Thermo Scientific Sulfur Trioxide CEMS Development

By Jeff Socha and Anand Mamidipudi, Thermo Fisher Scientific

The formation of SO₃ in a coal-fired power plant has many undesirable consequences on the plant’s equipment and emissions, presenting the need for a reliable and accurate monitoring method to help minimize adverse effects. High concentrations of SO₃ can cause corrosion, fouling and plugging of plant equipment, forcing replacement of hardware and stricter limitations on load. SO₃ also reacts with moisture in the stack to form fine droplets of sulfuric acid at the stack exit; these droplets scatter light and cause a visible “blue plume” that leads to an unfavorable perception of the plant’s environmental impact.