ABSORBER SYSTEM GYPSUM HANDLING SYSTEM GAS SYSTEM LIMESTONE SYSTEM

In the absorber the flue gases are washed counter currently with a limestone/gypsum suspension for the removal of SO2, SO3, HCl and HF by forming gypsum (CaSO4) as the main product and consuming limestone as absorbent.
The limestone suspension enters the absorber sump where it is mixed with the gypsum slurry. From the absorber sump the slurry mix is recirculated by recycle pumps and distributed by spray nozzles to produce very fine suspension droplets. A very effective gas-liquid contact is realised by atomising the slurry in the spraying levels. Each operating recirculation pump is connected to its own slurry spray bank.

CaCO3+SO2+2H2O+1/2O2CaSO4.2H2O+CO2
ABSORPTION REACTION WITH LIMESTONE OXIDATION

ABSORPTION
The sulphur oxides SO2 and SO3 in the flue gas dissolve in the water of the slurry droplets according to: SO2 + H2O <==> H2SO3 SO3 + H2O <==> H2SO4 This H2SO3 respectively H2SO4 must be neutralized quickly in order to maintain efficient SO2 and SO3 absorption.

REACTION WITH LIMESTONE

The H2SO3, H2SO4 and HCl reacts with the limestone from the fine limestone particles contained in the falling suspension droplets according to:
CaCO3 + H2SO3 <==> CaSO3 + CO2 + H2O CaCO3 + H2SO4 <==> CaSO4 + CO2 + H2O CaCO3 + 2HCl <==> CaCl2 + CO2 + H2O The above mentioned reactions are ionic and hence they occur in the solution. The reaction with limestone is completed in the absorber sump. The slurry residence time ensures a sufficient degree of conversion.

OXIDATION
The air, which is blown into the absorber sump is needed to oxidize the sulphite to sulphate:

Oxidation:

2 CaSO3 + O2 <==> 2 CaSO4

CaSO4 + 2H2O <==> CaSO4 . 2H2O

Crystallisation:

Oxidation and crystallization occurs mainly in the absorber sump. The retention time in the absorber sump is long enough to form good system gypsum crystals (CaSO4 x 2H2O).

In the absorber sump, gypsum is constantly produced. To keep the slurry density constant a bleed stream is pumped to the gypsum hydrocyclone station . Gypsum slurry withdrawn from the absorber is concentrated to the concentration of approx. 50 % by means of gypsumhydrocyclones. These hydrocyclones have a double function: 1. Pre-dewatering of the gypsum slurry 2. Classifying the gypsum crystals. The underflow of the hydrocyclone is driven to the vacuum belt filter where the gypsum is dewatered. The water content in the gypsum is less than 15%.

Normally the limestone is transported from outside the Plant by trucks or train. The limestone size must be aprox 40m. If the average size of the limestone that arrives to the Plant is too big it is necessary to mill it. Downstream the mill the limestone is carried out to the Limestone Slurry Tank where is mixed with water. If the limestone arrives to the Plant milled it is carried out directly to the Limestone Slurry Tank from the silo.

Main Gas System Components

Raw Gas Duct Ducts Clean Gas Duct By-Pass Duct Dampers

Expansion Joints
GGH Internal Lining External Insulation To increase the gas temperature downstream the absorber and to decrease it upstream the absorber Rubber and/or Flake