Innovative process for sulphur recovery from waste incineration flue gases: production of marketable sodium bisulphite solution

Abstract

This study presents an innovative process for recovering sulphur from hazardous waste incineration flue gases, designed to produce a marketable sodium bisulphite solution while ensuring complete SO₂ removal. This new process is characterized by a double absorption strategy at two different pH levels. The first step, at an acidic pH, generates the desired bisulphite solution, while the second step, at a basic pH, produces the sulphite solution for recycling into the first step and ensures total SO₂ removal. The process's performance and feasibility were evaluated on a laboratory scale using a batch reactor with synthetic gas. The parametric study focused on the initial sulphite concentration in the absorption solution and the reactor temperature. A removal efficiency exceeding 95% was achieved across all initial sulphite concentrations and temperature ranges, when the pH was maintained above 6. At pH 5, where bisulphites are the predominant sulphur species, the removal efficiency remained substantial at approximately 70%. The oxidation of sulphites/bisulphites by oxygen in the flue gases was minimal, with less than 5% conversion to sulphate. Additionally, pH-controlled experiments were conducted to optimize plant start-up procedures. For the basic reactor, starting with water and adjusting the pH to 8 during SO₂ absorption effectively minimized sodium hydroxide consumption. In contrast, for the acidic reactor at pH 5, initiating the process with a concentrated sulphite solution resulted in more stable absorption rates. These findings underscore the process's potential for efficient sulphur recovery and highlight the importance of pH management in optimizing operational stability and chemical consumption.

Keywords: Flue gas treatment; gas absorption process; sodium bisulphite production; sulphur dioxide removal; sulphur recovery.