Opacity Reduction Using Dry Hydrated Lime Injection

Abstract

This investigation studied the effects of injecting dry hydrated lime into flue gas to reduce sulfur trioxide, (SO₃) concentrations and consequently stack opacity at the University of Missouri-Columbia power plant. The opacity was due to sulf uric acid mist forming at the stack from high SO₃ concentrations. As a result of light scattering by the mist, a visible plume leaves the stack. Therefore, reducing high concentrations of SO₃ reduces the sulfuric acid mist and consequently the opacity. To reduce SO₃ concentrations, dry hydrated lime is periodically injected into the flue gas upstream of a baghouse and downstream of an induced draft fan. The hydrated lime is transported downstream by the flue gas and deposited on the filter bags in the baghouse forming a filter cake. The reaction between the SO₃ and the hydrated lime takes place on the filter bags. The hydrated lime injection system has resulted in at least 95% reduction in the SO₃ concentration and has reduced the opacity to acceptable limits. Low capital equipment requirements, low operating cost, and increased bag life make the system very attractive to industries with similar problems.