Acid gases

SOLVAir® is a sodium-based technological solution designed for the control of acid gas emissions. It is known as a BAT (Best Available Technique) for the treatment of gases in the BREF of various industries.

Installation: SOLVAir® technology is a simple and flexible process that requires very little assembly time and delivers excellent results right from the start.

Adaptability: Switching from an existing system to one with SOLVAir® is quick and requires minimal investment (CAPEX). It is also easily adaptable to future emission regulations which are regularly changing.

Safety: The main active compound of SOLVAir® technology is sodium bicarbonate. It is a very safe reagent, without any risk to the health of the employees or to the installation.

Sustainability: Thanks to its high performance, less reagent is consumed, less waste is generated, and less plume of smoke is generated.

Compatibility: Compatible with all types of DeNOx systems: SNCR, SCR and catalytic filtration systems.

Energy efficiency: As a dry technology, energy recovery can be enhanced. For this reason, SOLVAir® technology has been classified as an efficient solution for energy savings by the “Solar Impulse Foundation”.  

Economic and operational efficiency: Operating costs are low thanks to high efficiency and lower maintenance demands.

Experience: SOLVAir® has more than 30 years of experience in gas treatment. It has helped multiple industries around the world to meet emission standards effectively.

Biomass: Gas treatment in biomass-fired power plants will depend on the type of biomass used. For example, during the combustion of eucalyptus forest biomass, HCl is generated and must be neutralised.

Cement: SOLVAir® sodium bicarbonate makes it easier for cement producers to use alternative fuels, such as industrial wastes and residues. These raw materials, whose composition is not constant, pose a challenge in emission control.

Ceramics: Acid gases, especially HF, are emitted during the production of floor and wall tiles, bricks and expanded clay, depending on the additives used.

Steel: The raw materials used in the sintering line contain chlorine and sulphur, generating SOx and HCl emissions.

Non-ferrous metallurgy: In the non-ferrous metals sector, emissions of acid gases (HCl and SOx) are generated during combustion or at specific stages, due to the variety of processes involved. These processes include the recovery of aluminium, copper or lead, refining and recycling of precious or semi-precious metals (vanadium, molybdenum, gold or platinum).

Oil refining: Crude oil refineries generate SOx-containing waste effluent gases, the emissions of which must be reduced to comply with local laws.

Glass: In the production of flat glass, container glass and special glass, dust and acid gas emissions are generated. These can be treated very effectively with SOLVAir®, which also allows the waste to be reused as raw material.

Mineral wool: In the rock wool manufacturing process, sulphur-containing additives are used, resulting in SOx emissions.

Energy recovery from waste: This industry is subject to the strictest emission limits due to the variability of the waste incinerated. Highly efficient and cost-effective gas treatment is essential to ensure compliance with environmental regulations.

Reduction of waste generated: SOLVAir® reduces the amount of waste generated by half compared to other gas treatment solutions. Thus, it minimises both the costs and the environmental impact of the process.

Efficiency: SOLVAir® maintains its efficiency over a very wide temperature range, making it versatile and adaptable to various industrial processes.

Dry technology: As no water is used to scrub the gases, the waste heat is exploited. Thus, the energy efficiency of the plant is optimised and the need to manage liquid effluents is eliminated.

Reuse of waste: In sectors such as the glass industry, the waste generated can be reused as raw material. This promotes a circular production model.

Each sector and industrial plant requires tailor-made solutions for gas treatment. We conduct studies to guarantee optimum results. Therefore, we provide technical advice throughout the full process of installation and optimisation of gas treatment systems.

We can give support in:

Calculations of sodium bicarbonate consumption and waste generation.

In-plant tests to corroborate previous calculations.

Upgrading of existing plants to adapt to new emission limits.

Studies to improve the efficiency and total cost of gas treatment.

Collaboration with engineering companies to share best practices and designs for the use of sodium bicarbonate.