3/31/2018 Wet Calcite Flue Gas Desulphurisation Process - Šoštanj Thermal Power Plant

WET CALCITE FLUE GAS DESULPHURISATION PROCESS PRESENTATION

Blok 6
PRODUCTION
Technical Schematics of the
The technology for the elimination of sulphur dioxides from flue gasses has
Generating Units
been available for more than twenty years. For large thermo-energetic Boilers
complexes the wet calcite process has become the method of choice. The Gas Desulphurisation
great advantage of this process is its high efficiency (up to 95%) and the Wet Calcite Flue Gas
cheap absorption material, ground limestone (CaCO3). The product of the Desulphurisation Process
Environmental data Desulphurization facility for Unit
desulphurisation of the flue gasses is gypsum (CaSO4 X 2H2O), which does
4
not present an environmental hazard and can be, if adequately processed,
Desulphurization facility for Unit
used in construction.
5

Wet Calcite Flue Gas Desulphurisation Process Steam Turbines

Electrical Installations
The process is based on the absorption of the sulphur dioxide from the flue
gasses into the suspension, where it bonds with the calcite to form a stable
Common Installations
News product (gypsum). The neutralisation material is calcite. The differences of ENVIRONMENTAL
RESPONSIBILITY
the partial pressures of SO2 in the flue gas and the fluid cause the SO2 to
enter the suspension spray, where it hydrates producing sulphuric acid which MATERIALS AND
PUBLICATIONS
breaks down very rapidly.
CONTACTS
SO2 (g) → SO2 (aq) PRESS CENTRE
SO2 (aq) + H2O → H2SO3 ASK US
H2SO3 → H+ + HSO3ˉ PUBLIC PROCUREMENT
HSO3ˉ → H+ + SO3²ˉ

In melting down the limestone (CaCO3), the hydrogen ions are neutralized,
carbon acid is produced which breaks down into water and carbon dioxide,
and the latter leaves the liquid phase and is exhausted along with the flue
gasses.

CaCO3 ((aq) + H+ → Ca2+ + HCO3ˉ

HCO3ˉ + H+ → H2O + CO2

The excess of calcium ions in the suspension reacts with the hydrogen-
sulphite and sulphite ions that are products of the disproportionation of the
sulphuric acid. The thus produced sulphite ions oxidise into sulphate ions in
the absorber, with the oxygen present in the flue gasses, and with an
intensive supply of air and mixing of the suspension in the reaction chamber.

CaCO3 + 2H+ + 2HSO3ˉ → Ca(HSO3)2 + H2O + CO2

Ca(HCO3)2+ + 2H+ + SO3²ˉ → CaSO3 × 1/2H2O + 3/2H2O + 2CO2

CaSO3 × 1/2H2O + 1/2O2 + 3/2H2O → CaSO4 × 2H2O

Parallel to the oxidation of the sulphite into sulphate, the crystallisation of the
gypsum also takes place. It is important to remove formed, rough crystals
(this occurs in the hydrocyclone wreath) and to return the minuscule basic
cores into the scrubber. The flue gasses contain, in addition to sulphuric
compounds, acidic compounds like hydrochloric acid (HCl) and hydrofluoric
acid (HF). The chlorine and flour bond to the calcium while the CO2 exits via
the exhaust.

CaCO3 + 2HCl → CaCl2 + H2O + CO2

CaCO3 + 2HF → CaF2 + H2O + CO2

http://www.te-sostanj.si/en/production/gas-desulphurisation/wet-calcite-flue-gas-desulphurisation-process 1/1