You are here:
EVALUATION OF MOLTEN SCRUBBING FOR FINE PARTICULATE CONTROL
Citation:
Poe, G., L. Waterland, AND R. Schreiber. EVALUATION OF MOLTEN SCRUBBING FOR FINE PARTICULATE CONTROL. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/2-77/067.
Description:
One important proposed use of low Btu fuel gas derived from coal gasification processes is the generation of electric power by combustion and expansion of the gas through a gas turbine. Successful operation of such a system is predicated on the conservation of sensible heat of the fuel gas. However, the raw gas from the gasification process contains impurities, notably sulfur compounds and particulate, which are incompatible with turbine operation and must therefore be removed. The report gives results of an evaluation of molten scrubbing for fine particulate control, a concept that study results indicate as seeming to be feasible. Application of the concept to fine particulate clean-up in advanced energy processes seems possible. Molten scrubbing is especially well-suited to processes where simultaneous removal of sulfur compounds is desired. However, before effective molten scrubbing systems can be developed for particulate removal, two important problems need to be solved: (1) finding construction materials at an acceptable cost which can adequately withstand the highly corrosive scrubbing medium presented by hot molten liquids; and (2) improving gas/liquid separation and mist eliminator designs so that liquid carryover satisfies emission standards or gas turbine inlet specifications. Based on the report's observations and on the above conclusions, it appears that considerable development work would be required to investigate the aforementioned problems before a final assessment of the feasibility of this concept could be made.