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Abstract

A system for removing particulate, sulfur dioxide, nitrogenous oxides and other condensables from the flue gas of a coal, lignite, or other solid fuel combustor. The system can combine biomass filtration, anaerobic digestion, steam absorption refrigeration, and heat exchangers to minimize parasitic energy consumption, solid and liquid waste disposal and interference with combustion efficiency, while achieving near total reduction of contaminants without regard to sulfur or ash content of fuel. Gases at the exit of a multiclone of a fuel-combustor enter a waste heat boiler, generating low pressure steam that drives a steam absorption chiller. The flue gas which still contains small particulate material pass through a moving belt system conveying a mat of chopped biomass that can be impregnated with bacteria that feed on nitrogenous oxides. The mat is sufficiently thick and moist to entrap the remaining solids and smoke in the exhaust stream. The particulate-free flue gas passes through a staged heat exchanger which can utilize ambient air, pond water, and the refrigerated water from the steam absorption chiller to condense the water vapor in the exhaust stream. Sulfur oxides exits the flue gas stream with the condensed water vapor which can be processed in an anaerobic digester. Methanogenic bacteria within the digester can convert the mat and the acidic condensate into a biogas, a combination of methane and carbon dioxide, and plant growth media.

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First Claim