Utilization of Waste Dolomites from the Production of Glass Beads for Desulfurization of Fluidized Bed Boilers

Abstract

It is shown in this paper that the waste originating from the production of dolomite beads (rocailles), which has so far been mainly landfilled, is suitable for the flue gas desulfurization. The finding is based on laboratory tests of reactivity used in assessments of the desulfurization in fluid boilers burning brown coal at temperatures around 850 °C, as well as on the subsequent practical application. The laboratory findings have been operationally tested and validated in the application of about 2000 tons of this waste. The procedure met all the standards in the field of waste utilization in terms of the environmental impact within the dry flue gas desulfurization. Results show that the waste substance used is able to fully replace commonly applied limestone. In effect, this application can save significant amounts of raw materials, reduce the amount of emitted carbon dioxide associated with flue gas desulphurization, as well as decrease landfilled quantities of the by-products.