Pollution Control relies on nickel alloys
Flue gas desulphurisation (FGD) is the removal of the sulphur oxides from gaseous products produced by the combustion of fossil fuels. FGD pollution control systems for fossil plants rely heavily on nickel alloys for resistance to general corrosion, pitting, and crevice corrosion. Absorption of sulphur dioxide gas and chloride contamination results in aggressive low pH, high chloride environments. Generally, nickel alloys are used in environments with lower pH, higher chloride content, and higher temperature where stainless steels and non-metallic linings have failed. Energy conservation and the burning of low sulphur fuels in place of high-sulphur fuels have played a part in achieving reduction in total pollution, but sulphur oxide capture technology is still necessary.
The following article describes the wet scrubbing process, the corrosion mechanisms in FGD equipment and the selection of nickel containing materials.
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