Uncertainty and disturbance estimator-based model predictive control for wet flue gas desulphurization system

Wet flue gas desulphurization technology is widely used in the industrial process for its capability of efficient pollution removal.The desulphurization control system,however,is subjected to complex reaction mechanisms and severe disturbances,which make for it difficult to achieve certain practically relevant control goals including emission and economic performances as well as system robustness.To address these challenges,a new robust control scheme based on uncertainty and disturbance estimator(UDE)and model predictive control(MPC)is proposed in this paper.The UDE is used to estimate and dynamically compensate acting disturbances,whereas MPC is deployed for optimal feedback regulation of the resultant dynamics.By viewing the system nonlinearities and unknown dynamics as disturbances,the proposed control framework allows to locally treat the considered nonlinear plant as a linear one.The obtained simulation results confirm that the utilization of UDE makes the tracking error negligibly small,even in the presence of unmodeled dynamics.In the conducted comparison study,the introduced control scheme outperforms both the standard MPC and PID(proportional-integral-derivative)control strategies in terms of transient performance and robustness.Furthermore,the results reveal that a lowpass-filter time constant has a significant effect on the robustness and the convergence range of the tracking error.

Preparation of α-High Strength Gypsum from Flue Gas Desulfurization Gypsum Pretreated by Hydrothermal-aging Method

The synthesis of α-calcium sulfate hemihydrate (α-CSH) from flue gas desulfurization (FGD)gypsum is a good way to realize the comprehensive utilization of FGD gypsum. To obtainα-CSH with the satisfactory performances, a facile hydrothermal-aging pretreatment process for FGD gypsum raw materials was proposed, where FGD gypsum was firstly hydrothermally converted to α-CSH whiskers, and α-CSH whiskers were further hydrated to synthesize CaSO4·2H2O (CSD) by aging under the regulation of N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide (MBA). The effects of aging time, MBA addition, aging temperature, and pH on the morphology of the synthesized CSD were investigated. The synthesized CSD crystals exhibit highly uniform prismatic morphology with the length of ca 100μm and the whiteness of 91.56%. The regulation mechanism of MBA was also illustrated. The synthesized CSD crystals with prismatic morphology were further used as raw materials to synthesize the short columnar α-CSH. The absolute dry compressive strength of paste prepared from the short columnar α-CSH is 40.85 MPa, which reaches α40 strength grade.

Multiobjective economic model predictive control using utopia-tracking for the wet flue gas desulphurization system

Efficient control of the desulphurization system is challenging in maximizing the economic objective while reducing the SO_(2) emission concentration. The conventional optimization method is generally based on a hierarchical structure in which the upper optimization layer calculates the steady-state results and the lower control layer is responsible to drive the process to the target point. However, the conventional hierarchical structure does not take the economic performance of the dynamic tracking process into account. To this end, multi-objective economic model predictive control(MOEMPC) is introduced in this paper, which unifies the optimization and control layers in a single stage. The objective functions are formulated in terms of a dynamic horizon and to balance the stability and economic performance. In the MOEMPC scheme, economic performance and SO_(2) emission performance are guaranteed by tracking a set of utopia points during dynamic transitions. The terminal penalty function and stabilizing constraint conditions are designed to ensure the stability of the system. Finally, an optimized control method for the stable operation of the complex desulfurization system has been established. Simulation results demonstrate that MOEMPC is superior over another control strategy in terms of economic performance and emission reduction, especially when the desulphurization system suffers from frequent flue gas disturbances.

Research on flue gas desulphurization with two sorbents by water spray in activated reactor

The experimental results of flue gas desulphurization with caustic lime andhydrated lime activated by water spraying in a desulphurization reactor are presented. The effectsof Ca/S molar ratio, approach to saturation of flue gas, SO_2 concentration and gas velocity onsulfur retention efficiency and calcium utilization rate are investigated. Desulphurizationcharacteristics of the two sorbents are compared. The mechanism of improving desulphurizationefficiency by water spraying is analyzed. The results show that the activities of two sorbents areimproved obviously by humidification with water spray and the caustic lime has better applicationprospect because of cheaper cost.

Lignite oxidative desulphurization Notice 1.Process condition selection

The process of lignite desulphurization via its treatment by an oxidant(air or air–steam mixture)has been studied.The research objective was useful determination of steam application in oxidative lignite desulphurization.It has been proved that the water steam should be included in the oxidant composition to increase the hydrogen sulphide and combustible constituent content in the gases obtained during the processes under research.The impact of factors which affect the reactions between solid(in our case–lignite)and gaseous reagent(oxidant,i.e.air and or air–steam mixture)upon the research process has been investigated,if these reactions occur in the kinetic area.Such factors are linear rate of oxidant movement and coal grain size.The values of oxidant movement linear rate and coal grain size,which the reaction transfer from pyrite sulphur and organic content of lignite from diffusion into kinetic area occurs by,have been determined.Under these‘‘transfer’’conditions,the values of coefficients of oxidant mass transfer(β,m/s)as well as Sherwood criteria and boiling layer differences have been calculated.

Study on Desorbing Sulfur Dioxide from Citrate Solution by Ultrasonlficatlon

Using a sonochemical reactor designed by the authors,the process of removing sulfur dioxide from cit- rate solution simulating the flue gas desulfurization was studied.The influence of ultrasonic frequency,ultrasonic power,reaction temperature,stirring speed,inert gases,initial concentration of sulfur dioxide and concentration of citrate on the efficiency of sulfur dioxide desorption,the stability of citrate solution and the concentration of sulfate radical was examined systematically.By comparing the desorption of sulfur dioxide with and without ultrasonifica- tion,it was concluded that(1)lower ultrasonic frequency results in a better degassing efficiency;(2)the use of ul- trasonification in desorbing sulfur dioxide from citrate solution improves the desorbing efficiency in some condi- tions,without changing the essence of chemical reactions;(3)sparging inert gas into the liquid can lower the vis- cosity of solution and the cavitating threshold,and raise the desorption efficiency.These results demonstrate a technical way for deep desorption of sulfur dioxide and provide the fundamental data for future industrial disposal of sulfur dioxide.

Absorption of sulfur dioxide using membrane and enhancement of desorption with ultrasound

The absorption of sulfur dioxide in simulated flue gas by using liquid-containing membrane was investigated.The process of sulfur dioxide desorption from the absorbent of citrate solution was explored.The influence of the gas-phase,and the liquid-phase on absorption efficiency of sulfur dioxide and the influence of ultrasonic frequency,ultrasonic power and stirring speed on desorption efficiency of sulfur dioxide were examined.The results indicate that the absorption efficiency decreases with increasing flow velocity and sulfur dioxide content in gas-phase,and can be improved by increasing the concentration and the pH value of citrate solution.It is concluded that lower ultrasonic frequency results in a better degassing efficiency.The using of ultrasound in desorbing sulfur dioxide from citrate solution improves the desorbing efficiency in the some conditions,without changing the essence of chemical reaction.

Effect of the surface properties of an activated coke on its desulphurization performance

Commercial coke was modified by H2O2 and/or NH3.H2O to obtain an activated coke containing additional oxygen functional groups and/or nitrogen functional groups. The aim of the modification was to enhance the SO2 adsorption capacity of the activated coke. Several techniques, including total nitrogen content measurements, SO2 adsorption, XPS and FTIR analysis, were used to characterize the coke samples. The XPS and FTIR spectra suggest the existence of -CONH2 groups in the H2O2 plus ammonia modified coke. The SO2 adsorption capacity of an activated coke increases slightly with an increase in H2O2 concentration during the modification process. The desulphurization performance of a modified coke is considerably enhanced by increasing the treatment temperature during ammonia modification. The amount of nitrogen in a coke modified by H2O2 plus NH3.H2O is the highest, and the SO2 adsorption capacity of the coke is also the highest (89.9 mg/gC). The NH3.H2O (only) modified sample has lower nitrogen content and lower desulphurization capacity (79.9 mg/gC). H2O modification gives the lowest SO2 adsorption capacity (28.9 mg/gC). The H2O2 pre-treatment is beneficial for the introduction of nitrogen onto the surface of a sample during the following ammonia treatment process.

Study of oxidative desulphurization process of coal with different metamorphism degrees

The oxidative desulphurization process of coal with different metamorphism degrees treated by an air-steam mixture has been studied.It has been shown that the pyrite present in black coal and anthracite is oxidized with the sulphur dioxide formation,and the process chemical mechanism does not depend on the quality of organic matter.The medium-metamorphized coal,capable of turning into a plastic state and cake in the range of investigated temperatures(350～450 ℃),is desulphurized with the greatest difficulty.The chemical mechanism dealing with the transformations of pyritic sulphur present in brown coal differs from similar processes taking place in black coal and anthracite,because FeS2 is converted with hydrogen sulphide formation at desulphurization.

Experimental Research on Refining Slag Systems Containing BaO for Ultra-Low Sulphur Steel

The experimental research on refining slag systems for ultra-low sulphur steel was carried out in a 10 kg induction furnace.It was proved that sulphur element in molten steel can be removed to less than 5×10^(-6) by adding CaO-Al_2O_3-SiO_2-MgO-CaF_2 slag on the surface of molten steel and feeding CaO-BaO-CaF2 wire into molten steel.And L_s,which is the coefficient of sulphur between slag and molten steel,that is ω(s)/ω[s],increases by increasing I(I = ωBaO/ωCaO).When I=5/3,L_s can be up to its maximum of 633.The CaSi is effective for deep desulphurization,especially when it is added to the slag of wire feeding.

Effects from changes in pulp nature after ultrasonic conditioning on high-sulfur coal flotation

A study of the effects of the pulp nature on desulphurization and de-ashing during high-sulfur coal flotation is described in this paper. Highlighted are the use of a solution oxygen gauge, a pH value gauge and a surface tension gauge to investigate changes in the pulp nature related to changes in the oxygen content, the pH value and the interfacial tension. The temperature be- fore and after ultrasonic conditioning was also investigated. The results showed that ultrasonic conditioning resulted in a decrease in the oxygen content and the interracial tension and an increase in the pH value and the temperature of the pulp. The perfect index of flotation and the perfect index of desulphurization of fine coal increased by 25.19% and 18.03%, respectively, after the pulp was ultrasonically conditioned. This study shows that ultrasonic conditioning can change the pulp nature and enhance the degree of desulphurization during high-sulfur coal flotation.

Lignite oxidative desulphurization. Notice 2： effects of process parameters

The influence of main characteristics upon conversion directions of the lignite organic part during its oxidation desulphurization was studied. The optimum temperature values, the ratio oxidant ： raw material, and time of coal stay in the reaction zone, which provide the maximum degree of sulphur conversion and hydrogen sulphide content in desulphur- ization gases, were calculated. The process implemented under these conditions will decrease environment pollution by sulphur dioxide during further lignite burning at least to 55 %-60 % and utilize sulphur in coal in the form of desul- phurization gases with hydrogen sulphide content of 7 %. Such obtaining sulphur. The effect of the above three factors on the depth was studied. gases can be reprocessed by the known methods of and character of the coal organic matter transformation

Desulphurization during VIM Refining Ni-base Superalloy using CaO Crucible

The variation of S content during VIM refining Ni-base superalloy using CaO crucible was studied. It was foundthat the desulphurization process could not be carried out by only using CaO crucible. The role of Al additionto desulphurization was also studied. Combining with the results of XRD and composition analysis of the CaOcrucible, the mechanism of desulphurization was proposed. Thermodynamical calculation about the reaction betweenthe interface of CaO crucible and liquid metal has been discussed. This work indicated that under proper refiningtechnology the S content in the liquid Ni-base alloy could be reduced from 3×10-5 to 2×10-6~4×10-6.

Recovery of bismuth and antimony metals from pressure-leaching slag

The leaching behavior of metals from a pressure-leaching slag was investigated using a desulphurization-leaching-hydrolysis process for the recovery of bismuth and antimony.Various parameters were studied,including the amount of acid added,temperature,time,addition of NaCl and solid-liquid ratio in the leaching process.The experimental results show that the contents of bismuth and antimony are mostly enriched in the process of kerosene desulphurization.More than 98% Sb and 96% Bi are extracted under the determined conditions.In the process of hydrolysis,the precipitation rates of bismuth and antimony are 97.80% and 94.59%,respectively.Under the optimum experimental conditions,the recovery rate of bismuth and antimony can be up to 95.80% and 90.80%,respectively.

Cause Analysis and Countermeasure of Gypsum Rain in Coal-fired Power Plants

Focusing on the phenomenon of gypsum rain while wet desulphurization(WFGD) were adopted in coal fired power plant without GGH, the paper studied and put forward the solutions : (1) desulfurization facilities related equipment modification;(2) optimal operation of existing desulfurization facilities.

Effect of the Morphology of ZnO Support on the Desulfurization and Regeneration Performance of Ni/ZnO Catalyst

The Ni/ZnO desulfurization catalyst has been highly valued for its high desulfurization rate and low octane value loss. However, during the process of desulfurization, ZnO is prone to deactivation and the active component Ni is susceptible to agglomeration, which can affect the performance of the catalyst. In order to solve these problems, the modification of ZnO support has been extensively studied. The granular, short rod-shaped and nanowire-structured ZnO were synthesized by controlling the concentration of NaOH, and the desulfurization catalyst was prepared with ZnO serving as the support after loading of metallic Ni. The catalyst was characterized by X-ray diffraction, N2 adsorption-desorption, SEM, TEM and other analytical methods. The desulfurization performance of the catalyst was investigated with n-heptane - thiophene used as model compounds. Test results showed that the morphology and size of ZnO support has great influence on the desulfurization performance of the catalyst. Desulfurization catalyst prepared with nanowire-structured ZnO support has the best desulfurization performance, with its desulfurization rate reaching 98.2%. The result was achieved mainly due to the nanowire structure of ZnO support which could effectively restrain the agglomeration of metallic Ni on the surface and reduce the particle size of the active component of metallic Ni so as to improve its dispersion on the surface of the support. In addition, the nanowire structure can reduce the diffusion resistance of thiophene in the reaction process and provide a channel conducive to sulfur transfer and diffusion, which makes it perform well in the desulphurization reaction process and regeneration process.

Utilization of Thermally Treated Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD) Gypsum and Class-C Fly Ash (CFA) to Prepare CFA-Based Geopolymer

The feasibility of utilization of flue gas desulfurization （FGD） gypsum and Class-C fly ash （CFA） to prepare CFA-based geopolymer were studied. The results showed that geopolymer made from 90% CFA and 10% FGD gypsum （FGDG） which was thermally treated at 800 ℃ for 1 h obtained the better compressive strength of 37.0 MPa. The micro characteristics and structures of the geopolymer samples of CFA and CFA-FGDG were tested by XRD, FT-IR, and SEM-EDXA after these samples cured at 75 ℃ for 8 h followed by 23 ℃ for 28 d. Both the geopolymer samples of CFA and CFA-FGDG have significant asymmetric stretching of A1-O/Si-O bonds and Si-O-Si / Si-O-A1 bending band. In geopolymer sample of CFA-FGDG, a small quantity of lathy products probably being the ettringite wrapped over the spherical fly ash particle, and the concentration of sulfur is much more than that in geopolymer sample of CFA. It is indicated that FGD gypsum may react during alkali-activated and geopolymeric process.

Activation of Rejected Fly Ash Using Flue Gas Desulphurization (FGD) Sludge

Low-grade fly ash (rejected fly ash,rFA),a significant portion of the pulverized fuel ash (PFA) produced from coal-fired power plants and rejected from the ash classifying process,remains unused due to its high carbon content and large particle size (>45μm).But it is thought that the rejected ash may have potential uses in chemical stabilization/solidification (S/S) processes which need relatively lower strengths and a lower chemical reactivity.Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) sludge is a by-product of air pollution control equipment in coal fired power plants whose chemical composition is mainly gypsum.As there is no effective usage of both of these two materials,it is of interest to research on the possible activation of rFA using FGD.This paper presents experimental results of a study on the properties of rFA activated by the FGD in rFA-cement pastes.Different percentages of FGD were added into the mix to study the effects of the FGD on the reaction of the rFA blended cement pastes.The results show that FGD takes effect as an activator only at late curing ages.Adding Ca(OH) 2 enhances the effect of FGD on activating the hydration of rFA.Also,10% FGD by weight of rFA is the optimal addition in the rFA-cement pastes.The results of the compressive strength measurements correlate well with the porosity results.

Resource utilization of slag from desulphurization and slag skimming:A comprehensive recycling process of all components

In order to make the slag from desulphurization and slag skimming(SDSS)to be comprehensively recycled and utilized,a combined process of beneficiation and building materials preparation was proposed to recover iron from SDSS,meanwhile to apply the remaining slag tailings as cement admixture.From this process,three iron-rich products were recovered in stages by clean gravity-magnetic separation,slag tailings were left.Slag powder was prepared by ultrafine grinding of slag tailings.The stability,setting time and cement mortar strength of the slag tailings cements(STC)which were mixed with Portland cement and slag powder were studied respectively.The results showed that a proper overall performance still could be obtained at the slag powder content of 30%.Chemical composition analysis,X-ray diffraction(XRD)analysis,metallographic microscope and scanning electron microscope(SEM)analysis were employed to assess the characteristics of the SDSS and the products obtained from the whole process.The results indicated that the three iron-rich products could be used as a raw material for steelmaking and ironmaking and the relatively large amount of calcium silicate(C_(2)S)and tricalcium silicate(C_(3)S)in the slag tailings make the addition of slag powder into the Portland cement feasible.

Effects of Soluble Ions on Hydration of Calcined Flue Gas Desulphurization Gypsum

The influence of various water soluble cations(K^+,Na^+,Ca^2+,Mg^2+)on the hydration of calcined flue gas desulphurization gypsum was investigated.The results show that all cations but Ca^2+can accelerate the hydration of bassanite.The final crystal size is not largely influenced by different salts,except for Na^+,where the giant crystal with length of>130μm is observed.Current study clarifies the influence of different ions on the hydration of bassanite,which could provide sufficient guide for the pre-treatment of original flue gas desulphurization gypsum before actual application.