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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Removal of NO{sub x} and SO{sub x} from coal combustion flue gases utilizing activated char and microwave energy

Conference ·
OSTI ID:257120
The Clean Air Act of 1990 mandates severe reductions in the levels of SO{sub x} and NO{sub x} emitted by coal-fired power plants. The lack of efficient and cost-effective flue gas desulfurization and denitrification technologies has placed high sulfur coals on the endangered list for utility burning. Clearly, new innovative and cost effective flue gas desulfurization and denitrification technologies are needed. The CHA Corporation has developed a new process utilizing high-frequency electromagnetic waves (e.g. microwaves) for removing and destroying pollutants from coal combustion flue gases. The primary pollutants of interest are SO{sub x} and NO{sub x} which are commonly present in coal combustion flue gases and which are strictly regulated by the Clean Air Act. The new process can be utilized on gas streams that contain SO{sub x}, NO{sub x}, or both SO{sub x} and NO{sub x}. The pollutants are first removed from the flue gases by passing the gases through a bed of relatively inexpensive activated char adsorbent. The NO{sub x} and SO{sub x} gases are absorbed and stored on the adsorbent then destroyed during regeneration of the adsorbent with microwave energy. The microwave energy decomposes NO{sub x} to nitrogen and carbon dioxide and decomposes SO{sub x} to elemental sulfur and carbon dioxide. Extensive laboratory research has determined that the new process, unlike many existing alternatives, will not generate any significant solid or liquid waste products and will yield a removal efficiency of 98% or greater.
OSTI ID:
257120
Report Number(s):
CONF-950952--
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English