Model of the Wet Limestone Flue Gas Desulfurization Process for Cost Optimization

A detailed process model of the wet limestone flue gas desulfurization system has been presented. This model can be used to calculate indispensable parameters for estimating costs and next to minimize capital and operating costs. The process model describes most important stage of SO2 removal running in an absorber and a holding tank. It includes absorption of sulfur dioxide, oxidation of SO3-, dissolution of limestone, and crystallization of gypsum. An assumption of thermodynamic equilibrium in the solution has been used. SO2 removal and limestone dissolution calculation has been based on stagnant-film theory. The model has been used for predicting the SO2 removal efficiency in the spray scrubber for process parameters, e.g., L/G, droplet diameter, stoichiometric ratio Ca/S, height of the absorption section, gas velocity, concentration in liquid-phase ions of Mg2+ and Cl-, and liquid pH. This model could be used to describe a multilevel spray system, too. The results of this model are in agreement with data from flue gas desulfurization installation at the Bełchatów Power Plant (Poland).