By cleaning flue gases, the amount of environmentally hazardous emissions can be sharply reduced. Mist elimination from Munters is a part of this process. One example of application of this technology are the coal-fired power plants operated by the Chinese state.
In China, many power plants are fired with coal, which has resulted in problems with air pollution. Sulfur emissions from power plants result in what is called acid rain and is a much debated environmental problem in many countries. The Chinese authorities have therefore introduced stringent regulations to reduce this type of emissions.
This flue-gas cleaning process uses the mist elimination technology developed by Munters. Several successful projects have been conducted in China in which the flue gas from coal power plants was cleaned. The process, which is called desulfurization, takes place in a process tower through which the flue gases pass before going out through the plant's chimneys.
As a first step, the contaminated flue gases are sprayed with a mixture of water and chemicals that bind the contaminants. Through a combination of speed and friction, Munters’ mist eliminators then capture the contaminated drops which fall down and are collected in the bottom of the process tower. Mist elimination also includes a cleaning plant. This means that contaminated water and sledge can be removed from the mist eliminators, thus keeping them clean for the best efficiency.
Cleaning via desulfurization is very efficient. More than 90 percent of the contaminating substances are eliminated in this process.