Benefits of NexION 300 ICP-MS Technology for the Analysis of Power Plant Flue Gas Desulfurization Wastewaters

One of the most widely used technologies for removing pollutants, such as sulfur dioxide, from flue gas emissions produced by coal-fired power plants, is the limestone-forced oxidation scrubbing system, more commonly known as gas desulfurization. During this process an extremely acidic purge stream of water saturated with high concentrations of gypsum, heavy metals, alkali earth metals, chlorides and dissolved organic compounds is discharged. This application note describes successful use of the NexION® 300 ICP-MS technology (PerkinElmer) using the new draft U.S. EPA procedure for flue gas desulfurization wastewaters.