Design of Acid Production Facilities for Sulphur Dioxide Flue Gas from Non-Ferrous Metal Smelters
Introduction
Acid production is one of the most important processes in the non-ferrous metal smelting industry. It involves the conversion of sulphur dioxide (SO2) flue gas, produced as a by-product of the smelting process, into acid. The acid produced can be used in various industrial processes such as electroplating, printing, and leather finishing. Acid production facilities must be designed in such a way that they are efficient and cost effective. This paper outlines the design considerations that should be taken into account when designing acid production facilities for non-ferrous metal smelters.
Process Design
The design of the acid production process should consider the following factors:
1. Sulphur dioxide flue gas: The sulphur dioxide (SO2) flue gas must be scrubbed to remove particulates and other contaminants.
2. Chemical reaction: The scrubbed SO2 must be reacted with a base (usually caustic soda) to produce a sulphuric acid solution.
3. Catalyst selection: A catalyst, such as zinc oxide (ZnO), should be added to the reaction vessel to facilitate the reaction.
4. Product collection: The acid solution must be collected and stored in storage tanks.
5. Product quality control: The acid should be tested to ensure that it meets the quality standards set by the customer.
Equipment Design
The design of the acid production equipment should focus on the following:
1. Reactor design: The reaction vessel should be designed to ensure that the chemical reaction is carried out efficiently and that the desired product quality is achieved.
2. Piping and fittings: The piping and fittings should be designed to ensure that the product is transported efficiently and that there are no hazardous leakage points.
3. Cooling system: A cooling system should be included to ensure that the reaction temperature is maintained within optimum levels.
4. Monitoring and control systems: Monitoring and control systems should be included to ensure that the process is running safely and efficiently.
Conclusion
The design of acid production facilities for non-ferrous metal smelters is a complex and detailed process. Appropriate consideration should be given to the process design, equipment design, and monitoring and control systems when designing such a facility. By following these design considerations, it is possible to achieve a facility that is efficient and cost effective.
