubbers are large vertical tanks that perform a series of processes on the exhaust.
After the flue gas enters the SO2 Scrubber, it is sprayed with a slurry of limestone and water as it rises in the tank. The calcium in the limestone chemically reacts with the SO2 to produce Calcium Sulfate, a harmless salt known as synthetic gypsum. Some scrubbers may use other chemicals such as magnesium oxide to react with the SO2 in the flue gas.
Once mixed with the slurry spray, the gas becomes a mist. Before it’s vented out of the scrubber and into the atmosphere, a mist elimination process removes entrained liquid droplets. This produces a steam vapor with minimal amounts of SO2 that is vented out to complete SO2 Scrubbing.
The resulting salt/gypsum from slurry spraying falls to the tank into a pool of water and forms a sludge. The sludge rests at the bottom of the pool and is pumped out. The gypsum in the sludge can be recycled to manufacture drywall and cement as well as for agricultural applications.
Pumps located on the outside of the SO2 Scrubber pull in water and remaining limestone from the pool at the bottom of the tank. It is then pumped to the top of the tank where it is added to the slurry spray. This process recirculates the water and limestone used in the system to reduce waste.
