What equipment is primarily used to reduce sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions?

Wet and dry scrubbers are designed specifically to reduce sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions from industrial processes. These systems work by incorporating a scrubbing liquid or solid material that chemically reacts with the sulfur dioxide in flue gases to neutralize and capture it.

In a wet scrubber, the gas stream passes through a liquid solution (often containing alkaline substances) that absorbs and reacts with the SO2, effectively removing it from the gas. The liquid is then treated to remove the captured sulfur compounds before being recirculated or disposed of.

Dry scrubbers operate similarly but use dry reagents that interact with the sulfur dioxide. The resulting by-products are then removed from the gas stream, further ensuring that sulfur dioxide emissions are significantly lowered.

These systems are crucial in meeting environmental regulations and reducing air pollution, making them the preferred choice for SO2 emission control in various industries.

The other equipment mentioned, while useful for managing different types of air pollutants, do not specifically target sulfur dioxide. For instance, filter bags are primarily used for particulate control, electrostatic precipitators focus on removing particulates by charging them and collecting them on plates, and stack dampers regulate airflow but do not proactively remove gases like sulfur dioxide from emissions.