Electron beam flue gas treatment (EBFGT) technology for simultaneous removal of SO 2 and NO x from combustion of liquid fuels

Abstract

Electron beam flue gas treatment technology was applied for removal of SO 2 and NO x from flue gas, emitted from combustion of high-sulfur fuel oils. The detailed study of this process was performed in a laboratory by irradiating the exhaust gas from the combustion of three grades of Arabian fuels with an electron beam from accelerator (800 keV, max. beam power 20 kW). SO 2 removal is mainly dependent on ammonia stoichiometry, flue gas temperature and humidity and irradiation doses up to 8 kGy. NO x removal depends primarily on irradiation dose. High removal efficiencies up to 98% for SO 2 and up to 82% for NO x were obtained under optimal conditions. The flue gas emitted from combustion of high-sulfur fuel oils, after electron beam irradiation, meets the stringent emission standards for both pollutants. The by-product, which is a mixture of ammonium sulphate and nitrate, can be used as a fertilizer as such or blended with other components to produce commercial agricultural fertilizer.