SIMULASI DAN OPTIMASI PROSES ABSORBSI SO2 DARI GAS HASIL PEMBAKARAN BATUBARA DENGAN METODE WET FLUE GAS DESULFURIZATION (WFGD)

Abstract

Coal-fired Steam Power Plants (PLTU) have proven to have high and stable power generation capacity. However, during their operational phase, coal-fired power plants have the risk of producing various types of pollutant emissions. These emissions include SO2, NO2, CO, CO2, and VHC (Volatile Hydrocarbons). This research aims to eliminate exhaust gas emissions by using process simulations with Aspen Plus software, examining the effects of L/G Ratio, temperature, and pressure on the efficiency of SO2 absorption, the impact of forced oxidation and natural oxidation on gypsum purity, the effect of CaCO3 slurry on CO2 removal, and the impact of forced oxidation and natural oxidation on economic analysis. The study was conducted by simulating the SO2 removal process using the wet flue gas desulphurization (WFGD) method with an RCSTR model for the wet scrubber. The research results indicate that the optimal L/G Ratio for removing SO2 is in the range of 1.1 – 1.5 to achieve an efficiency greater than 95%, with the process temperature in the range of 40°C - 60°C. Pressure does not affect the absorption process, and the forced oxidation method is preferred for handling by-products and minimizing waste.

Keywords: Absorption, SO2 gas, scrubber