Sulfite Oxidation Control in Flue Gas Desulfurization Slurry
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing wet flue gas desulfurization processes face challenges in controlling the oxidation of sulfites in the slurry, as it is difficult to measure or estimate dissolved sulfite concentration, leading to inefficient energy use and loss of benefits from unoxidized sulfites due to excessive air supply.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that includes a tank with a gas inlet for dispersing gas into the slurry and a sulfite concentration sensor to adjust the gas flow rate, using a controller to optimize the oxidation process based on real-time sulfite concentration measurements, allowing for precise control of sulfite oxidation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If excessive air is provided to the slurry to ensure complete oxidation of sulfites, then oxidation completeness is improved, but energy consumption increases and beneficial sulfite levels are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where a sulfite concentration sensor continuously measures the dissolved sulfite concentration in the slurry and transmits this information to a controller. The controller adjusts the air flow rate to the slurry based on the measured sulfite concentration, creating a closed-loop control system that optimizes oxidation while maintaining beneficial sulfite levels and reducing energy consumption compared to excessive air supply.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the operating parameter (air flow rate) based on the measured sulfite concentration. By adjusting the air flow rate according to actual sulfite levels rather than using a fixed excessive flow rate, the system achieves complete oxidation when needed while conserving energy and maintaining beneficial sulfite levels when oxidation is not required.
2Reliability
If excessive air is provided to oxidize all sulfites to sulfates, then sulfite oxidation is improved, but measurement precision is required to avoid loss of beneficial sulfites
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a feedback control mechanism where the sulfite concentration sensor provides continuous measurement data to the controller. This feedback loop enables precise control of the oxidation process by adjusting air flow based on actual sulfite concentration, thereby achieving reliable sulfite oxidation while maintaining the ability to preserve beneficial sulfite levels through accurate measurement and responsive control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual or mechanical estimation methods for sulfite concentration with an automated sensor-based measurement system. The sulfite concentration sensor provides accurate, real-time measurements that are processed by a controller, substituting imprecise mechanical judgment with precise instrumental measurement and automated control.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables precise control of sulfite oxidation, reducing energy consumption and maintaining beneficial sulfite levels to enhance sulfur dioxide absorption, thereby improving the efficiency of the desulfurization process.
Implementation Method 1
difficult to measure or estimate the dissolved sulfite concentration
Implementation Method 2
the sulfur dioxide reacts with water to produce sulfites (SO3−2). The sulfites further react with oxygen coming from aeration air bubbled into the slurry to produce sulfates (SO3−4). This process may be referred to as forced oxidation.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for controlling oxidation of sulfites in a slurry. The system includes a tank having an inlet for receiving a slurry used in wet flue gas desulfurization. The tank also includes an inlet for receiving a gas. The inlet for receiving the gas is configured so that at least a portion of the gas received in the tank is dispersed through at least a portion of the slurry received in the tank. A sensor is configured to measure a sulfite concentration S1 of the slurry received in the tank. In some embodiments, the sensor is a sulfite analyzer. In other embodiments, the sensor is a virtual analyzer. The system includes a controller. Software executing on the controller generates a signal indicative of an adjustment of a flow rate of gas into the tank based at least in part on the sulfite concentration S1.