Structured catalytic cartridges for SO2 oxidation in flue gases of coal-fired powerplants

Abstract Structured glass-fiber catalysts (GFC) are considered for application in the process of oxidation of endogenous SO 2 directly in the media of flue gases from coal-fired powerplants. Such oxidation may be used for conditioning of flue gases to improve the efficiency of ash particulates in electrostatic precipitators. Comparison of Pt-based and vanadia-based GFC showed the much better performance by Pt/GFCs, having much higher activity and significantly lower ignition temperature (~300 °C). The best performance is demonstrated by Pt/GFC synthesized by high-temperature synthesis method in combination with spraying of active component precursor solution on the glass-fiber support surface instead of conventional impregnation. Application of structured GFC cartridges makes possible to apply them directly inside the flue gas duct with appropriate pressure drop. High permeability of such cartridges makes possible to apply them in the gas fluid contaminated with ash particulates with minimized risk of clogging. Beyond the mentioned advantages, application of GFC may be useful for resolution of related environmental problems: incineration of polyaromatic compounds and mercury-containing organic substances in flue gases.