What is desulfurization in power plants?
With the increasing awareness of environmental protection, power plant desulfurization technology has become one of the hot topics on the Internet in the past 10 days. This article will introduce in detail the definition, principles, technical methods and related data of desulfurization in power plants to help readers fully understand this environmentally friendly technology.
1. Definition of desulfurization in power plants

Desulfurization in power plants refers to the process of removing sulfur dioxide (SO₂) produced during coal-fired power generation through technical means. Sulfur dioxide is one of the main components of air pollution and can cause environmental problems such as acid rain and haze. The application of desulfurization technology effectively reduces sulfur dioxide emissions and is of great significance to environmental protection.
2. Principles of desulfurization in power plants
Desulfurization technology mainly converts sulfur dioxide in flue gas into other substances or directly removes it through chemical or physical methods. Common desulfurization principles include wet desulfurization, dry desulfurization and semi-dry desulfurization. The following is a comparison of three desulfurization methods:
| Desulfurization method | Principle | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wet desulfurization | Use limestone slurry to react with SO₂ in flue gas to generate gypsum | High desulfurization efficiency (up to more than 95%) | Complex equipment and high investment costs |
| Dry desulfurization | React with SO₂ by spraying dry powder desulfurizer (such as lime powder) | Simple equipment and low operating costs | Desulfurization efficiency is low (about 70%) |
| Semi-dry desulfurization | Combining wet and dry methods, spraying atomized desulfurizer to react with SO₂ | Desulfurization efficiency is medium (about 80%) | Equipment maintenance requirements are high |
3. Technical methods for desulfurization in power plants
At present, the following technical methods are mainly used for desulfurization in power plants:
1.Limestone-gypsum wet desulfurization: This is the most widely used desulfurization technology. It absorbs SO₂ in the flue gas through limestone slurry and generates gypsum by-product. This technology has high desulfurization efficiency, but equipment investment and operating costs are high.
2.Desulfurization by spray drying: It is a semi-dry desulfurization method. The desulfurizer is sprayed into the flue gas through a spray device, and reacts with SO₂ to generate dry solid particles. This technology is suitable for small and medium-sized power plants.
3.Circulating fluidized bed desulfurization: Efficient desulfurization is achieved by reacting the desulfurizer (such as limestone) in the circulating fluidized bed boiler with SO₂. The technology is suitable for coal-fired power plants.
4. Environmental benefits of desulfurization in power plants
The application of desulfurization technology has significantly reduced sulfur dioxide emissions. The following is the environmental protection data of desulfurization of power plants in my country in recent years:
| Year | Sulfur dioxide emissions (10,000 tons) | Desulfurization efficiency (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 2000 | 85 |
| 2020 | 1200 | 90 |
| 2023 | 800 | 95 |
As can be seen from the table, with the continuous advancement of desulfurization technology, the sulfur dioxide emissions from my country's power plants have dropped significantly, and the desulfurization efficiency has increased year by year.
5. Future development trends of desulfurization in power plants
In the future, power plant desulfurization technology will develop in the direction of high efficiency, low cost, and resource utilization. Here are some possible trends:
1.Intelligent desulfurization: Optimize the desulfurization process through artificial intelligence and big data technology, improve desulfurization efficiency and reduce energy consumption.
2.Recycling of by-products: By-products such as gypsum produced during the desulfurization process are used in the production of building materials to achieve resource recycling.
3.Multi-pollutant collaborative control: Develop integrated technology for simultaneous desulfurization, denitrification, and dust removal to reduce comprehensive treatment costs.
In summary, desulfurization in power plants is an important technology for reducing air pollution and protecting the environment. With continuous technological innovation, desulfurization efficiency will be further improved and greater contributions will be made to global environmental protection.
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