Fgd Technology Developments in Europe and North America

Over the past twenty years there have been significant advances in the design and operation of Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD) systems. Due to the differences in fuels and economic pressures, advances have been different in North America and Europe. This paper will discuss the evolution of the FGD technology focusing on the limestone/gypsum process. Babcock Borsig Power (BBP) has approximately 49,000 MW of wet FGD systems in operation in Europe, Asia and North America. The sulfur content of the fuel burned in these plants ranges from less than 1% to over 5%. This wide range of experience has resulted in many innovative developments. Some of the technology developments included are single and dual loop systems to optimize SO2 removal and production of gypsum. These developments have resulted in operating systems with annual availability of over 99% and more than 95% SO2 control efficiency with limestone single loop systems. INTRODUCTION During the last two years, there have been ongoing developments in FGD technology as well as in the business environment. There has been a concentration in the energy and environmental technology business resulting in the merger of four very traditional European companies and one U.S. company under the name of Babcock Borsig Power. BBP now includes the business units of DBA (Deutsche Babcock Anlagenbau), L&C Steinmüller, Austrian Energy & Environment (AEE), NOELL-KRC, and DB Riley. Within BBP, more than 20 years of know-how and experience of FGD business has been combined and demonstrated by more than 100 FGD systems with 181 absorbers. More than 50 absorbers are made of stainless steel. Intensive experience with all types of organic coating systems including rubber lining and various plastics complete the product range. Several of the new developments were incorporated in the design of Southern Indiana Gas & Electric’s F. B. Culley Plant scrubber system. 2 This paper will give a brief overview of the most recent developments in FGD design, and also compare the different technologies available.