Sulfur Trioxide and Sulfuric Acid Flue Gas Testing
Geosyntec’s client, a large Eastern utility, plans to burn higher sulfur coals in the future, and the fuel change has the potential to increase sulfur trioxide (SO3) and sulfuric acid (H2SO4) concentrations in the flue gas. Besides impacting air emissions, the acid gases could increase equipment corrosion and pluggage in the air preheater (APH) through condensation of sulfuric acid and sulfate salts. Previous test results from a third party stack tester for SO3 and H2SO4 concentrations in the flue gas were inconsistent and appeared to be biased low. To meet their goals and regulatory requirements, the utility retained Geosyntec to assist in the follow-up round of stack testing in determining accurate SO3 and H2SO4 concentrations across the scrubber.
