Review of Sorbent Injection Processes for Low-Cost Sulphur Dioxide Control

Abstract

Over recent years there has been growing public awareness world-wide that the use of fossil fuels can have damaging consequences for the environment. As a result increased efforts are being made to reduce such adverse effects. A range of low-cost sorbent injection techniques for abatement of sulphur dioxide applicable to combustion plant and other process operations are available and development is continuing. These techniques are generally characterized by modest SO2 removal and low capital cost. The potential for application depends on a range of plant specific factors, although their market niche is likely to be limited to smaller industrial scale plant or existing plant with a low residual lifespan. The main barrier to their exploitation on such plant is considered to be the general lack of operational experience, which does not help their acceptance by plant operators as an alternative to established techniques such as spray drying and wet flue gas desulphurization. This paper describes the options for sulphur dioxide abatement from combustion plant with particular reference to low-cost sorbent injection processes and discusses their applicability.