Mathematical modelling of a semi-dry SO2 scrubber based on a Lagrangian-Eulerian approach

Semi-dry desulfurization is an efficient means of SO2 removal from the effluent gases from electrolysis cells in aluminum smelters. These gases are at low temperature and contain low concentrations of SO2, as opposed to thermal power plants. The removal is carried out by injecting powdered alkaline sorbent, hydrated lime (solid particles), into the SO2-containing gas (gas phase) in the presence of humidity. The reaction is controlled by the adsorption of SO2 onto the surface of lime. This study involves the mathematical modelling of a lab-scale scrubber using a Lagrangian-Eulerian approach in order to analyze the desulfurization efficiency. The model was validated based on experimental data. A parametric study was carried out to investigate the effects of particle size, sorbent amount, and relative humidity (RH) on the desulfurization efficiency. The results show that the particle size is the most important parameter; as the particle size decreases, the desulfurization efficiency increases. However, using finer particles may increase the process cost. The loss in SO2 capture efficiency due to the use of coarser particle size could be compensated by increasing the relative humidity (RH) of the gas, another key parameter of the process. [Display omitted] •A new unit is needed after the GTC to separate SO2 from the electrolysis gas.•The humidity enhances the desulfurization efficiency.•The sorbent size is slightly more effective than relative humidity in SO2 removal.•The particle phase effect on continuous phase is determined by two-way coupling with DPM.•Increasing humidity can compensate the negative effects of increasing particle size.