Modelling and simulation of condensation phenomena of acid gases in an industrial chimney

Eric Serris (1, 2, 3, 4) , Michel Cournil (1, 2, 4) , Jérôme Peultier (5)

1 SPIN-ENSMSE - Centre Sciences des Processus Industriels et Naturels
2 LPMG-EMSE - Laboratoire des Procédés en Milieux Granulaires
3 ProcESS-ENSMSE - Département Procédés et évolution des systèmes avec solides
4 GENERIC-ENSMSE - Département Géochimie, environnement, écoulement, réacteurs industriels et cristallisation
5 CRMC

Coal power stations as well as waste incinerators produce humid acid gases which condensate in industrial chimneys. These condensates may cause corrosion of the internal cladding made of stainless steels, nickel base alloys or non metallic materials. In the aim of polluting emission reduction and material optimal choice, it is necessary to determine all the phenomena which occur throughout the chimney such as condensation and dissolution of acid gases (in this particular case, sulphur dioxide SO₂). The production of energy from fossil fuels (coal, petroleum, natural gas, etc.) brings about the emission of gas containing sulphur compounds (SO₂, SO₃) as well as chlorine and fluorine compounds. To avoid this atmospheric pollution and its harmful effects (acid rains, impact on the health) due to hydrochloric, sulphuric and hydrofluoric acids produced in the presence of air, it is necessary to steam these flue gases. Nevertheless, a considerable quantity of residual acid gases remains in the gas discharge which also contains large amounts of water vapour. Thus, condensation may occur and by the way an acid attack of the internal cladding of the chimney. This results in high costs of maintenance and a reduction of their structural stability. The knowledge of the phenomena of heat and mass transfer during the condensation of these acid gases in chimney is essential for their conception and materials choice.

Mots clés: modelling; polluting emission; mass and heat transfer; industrial chimney; acid gases

Domaines: Génie des procédés

Eric Serris, Michel Cournil, Jérôme Peultier. Modelling and simulation of condensation phenomena of acid gases in an industrial chimney. XI° Congrès de la Société Française de Génie des Procédés. Des réponses industrielles pour une société en mutation., Oct 2007, Saint Etienne, France. pp.ISBN=2-910239-70-5. ⟨hal-00451762⟩