SNOX process

Flue gas desulfurization: SNOX process with unique catalytic converter
for NOx and SO2

In order to meet stringent environmental regulations limiting SO2 emissions enacted in many
countries, SO2 removal from flue gases is an important requirement for plants use fossil fuels.
Conventional flue gas desulfurization (FGD) methods are troubled by high operating costs, massive
limestone consumption, and production of contaminated gypsum that must be deposited.
SNOX technology
It was funded by U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) under the Clean Coal Technology (CCT) program
One of the major thrusts of the CCT program is to develop and demonstrate technology options
for reducing the emissions of acid rain precursors that result from utility and industrial combustion
of coal.
In brief, the SNOX process involves catalytic reduction of NOx in the presence of ammonia (NH3),
followed by catalytic oxidation of SO2 to SO3. The exit gas from the SO3 converter passes through
a novel glass-tube condenser in which the SO3 is hydrated to H2SO4 vapor and then condensed to
a concentrated liquid sulfuric acid (H2SO4). Before entering the SNOX system, most of the fly ash
is removed from the flue gas, leaving the boiler in a high-efficiency, fabric filter baghouse to
minimize the cleaning frequency of the catalysts in the two downstream conversion processes.
The SNOX process removes virtually all of the remaining fine particulates by capture on the
catalyst or in the condensation of H2SO4.
Credit: By Anne Mette Sørensen

Process
In the first step, the particulates are significantly reduced in a conventional pulse-jet baghouse
fitted with high-efficiency bags. The flue gas is heated to SCR reaction temperature 730 degs F in
gas/gas heat exchanger is then sent to the SCR [selective catalytic reactor] unit for NOx removal. In
the SCR reactor, nitrogen oxides are selectively reduced with ammonia to elemental nitrogen and
water vapor.
The reduction follows equation
NO + NH3 + 0.25 O2 = N2 + 1.5 H2O + 410 kJ/mole (175100 Btu/lb mole) In this equation, NO is
taken to represent NOx. The small amount of NO2 present in the flue gas is similarly reduced.
The gas leaving the SCR reactor, containing residual ammonia and minimal residual fine
particulates, is reheated with natural gas, oil, or steam to reach the optimum SO2 converter inlet
temperature 780 degc F In the converter, filled with Haldor Topsoe VK-WSA catalyst, SO2 is
oxidized to SO3 without any reagents or additives, over 95% of the entering SO2 is oxidized via
following equation.
The oxidation follows following equation
SO2 + 0.5 O2 = SO3 + 98 kJ/mole (42600 Btu/lb mole)
This is then followed by hydration of SO3 to H2SO4 in the vapor state and then condensation to
produce a high-quality, commercial-grade acid.
In addition, unburned hydrocarbons in the flue gas and ammonia slip from the SCR reactor are
completely oxidized. This allows high NOx removal with high SCR space velocities, without the risk
of downstream ammonium salt scaling.
SO2 hydration to H2SO4
Flue gas leaving the hot side of the gas/gas heat exchanger is further cooled to about 210 degF in
the WSA condenser. During cooling, SO3 and water react exothermically to form H2SO4, which
condenses and is collected as concentrated acid. The acid formation reaction is shown in following
equation
The hydration of SO3 follows following equation
SO3 + H2O = H2SO4 (vapor) + 100 kJ/mole (44300 Btu/lb mole)

The condensation of H2SO4 vapor follows following equation
The condensation of acid vapor is described by following
H2SO4 (vapor) = H2SO4 (liquid) + 69 kJ/mole (29500 Btu/lb mole) (4)
The proprietary WSA condenser is in principle an air-cooled multi-tube falling film heat exchanger.
The tubes are made of borosilicate glass, and other acid-wetted parts are either constructed of or
lined with acid-proof materials such as acid brick and fluoropolymers. Cooling air leaving the
condenser can be integrated with the boiler as preheated combustion air to significantly offset
flue gas cleaning system operating costs.
Credit: Google

SNOX process

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SNOX process

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Flue gas desulfurization: SNOX process with unique catalytic converter

for NOx and SO2

Credit: By Anne Mette Sørensen

SO3 + H2O = H2SO4 (vapor) + 100 kJ/mole (44300 Btu/lb mole)

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