Advanced and Intensified Seawater Flue Gas Desulfurization Processes
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energies Review Advanced and Intensified Seawater Flue Gas Desulfurization Processes: Recent Developments and Improvements 1, , 1, 2 2 Nguyen Van Duc Long * y, Dong Young Lee y, Kim Myung Jin , Kwag Choongyong , Lee Young Mok 2, Lee Sung Won 2 and Moonyong Lee 1,* 1 School of Chemical Engineering, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 712-749, Korea; [email protected] 2 Hanbal Masstech Ltd., Golden Root Complex, Gimhae 50969, Korea; [email protected] (K.M.J.); [email protected] (K.C.); [email protected] (L.Y.M.); [email protected] (L.S.W.) * Correspondence: [email protected] (N.V.D.L.); [email protected] (M.L.); Tel.: +82-53-810-3241 (N.V.D.L.); +82-53-810-2512 (M.L.) These two authors contributed equally to this work. y Received: 12 October 2020; Accepted: 11 November 2020; Published: 13 November 2020 Abstract: Seawater flue gas desulfurization (SWFGD) is considered to be a viable solution for coastal and naval applications; however, this process has several drawbacks, including its corrosive absorbent; low vapor loading capacity since the solubility of sulfur oxides (SOx) in seawater is lower than that of limestone used in conventional methods; high seawater flowrate; and large equipment size. This has prompted process industries to search for possible advanced and intensified configurations to enhance the performance of SWFGD processes to attain a higher vapor loading capacity, lower seawater flowrate, and smaller equipment size. This paper presents an overview of new developments as well as advanced and intensified configurations of SWFGD processes via process modifications such as modification and optimization of operating conditions, improvement of spray and vapor distributors, adding internal columns, using square or rectangular shape, using a pre-scrubber, multiple scrubber feed; process integration such as combined treatment of SOx and other gases, and waste heat recovery; and process intensification such as the use of electrified sprays, swirling gas flow, and rotating packed beds. A summary of the industrial applications, engineering issues, environmental impacts, challenges, and perspectives on the research and development of advanced and intensified SWFGD processes is presented. Keywords: marine seawater FGD process; process integration; process intensification; process modification; process improvement 1. Introduction The global energy demand is increasing rapidly, leading to the construction of many power plants using fossil fuel [1]. Combustion of fossil fuel such as coal and/or oil in these plants increases the amount of sulfurous oxides (SOx, whereof the main constituent is sulfur dioxide (SO2)), which has a negative impact on human health and the environment [2]. Consequently, tight SOx emissions regulations have been promulgated in many countries [3]. Furthermore, marine shipping accounting for more than 90% of international trade [4] generates substantial SOx emissions [5]. To prevent the formation of SOx, the International Marine Organization (IMO) approved sulfur emissions regulations [6]. From 1 January 2015, equivalent sulfur emissions need to be lower (0.1% in weight) in some coastal regions termed as “Sulphur Emission Control Areas” Energies 2020, 13, 5917; doi:10.3390/en13225917 www.mdpi.com/journal/energies Energies 2020, 13, 5917 2 of 20 (SECAs).Energies 2020 From, 13, x 1FOR January PEER REVIEW 2020, sulfur emissions for ocean ships worldwide must be equivalent to2 thatof 21 emitted by fuel with sulfur content lower than 0.5% in weight [7]. ToTo effeffectivelyectively control control SO SO2 emissions,2 emissions, flue flue gas desulfurizationgas desulfurizat (FGD),ion (FGD), in which in thewhich flue gasthe interactsflue gas withinteracts anabsorbent with an absorbent medium, medium, is a viable is asolution viable so [lution8], with [8], wet with processes wet processes occupying occupying roughly roughly 87% of87% the of worldwide the worldwide share share [9]. [9]. Wet Wet scrubbers scrubbers can can be be classified classified as as wet wet limestone limestone FGD, FGD, wet wet lime lime andand magnesium-limemagnesium-lime FGD,FGD, seawaterseawater FGDFGD (SWFGD),(SWFGD), dual-alkalidual-alkali FGD, and ammonia FGD processes [[10].10]. InIn allall FGDFGD processesprocesses (except(except thethe SWFGDSWFGD process),process), largelarge quantitiesquantities ofof chemicalchemical sorbentssorbents (limestone,(limestone, lime,lime, magnesium-enhancedmagnesium-enhanced lime, lime, calcium calcium hydroxide, hydroxide, etc.) etc.) are are needed. needed. Therefore, Therefore, significant significant capital capital is requiredis required to acquire to acquire and transport and transport those chemical those chemical sorbents andsorbents to acquire and spaceto acquire for storage. space Furthermore, for storage. mostFurthermore, of these processesmost of these generate processes solid generate waste, such solid as waste, gypsum, such which as gypsum, needs which space forneeds storage space and for isstorage expensive and is to expensive dispose of. to Meanwhile,dispose of. Meanwhile, the high costs the andhigh the costs apparent and the excessive apparent fertilizerexcessive use fertilizer from industrializeduse from industrialized countries restrictcountries the restrict use of the the use ammonia of the FGDammonia system FGD [8]. system [8]. AsAs large amounts amounts of of water water are are needed needed for forcooling, cooling, many many power power plants plants prefer prefer to be built to be in built coastal in coastalareas. Furthermore, areas. Furthermore, due to its due natural to its alkalinity natural alkalinityand high availability, and high availability, seawater has seawater been considered has been consideredas a technically as a technicallyand economically and economically reliable solvent reliable for desulfurization solvent for desulfurization processes in processes coastal and in coastalmarine 2− andapplications marine applications [11]. In this [technique,11]. In this the technique, absorbed the SO absorbed2 is transformed SO2 is transformed into sulfate intoions sulfate(SO4 ) ionsand 2 (SOcompletely4 −) and dissolved completely in dissolvedseawater; intherefore, seawater; no therefore,solid waste no is solid generated waste and is generated no storage and space no storageneeded space[12]. Thus, needed the [12 FGD]. Thus, process the FGDusing process seawater using as the seawater sorbent as is the convenient sorbent is and convenient economical, and economical,and a large andamount a large of amountresearch of is research being isconducted being conducted to this toend, this especially end, especially in FGD in FGD improvement improvement as shown as shown in inFigure Figure 1.1 It. Itwas was observed observed that that the the high high salinity salinity of of seawater (mainly(mainly NaCl)NaCl) furtherfurther improved improved the the SO SO22 absorptionabsorption [[13].13]. InIn general,general, SWFGDSWFGD systemssystems maymay achieveachieve aa SOSO22 removalremoval eefficiencyfficiency ofof 85–98%85–98% [[8].8]. FigureFigure 1.1. Percentage ofof articlesarticles mentioningmentioning thethe seawaterseawater flueflue gasgas desulfurizationdesulfurization (SWFGD)(SWFGD) process.process. However,However, thethe SWFGDSWFGD processprocess hashas severalseveral drawbacks,drawbacks, suchsuch asas itsits corrosivecorrosive absorbent;absorbent; lowlow vaporvapor loadingloading capacitycapacity since since SO SO22 hashas a alower lower solubility solubility in inseawater seawater as compared as compared to that to that in limestone in limestone or lime or limein conventional in conventional processes; processes; high highseawater seawater flowra flowrate;te; and large and largeequipment equipment size. Furthermore, size. Furthermore, many manyconstraints constraints have to havebe considered to be considered when designin wheng the designing marine SWFGD the marine process. SWFGD Thus, process. many solutions Thus, manyhave been solutions proposed have to been increase proposed the efficiency, to increase capacity, the e ffiandciency, output capacity, of SWFGD and processes output of as SWFGD well as processesto make this as wellprocess as tomore make compact this process and lighter more due compact to the and restriction lighter of due space to the and restriction weight for of marine space andapplications. weight for This marine paper applications. aims to produce This a papercomprehensive aims to produce review aof comprehensive the development review of SWFGD, of the developmentwhich has recently of SWFGD, received which significant has recently consideration received significantand is suitable consideration for flue gas and treatment is suitable for for coastal flue gasand treatment naval applications, for coastal andas well naval as applications,enhancement as meth wellodologies as enhancement of this proces methodologiess by investigating of this process both byopen investigating literature bothand openpatents. literature This work and patents. also discusses This work commercially also discusses advanced commercially and intensified advanced andSWFGD, intensified engineering SWFGD, issues, engineering environmental issues, environmental impacts, current impacts, barriers, current barriers,and perspectives and perspectives on the onresearch the research and development and development of advanced of advanced and intensified and intensified SWFGD SWFGD processes. processes. Energies 2020, 13, 5917 3 of 20 2. Land-Based SWFGD Systems 2.1. Process Description The SO2 composition