Process for removing sulfur dioxide from flue gases

Claim 1

In a dry process for the removal of sulfur dioxide from flue gases by the addition thereto of hydrated lime containing sugar in a coal combustion unit, wherein the flue gases result from the combustion of coal in a combustion chamber, and the flue gases are treated in an electrostatic precipitator prior to discharge to the atmosphere, the improvement comprising: passing said flue gases, after the addition of said hydrated lime containing sugar, wherein said hydrated lime is of fine particles of a specific surface of 7 to 25 square meters per gram, through a conduit towards said electrostatic precipitator; and adding an aqueous media to said flue gases in said conduit in an amount to increase the water content of the flue gases and cool the same by evaporative cooling to a temperature no lower than 20° F. above the dew point of the gas, so as to avoid forming water droplets in the gas, so as to prevent condensation of water therefrom.