Apparatus and process for flue gas desulphurization

Claim 1

An apparatus for converting SO x components in stack gases, which also include O 2 and water vapor, into H 2 SO 4 which may subsequently be removed, said apparatus comprising in combination: means defining a breech section; means defining a stack connected to and in flow communication with said breech section for passing the stack gases therethrough; means for heating the stack gases to least 1000° F. in a reaction area generally defined within said breech section and said stack; source means for defining a source of hydrogen; injection means operatively coupled to said source means for injecting H 2 into said reaction area within said breech section for converting at least some of the SO x components into S and H 2 S; fluid source means for defining a source of H 2 O; means operatively coupled to said fluid source means and located within an upper section of said stack for spraying H 2 O downwardly through said reaction area of said stack for precipitating particulate matter from the stack gases and for converting at least some of the H 2 S components into H 2 SO 4 ; liquid collection means spaced below said reaction area of said stack for absorbing any H 2 SO 4 and the particulate matter suspended in the H 2 O; and lime rock filtration means spaced above said reaction area of said stack for absorbing any H 2 S and H 2 SO 4 components of the stack gases and for trapping any of the remaining particulate matter therein.

Claim 2

An apparatus for converting SO x components in stack gases, which also include O 2 and water vapor, into H 2 SO 4 which may subsequently be removed, said apparatus comprising in combination: means defining a breech section; means defining a stack connected to and in flow communication with said breech section for passing the stack gases therethrough; means for heating the stack gases to least 1000° F. in a reaction area generally defined within said breech section and said stack; source means for defining a source of hydrogen; injection means operatively coupled to said source means for injecting H 2 into said reaction area within said breech section for converting at least some of the SO x components into S and H 2 S; fluid source means for defining a source of H 2 O; means operatively coupled to said fluid source means and located within an upper section of said stack for spraying H 2 O downwardly through said reaction area of said stack for precipitating particulate matter from the stack gases and for converting at least some of the H 2 S components into H 2 SO 4 ; liquid collection means spaced below said reaction area of said stack for absorbing any H 2 SO 4 and the particulate matter suspended in the H 2 O; and lime rock filtration means spaced above said reaction area of said stack for absorbing any H 2 S and H 2 SO 4 components of the stack gases and for trapping any of the remaining particulate matter therein.

Claim 6

An apparatus for removing SO x components in stack gases, which also include O 2 and water vapor, flowing from a combustion system through a breech section and out a smokestack, said apparatus comprising in combination: heat exchanger means carried within the breech section for heating stack gases flowing therethrough to at least 1000° F.; means defining a source of hydrogen; first means operatively coupled to said source means for injecting H 2 into the breech section adjacent said heat exchanger, but spaced from the smokestack, for converting at least some of the heated SO x components in the stack gases into S and H 2 S; fluid source means for defining a source of H 2 O; second means coupled to said fluid source means and located within a top section of the smokestack for spraying H 2 O downwardly therethrough for precipitating particulate matter from the stack gases and for enhancing the conversion of at least some of the H 2 S components into H 2 SO 4 , whereby the cooling effect of the H 2 O spray falling through the smokestack and the stack gases therein will enhance the condensation of vapors and the agglomeration of particulate matter within the stack gases; liquid collection means located adjacent a lower section of the smokestack for collecting the H 2 SO 4 and the particulate matter suspended in the H 2 O; and limerock filtration means spaced above said reaction area for absorbing any H 2 S and H 2 SO 4 components of the stack gases and for trapping any of the remaining particulate matter therein.

Claim 7

An apparatus for removing SO x components in stack gases, which also include O 2 and water vapor, flowing from a combustion system through a breech section and out a smokestack, said apparatus comprising in combination: heat exchanger means carried within the breech section for heating stack gases flowing therethrough to at least 1000° F.; means defining a source of hydrogen; first means operatively coupled to said source means for injecting H 2 into the breech section adjacent said heat exchanger, but spaced from the smokestack, for converting at least some of the heated SO x components in the stack gases into S and H 2 S; fluid source means for defining a source of H 2 O; second means coupled to said fluid source means and located within a top section of the smokestack for spraying H 2 O downwardly therethrough for precipitating particulate matter from the stack gases and for enhancing the conversion of at least some of the H 2 S components into H 2 SO 4 , whereby the cooling effect of the H 2 O spray falling through the smokestack and the stack gases therein will enhance the condensation of vapors and the agglomeration of particulate matter within the stack gases; liquid collection means located adjacent a lower section of the smokestack for collecting the H 2 SO 4 and the particulate matter suspended in the H 2 O; and limerock filtration means spaced above said reaction area for absorbing any H 2 S and H 2 SO 4 components of the stack gases and for trapping any of the remaining particulate matter therein.