REMOVAL OF SO2 AND NOX FROM SIMULATED FLUE-GASES BY ALKALIZED ALUMINA IN A RADIAL FLOW FIXED-BED

A dry-regenerative adsorption process for the simultaneous removal of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides from power plant flue gases was investigated. Alkalized alumina was used as the adsorbent in a radial flow fixed bed reactor at a space velocity of 2000 h-1 and temperatures between 100 and 150 °C. Breakthrough curves and temperatures were measured at the reactor outlet and at several points within the reactor. The process is appreciably exothermic and strong interaction between NO and SO2 uptake is apparent. Adsorbent saturation capacity and the rate of adsorption for SO2 are affected by NO presence. The adsorbent does not show appreciable loss of activity upon repeated regeneration with H2 at 600 °C. A diffusion-controlled shrinking core model was used to interpret SO2 breakthrough curves and evaluate pertinent rate parameters. © 1978, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.