Removal of fine particles by heterogeneous condensation in the double-alkali desulfurization process

Removal of fine particles by heterogeneous condensation in the rotating-stream-tray scrubber was investigated experimentally for the double-alkali desulfurization process in this paper. A supersaturated vapor phase, necessary for condensational growth of fine particles, was achieved in the SO2 absorption zone and at the top of the scrubber by adding steam in the gas inlet, between the pieces of rotating-stream-tray and above the desulfurization liquid inlet of the scrubber, respectively. Fine particles grew in size by vapor heterogeneous condensation with the particles acting as nucleation centers. Then the condensational grown droplets were removed efficiently by the desulfurization liquid and a high-efficiency demister. In order to optimize the removal process, the influences of temperature of inlet flue gas and desulfurization liquid, steam addition method and amount of steam added on the particle removal efficiency were presented. The results show that a few fine particles could be removed in the rotating-stream-tray scrubber. The removal efficiency can be significantly improved for various steam addition cases, and the improve performance is related to the method and the amount of steam addition. Particle removal efficiency with steam added between the pieces of rotating-stream-tray is higher than that of else steam addition cases.