title: Catalytic seawater flue gas desulfurization process: an experimental pilot plant study.
abstract: In previous articles by the authors on seawater S(IV) oxidation kinetics, a significant catalytic effect was demonstrated by means of a commercially available activated carbon. The aims of this study carried out at pilot plant scale were to assess the use of high-efficiency structured packing and to validate the positive results obtained previously in laboratory studies. A comparison between a packed tower and a spray column was made by maintaining the same desulfurization efficiency. A 47% reduction in seawater flow can be obtained with a packed tower. This option seems to be more economical, with a reduction in operation costs of least of 33%. With the appropriate activated carbon, it is possible to reach a greater oxidation rate at a low pH level than by operating conventionally at a high pH level without a catalyst. A preliminary technical and financial comparison between the advanced seawater desulfurization process (equipped with a packed tower and a catalytic oxidation plant) and the conventional process (spray tower and noncatalytic oxidation) was carried out.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Seville, Camino de los Descubrimientos s/n, 41092 Seville, Spain. vidal@esi.us.es
authors.forename: F Vidal
authors.initials: FV
authors.lastname: Barrero
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ollero
authors.forename: F J Gutiérrez
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Ortiz
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Villanueva
mesh_terms: D002244:Carbon / Q000737:chemistry; D002384:Catalysis; D005740:Gases / Q000737:chemistry*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012623:Seawater; D013455:Sulfur / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D005740:Gases; D013455:Sulfur; D002244:Carbon