Electron beam flue gas technology for SOx and NOx simultaneous removal: its process and chemistry evolution from power plants to diesel off-gas treatment

Environmental pollution is one of the most important problems in present-day society. Governments and international organizations try to mitigate this problem by enforcing strict laws concerning the emission of certain pollutants. This process is especially rapidly applied concerning air pollution. In the past, the main focus was placed on the regulation of the energy sector and of land-based transportation emissions, as they produce the vast majority of pollutants. Today, the emphasis is shifted toward marine-based transportation, as it is anticipated that after the year 2020, the emission from sea-based sources (with respect to sulfur and nitrogen oxides) will exceed the land-based emission. One of the technologies that have been successfully implemented in industries to decrease the level of air pollution caused by NOx and SOx is electron beam flue gas treatment. This review shows the chemical principles of this method as well as the chemical engineering issues and its development and modifications to suit the changing needs of industries worldwide.