Power Generation

Much of the world continues to produce energy using coal-fired power plants. The treatment of priority pollutants such as sulfur dioxides, nitrates, nitrites, particulates and toxic metals are becoming more common. With the short timeline to meet US EPA Effluent Limitation Guidelines (ELG) starting in November 2018, power plants are challenged to install and optimize multiple treatment steps to meet surface water discharge requirements for Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD) wastewater. Coal burning power plants produce solid waste, including bottom and y ash and SOx that must be removed prior to discharge into the environment. The use of wet scrubbers typically removes up to 90% of the SOx. Due to variability of FGD wastewater
composition, many steps are needed to remove toxic contaminants prior to reuse or discharge.

To meet ELG, the wastewater must be treated to reduce key contaminants, including TDS, BOD/COD, nitrites and nitrates, and selected heavy metals such as Mercury, Selenium, Arsenic and others.

Treatment and discharge of wastewater effectively, efficiently and in an economical manner is a challenge that Fluid Technology Solutions, (FTS) Inc. has taken to the next level.

Conventional Treatment Technologies

Multiple treatment steps have been implemented
to remove pollutants from wastewater blowdown
from the FGD scrubber system. These include:

• Calcium Sulfate Desaturation
• Primary Clarification
• Equalization
• Trace Metals Precipitation / Suspended
Solids removal
• Secondary Clarification
• Filtration
• Solids Concentration or Dewatering