In the 1970s, power plant emissions from southern and central Europe began impacting Scandinavian forests. As a result, regulations took effect in countries like Germany restricting the emission of sulfur dioxide, the primary component of acid rain.

The major type of control installed to reduce sulfur dioxide is wet flue-gas desulfurization (FGD), although there are many types of reagents that can be used in FGD systems. One common method uses a limestone slurry that reacts with sulfur dioxide to form calcium sulfite and carbon dioxide; in some cases, the FGD system further oxidizes the calcium sulfite to produce marketable gypsum, a material often used in drywall in other products. An FGD can also use lime or magnesium hydroxide to scrub out the SO₂.

STEAG began operating its FGD pilot project in 1968, giving us over 4 million hours of experience with the technology. Since then, our SO₂ removal rate has been 95%. We have provided engineering and consulting services for over 27,000 MW of FGD capacity, more than 25,000 MW of which were FGD retrofits.

Whether you need a lime or limestone system, dry sorbent or ammonia injection system, STEAG can work with you and your project