The development of large, high power electron beam sources for use in the processing of combustion flue gases

The simultaneous removal of SOx and NOx from combustion flue gases by means of electron beam processing has been successfully demonstrated. However, the use of this technology in commercial power plants depends critically upon the availability of large, high power (i.e., up to 1,000 kW), low energy (i.e., 300 kV) electron beam processors that are reliable, efficient and cost effective. Utilizing its BroadBeam electron source, RPC Industries has developed dual head modules up to 2500 mm wide with the required beam power for the efficient processing of combustion flue gases. Units of this size and capacity are already in commercial operation and additional modules are under construction. The operating principles and performance features of these BroadBeam processors are described, with special emphasis on those aspects of the system that relate directly to stack gas applications. (author)