flue gas desulfurization

Flue gas desulfurization (FGD) is a technology used to reduce pollutants, primarily sulfur dioxide, emitted from burning fossil fuels in power plants and industrial facilities. Flue gas, the byproduct of burning coal, oil, natural gas, or wood, can contain harmful substances like particulates, sulfur dioxide, mercury, and carbon dioxide.1

FGD systems typically involve scrubbers, which use an alkaline sorbent, such as limestone or lime, to remove sulfur dioxide from the gases through chemical reactions. These processes can be wet or dry. Wet FGD systems use a slurry, while dry systems use powdered lime or limestone, with the resulting solids removed by filters. While effective, FGD systems are costly to install and operate.12