Abstract

The chemical reaction between sorbent particles and sulfur dioxide (SO₂) is used to remove SO₂ from stack gases. The addition of powdered limestone to coal in the fluidized bed coal combustor generates calcium oxide (CaO) which reacts with the SO₂ to form CaSO₃ at low temperatures and CaSO₄ at temperatures above 700 K. The utilization of the limestone is known to be low (about 20%) because the pores of the CaO plug as the product forms. This research was conducted to examine the reaction between CaO and SO₂ to elucidate the rate-controlling processes, to generate CaO particles with a more open pore structure, and to develop techniques for single particle measurements at elevated temperatures.

© 1994 Optical Society of America