An Assessment

Extensive research has determined that adipic acid, when used as an additive to a limestone flue gas desulfurization (FGD) system, will improve the performance of the system. Both SO₂ removal and limestone utilization can be greatly increased by the buffering effect of adipic acid. Successful testing in laboratory, bench, pilot, prototype, and full scale systems has demonstrated the benefits of this technology for new and retrofit applications. Although adipic acid does degrade in the scrubber, no significant operating problems or environmental impacts have been identified. Economic estimates have shown the adipic acid enhanced limestone FGD system to be economically attractive when compared to conventional FGD systems. In addition, further research is underway to decrease the cost of using additives in FGD systems.