Flue Gas Desulfurization by Mechanically and Thermally Activated Sodium Bicarbonate

This paper presents the results of study on structural parameters (particle size, surface area, pore volume) and the sorption ability of mechanically and thermally activated sodium bicarbonate. The sorption ability of the modified sorbent was evaluated by: partial and overall SO₂ removal efficiency, conversion rate, normalized stoichiometric ratio (NSR). Sodium bicarbonate was mechanically activated by various grinding techniques, using three types of mills: fluid bed opposed jet mill, fine impact mill and electromagnetic mill, differing in grinding technology. Grounded sorbent was thermally activated, what caused a significant development of surface area. During the studies of SO₂ sorption, a model gas with a temperature of 300°C, of composition: sulfur dioxide at a concentration of 6292 mg/m_n³, oxygen, carbon dioxide and nitrogen as a carrier gas, was used. The best development of surface area and the highest SO₂ removal efficiency was obtained for the sorbent treated by electromagnetic grinding, with simultaneous high conversion rate.