Reliability of flue gas desulphurisation installations - the essential condition of efficient air pollution control

In order to minimise the adverse effects of SO2 and SO3 on the environment, many power plants and industrial facilities use flue gas desulphurisation (FGD) scrubbers to remove SO2 and SO3 from combustion gases. The conditions within a scrubber and accompanying installations are very severe and cause corrosion problems for common engineering materials. Failures impend over the environment for lengthy periods. This paper describes recent experience with corrosion and new construction materials of full-scale wet FGD systems. Materials description includes advantages and disadvantages, application areas, testing methods and relative costs of various materials.