Flue gas scrubbing apparatus
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorDennis J. Laslo
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A spray tower for removing acidic gases and particulate matter from flue gases produced by processing operations of the type carried out in utility and industrial facilities. The spray tower is equipped with a tank that serves as a reservoir for an alkaline slurry used to remove acidic gases and particulate matter from the flue gases. The slurry is pumped from the tank to spraying devices located within the tower. The spray tower further includes an internal structure that enables the slurry to be oxidized and gently agitated within a limited region of the tank, and without the requirement for two separate aeration and agitation devices. As a result, the construction, operational and maintenance costs of the spray tower are significantly reduced as compared to prior art spray towers.
Claims16
A gas scrubbing apparatus comprising:
- a passage;
- an inlet formed in the passage for introducing flue gases into the passage, the flue gases comprising acidic gases;
- means for introducing an alkali-containing fluid into the passage such that the alkali-containing fluid removes the acidic gases from the flue gases;
- a tank disposed in proximity to the passage for receiving the alkali-containing fluid from the passage;
- means for injecting an oxygen-containing gas into the tank so as to cause the alkali-containing fluid to flow up through a first region structurally delineated within the tank and down through a second region structurally delineated within the tank, the injecting means simultaneously expanding, agitating and oxidizing the alkali-containing fluid within the first region prior to flowing into the second region;
- and
- means for drawing the alkali-containing fluid from the tank and returning the alkali-containing fluid to the introducing means.
An absorber for removing acidic gases from flue gases, the spray tower comprising:
- a tower having a lower end;
- an inlet formed in the tower through which flue gases are introduced into the tower, the flue gases comprising acidic gases;
- means for introducing an alkali-containing liquid into the tower such that the alkali-containing liquid contacts the flue gases and absorbs the acidic gases therefrom;
- a tank disposed in proximity to the tower for receiving the alkali-containing liquid from the tower;
- a partition partially submerged in the alkali-containing liquid within the tank, the partition having an upper end projecting above a surface of the alkali-containing liquid within the tank and a lower end submerged in the alkali-containing liquid, the partition defining an inner region and an outer region surrounding the inner region;
- means associated with the tank for injecting an oxygen-containing gas into the inner region formed by the partition so as to agitate and oxidize the alkali-containing liquid therein, the injecting means expanding the alkali-containing liquid so as to circulate the alkali-containing liquid up through the inner region, over the upper end of the partition, and into the outer annular region;
- and
- means for drawing the alkali-containing liquid from the tank and returning the alkali-containing liquid to the introducing means, the partition forming a physical barrier between the drawing means and the injecting means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.