FLUE GAS TREATMENT USING ELECTRON ACCELERATORS

Sulfur compounds such as sulphur oxides (SOx) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) are generated and emittedfrom operations in the petroleum industry which have negative effects on the environment. This studygives a critical and detailed introduction to the control and treatment of sulphur compounds speciallySOx and NOx emissions from the petroleum industry. The radiation processing technology forindustrial and environmental applications has been developed and used worldwide. High-powerelectron beams can be used to reduce the environmental impact of coal and oil-fired power generatingplants by removing harmful materials from flue gases. This technology has been tested in thelaboratory and at smaller industrial levels, but to make it economically attractive, the accelerator costsmust be reduced and the efficiency must be increased for removing toxic components with lowconcentrations. We propose a simple electron accelerator with a wide beam to reduce costs. Flue gastreatment process based on electron beam application for SO2 and NOx removal was successfullydemonstrated in number of laboratories, pilot plants and industrial demonstration facilities. Theindustrial scale application of an electron beam process for flue gas treatment requires acceleratorsmodules with a beam power 100-500 kW and electron energy range 0.8-1.5 MeV. The most importantaccelerator parameters for successful flue gas radiation technology implementation are related toaccelerator reliability/availability, electrical efficiency and accelerator price. Experience gained in highpower accelerators exploitation in flue gas treatment industrial demonstration facility was describedand high power accelerator constructions have been reviewed.

Keywords:

Electron Accelerator , Radiation processing , Flue gas , Nitrogen Oxide , Sulfur Oxide