Comprehensive sulfation model verified for T–T sorbent clusters during flue gas desulfurization at moderate temperatures

An empirical sulfation model for T–T sorbent clusters was developed based on amassed experimental results under moderate temperatures (300–800 °C). In the model, the reaction rate is a function of clusters mass, SO2 concentration, CO2 concentration, calcium conversion and temperature. The smaller pore volume partly results in a lower reaction rate at lower temperatures. The exponent on SO2 concentration is 0.88 in the rapid reaction stage and then decreases gradually as reaction progresses. The exponent on the fraction of the unreacted calcium is 1/3 in the first stage and then increases significantly in the second stage. The CO2 concentration has a negative influence on SO2 removal, especially for the temperature range of 400–650 °C, which should be avoided to achieve a high effective calcium conversion. The sulfation model has been verified for the T–T sorbent clusters and has also been applied to CaO particles. Over extensive reaction conditions, the predictions agree well with experimental data.