FLUE GAS SCRUBBING METHOD AND GAS-LIQUID CONTRACTOR THEREFOR

摘要

An apparatus and process for removing acidic gases from flue gases produced by processing operations of the type carried out in utility and industrial plants. The apparatus is generally a gas-liquid contactor (110, 210) whose operation uses an ammonium sulfate-containing scrubbing solution to absorb acidic gases from flue gases, and into which oxygen and ammonia are then injected to react with the absorbed sulfur dioxide to produce ammonium sulfate as a valuable byproduct. The oxygen and ammonia are not introduced together into the scrubbing solution, but instead are introduced sequentially and in a manner so that the oxidation first occurs in a relatively low pH solution as a result of the absorbed acidic gases. The ammonia is then added to the solution in a manner that inhibits or prevents intermixing of the ammonia with the majority of the solution, but is present in the solution when recycled for further absorption of acidic gases.