Which technology is used to remove sulfur dioxide from coal-fired power plant flue gases?

Which technology is used to remove sulfur dioxide from coal-fired power plant flue gases?

• A. Baghouses
• B. Flue gas desulfurization (scrubbers)
• C. Catalytic converters
• D. Photocatalytic oxidation systems

Answer: (B)

Removing sulfur dioxide from coal-fired power plant flue gases is achieved with flue gas desulfurization, usually in a wet scrubber. The flue gas passes through an alkaline slurry, typically lime or limestone, which chemically reacts with SO2 to form sulfite, and is subsequently oxidized to gypsum (calcium sulfate dihydrate). This process significantly lowers SO2 emissions and can yield a useful byproduct. Other options either target particulates or pollutants not primarily SO2, or are used in different settings, so they don’t provide the same effective, large-scale SO2 removal.

Removing sulfur dioxide from coal-fired power plant flue gases is achieved with flue gas desulfurization, usually in a wet scrubber. The flue gas passes through an alkaline slurry, typically lime or limestone, which chemically reacts with SO2 to form sulfite, and is subsequently oxidized to gypsum (calcium sulfate dihydrate). This process significantly lowers SO2 emissions and can yield a useful byproduct. Other options either target particulates or pollutants not primarily SO2, or are used in different settings, so they don’t provide the same effective, large-scale SO2 removal.