Interaction between emissions of SO2 and HCl in fluidized bed combustors

The ability to capture SO2 and halogens is one of the most important advantages of fluidized bed combustion (FBC), In order to clarify the affects of chlorine in the absorption of SO2 emission, experiments involving the addition of PVC to coals were carried out using the 0.3 m ID bench scale FBC system at Western Kentucky University. During the experiments, PVC was added to three coals in different percentages, and the mixtures fed into the FBC system. The Ca/S ratio was kept constant at 3:1. The experimental results indicate that chloride addition dramatically decreased the SO2 concentration in flue gases. The sulfur and chlorine contents in both fly ash and bed ash increased. At the same time, the utilization efficiency of calcium increased with an increase in the PVC weight percent. This reduction in SO2 is attributed to more voids on the sorbent particle surface (limestone and/or ash) through transient formation of a mobile halide ion-containing phase (CaCl2), and to the reactions: 4HCl + O-2 <-> 2Cl(2) + 2H(2)O Cl-2 + SO2 + H2O ,-> 2HCl + SO3. A proposed mechanism involving the interaction between SO2 and HCl is discussed in detail. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.