A novel process combining heterogeneous condensation of
water vapor and WFGD system to separate fine particles from
desulfurized flue gas is presented. Supersaturation was achieved
by means of adding steam into the particle growth region, which
was above the liquid phase inlet in desulfurization tower. The condensation
grown droplets are effectively removed by the wire
mesh demister. The results indicate that the initial particle number
concentration have an important influence on the effectiveness of
WFGD system for the removal of fine particles. Lower fine particle
removal efficiency is obtained when the initial particle number
concentration increases. The influence of inlet flue gas temperature
is related to whether steam is added. For the case without steam
addition, fine particles number concentration decreases with
increasing the temperature of inlet flue gas. However, in the case
of steam addition in the particle growth region, the removal efficiency
of fine particles is improved significantly, and it decreases
with increasing the temperature of inlet flue gas. The removal efficiency
of fine particles decreases as the temperature of desulfurization
liquid increases. In addition, the removal efficiency rises with
increasing amount of added steam. The improvement of number
concentration removal efficiencies of at least 40–60% can be attained
by adding 0.08 kg steam per Nm3 flue gas. Additionally, further
studies are necessary to provide theoretical basis for industrial
application by combining heterogeneous condensation of water
vapor and wet flue gas desulfurization (WFGD) system.