The report gives results of a study to assess the use of baghouses (fabric filtration) to control air pollutant emissions (particularly SOx) from large utility combustion sources. The assessment included sorbent costs, and system capital, operating, and disposal costs. SO2 would be removed by introducing powdered dry sorbent into the gas stream or by precoating the baghouse fabric with sorbent. The objective of the study was to determine if the apparent economic advantage exhibited by the concept would remain intact after independent third-party evaluation and if the economic (and other) advantages are sufficiently large to warrant further development of the process at field installations. The evaluation shows that the dry sorbent baghouse FGD process exhibits an economic advantage when compared with current lime and limestone scrubbing technology when applied to Western power plants burning low sulfur coal. Further demonstrations on the pilot plant scale have been recommended, particularly at high temperatures. The need for extensive user (electric utility) commitment, in order to justify the considerable capital investment needed to open a commercial-scale sorbent (nahcolite) mine may represent the greatest barrier to commercialization of the process.

Contract no. 68-02-2165, task no. 10, program element no. EHE624A. Jan. 1979. Includes bibliographical references.