Retention of sulfur and nitrogen oxides from the exhaust gases by radiolysis, a modern method of environmental protection

Industry, especially the power industry, is a great generator of gaseous pollutants (SOx, NOx, CO2, CO). The oxides are responsible for the 'acid rains' which have a great negative impact on the environment, human beings and animals, while CO2 emissions contribute to the increase of the greenhouse effect. Retention of the sulfur and nitrogen oxides from the exhaust gases can be carried out either by conventional methods (using chemical adsorbents) or by non-conventional ones (radiolysis). Recently, non-conventional methods have bee given priority, including exhaust gas irradiation with an accelerated electron beam as a more efficient alternative to the gas desulfurization. In order to increase the efficiency of the accelerated electron beam injected into the exhaust gas, the effect of microwave utilization has been investigated. The company S.C. ICPET S.A.-Bucuresti, in cooperation with INFLPR-Bucuresti, investigated the retention by radiolysis of the sulfur and nitrogen oxides from a synthetic mixture of exhaust gases in an installation developed in the laboratory by means of accelerated electron beams, microwaves and by the accelerated electron beams and microwave combined. The paper presents the results obtained in the laboratory experiments and the advantages of radiolysis in comparison with the chemical conventional methods, namely: simultaneous removal of SO2 and NOx, solid by-products that can be used as fertilizers in agriculture, simple technologies that do not imply catalysts or adsorbents, no waste waters. (authors)