Apparatus and method for improving electrostatic precipitator performance by plasma reactor conversion of SO.sub.2 to SO.sub.3

Patent · Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1999

OSTI ID:872643

Huang, Hann-Sheng ^[1]; Gorski, Anthony J ^[2]

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1. Darien, IL
2. Woodridge, IL

An apparatus and process that utilize a low temperature nonequilibrium plasma reactor, for improving the particulate removal efficiency of an electrostatic precipitator (ESP) are disclosed. A portion of the flue gas, that contains a low level of SO.sub.2 O.sub.2 H.sub.2 O, and particulate matter, is passed through a low temperature plasma reactor, which defines a plasma volume, thereby oxidizing a portion of the SO.sub.2 present in the flue gas into SO.sub.3. An SO.sub.2 rich flue gas is thereby generated. The SO.sub.3 rich flue gas is then returned to the primary flow of the flue gas in the exhaust treatment system prior to the ESP. This allows the SO.sub.3 to react with water to form H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 that is in turn is absorbed by fly ash in the gas stream in order to improve the removal efficiency of the EPS.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 5980610
• OSTI ID: 872643
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

apparatus
method
improving
electrostatic
precipitator
performance
plasma
reactor
conversion
process
utilize
temperature
nonequilibrium
particulate
removal
efficiency
esp
disclosed
portion
flue
gas
contains
level
matter
passed
defines
volume
oxidizing
rich
generated
returned
primary
flow
exhaust
treatment
prior
allows
react
water
form
absorbed
fly
ash
stream
improve
particulate removal
particulate matter
fly ash
gas stream
flue gas
plasma reactor
plasma volume
removal efficiency
electrostatic precipitator
temperature plasma
equilibrium plasma
/95/96/110/422/