Characterization of the reactivity of limestones with SO2 in a fluidized bed reactor

The reaction between SO2 and calcined limestone particles has been studied in a fluidized bed combustor. Measurements of sorbent reactivity with SO2 were made for small batches of limestone injected into the combustor. Simultaneous continuous combustion of bituminous coal provided conditions like those of a boiler for study of the sulphation reaction. A semi‐empirical rate model of the CaO‐SO2 reaction has been developed. External mass transfer of SO2, diffusion within the particles and chemical reaction are taken into account. The limestone reactivity with SO2 is characterized by two parameters which are dependent on the temperature and sorbent particle size. A model for predicting the limestone requirements in a fluidized bed boiler has been developed. Parameters from the batch experiments are included. The predictions for sulfur retention agree with the experimental results. In addition, effects of operating conditions (gas velocity, recycle, limestone particle size) on the retention of SO2 were simulated using the model.