# US 2009/0260519 A1 · Process for the absorption of sulfur dioxide from flue gas > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2009/0260519 A1 - Document ID: US20090260519A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/439,729 - Filed: 2007-09-04 - Published: 2009-10-22 - Earliest claimed: 2006-09-04 - Assignees: Clue AS - Inventors: Riki Canari - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20090260519A1 ## CPC - B01D 53/507: {by treating the gases with other liquids} - C02F 1/06: Flash evaporation - C02F 1/22: by freezing - C02F 1/441: {by reverse osmosis} - C02F 1/4693: {electrodialysis} - C02F 1/66: by neutralisation; pH adjustment (for degassing C02F1/20; using ion-exchange C02F1/42; for flocculation or precipitation of suspended impurities C02F1/52; for removing dissolved compounds C02F1/58) - C02F 2101/101: {Sulfur compounds} - C02F 2103/08: Seawater, e.g. for desalination - Y02A 20/124: Water desalination - Y02A 20/131: Reverse-osmosis - B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28) - C02F: TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE (separation in general B01D; special arrangements on waterborne vessels of installations for treating water, waste water or sewage, e.g. for producing fresh water, B63J; adding materials to water to prevent corrosion C23F; treating radioactively-contaminated liquids G21F9/04; regeneration of reactants for recirculation into processes, see the relevant places for the processes) - Y02A: TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE ## Abstract The present invention provides a process for the absorption of sulfur dioxide from flue gases comprising the steps of: a) providing input seawater or brackish water; b) treating at least a portion of the seawater or brackish water to form a more concentrated solution of ions; and c) contacting the flue gas with an aqueous stream containing the concentrated solution to form flue gas with a reduced content of sulfur dioxide and a wash solution. wherein the treatment in stage (b) is a process selected from the group consisting of vacuum distillation, distillation, reverse osmosis, or any combination thereof. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A process for the absorption of sulfur dioxide from flue gases comprising the steps of: a) providing input seawater or brackish water; b) treating at least a portion of said seawater or brackish water to form concentrated seawater or brackish water having a higher than normal concentration of bicarbonate/carbonate ions; and c) contacting said flue gas with an aqueous stream containing said concentrated seawater or brackish water to form flue gas with a reduced content of sulfur dioxide and a wash solution. wherein said treatment in stage (b) is a process selected from the group consisting of vacuum distillation, distillation, reverse osmosis, or any combination thereof. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A process according to claim 1 wherein said treatment of seawater or brackish water is conducted as a desalination process for producing potable water. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A process according to claim 1 wherein said treatment step produces 15%-60% w/w potable water of the seawater or brackish water and, brine water which are concentrated by a multiple of 1.17-2.5 compared to the volume of said input seawater or brackish water. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A process according to claim 1 wherein an alkaline component is added to said aqueous stream, which alkaline component is selected from the group consisting of lime, limestone, CaO, NAOH, NaHCO3, lime added to seawater or brackish water, limestone added to seawater or brackish water, CaO added to seawater or brackish water, NaOH added to seawater or brackish water, NaHCO3 added to seawater or brackish water or a combination thereof. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A process according to claim 4 wherein said alkaline component is introduced to said aqueous stream in a form selected from the group consisting of particles, solution, suspension or a combination thereof. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A process according to claim 1 wherein oxygen is contacted with said flue gas or wash solution. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A process according to claim 1 whenever conducted in a location selected from the group consisting of ships, seashores, ports, or any region where seawater or brackish water is available. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) A process according to claim 7, whenever conducted on a ship. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A process according to claim 1 wherein seawater or brackish water is added to said wash solution. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A process according to claim 1 wherein said wash solution is decarbonized, thereby forming carbonic acid which is then released as carbon dioxide gas. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A process according to claim 1 comprising the further step of separating undesired components selected from the group consisting of soot, oil, poisons metals and combination thereof from said wash solution. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) A process according to claim 1 comprising further steps for controlling parameters which characterize said wash solution so that said wash solution will have parameters acceptable for discharge of said solution into the sea. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) A process according to claim 12, wherein said parameters are selected from the group consisting of pH, content of unstable sulfites, temperature, soot content, content of toxic metals, and oil content. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) A process according to claim 1, wherein the volume of the solution exiting step b is Increased by the addition of untreated seawater or brackish water. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) A process according to claim 1 wherein only a portion of said seawater or brackish water is treated in step b to form said more concentrated seawater or brackish water and untreated seawater or brackish water is added to the volume of solution exiting step b and entering step c.