The South America flue gas desulfurization market is expected to grow from US$ 883.52 million in 2019 to US$ 1,216.82 million by 2027; it is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 4.2% from 2020 to 2027. Power facilities are the most extensive generators of SO2, which may cause acid rain. Sulfur is one well-known element found in coal. When combusted, the sulfur in coal converts into sulfur dioxide. When sulfur dioxide combines with moisture in clouds, it forms acid rain. Adding sodium-based exhaust gases in different solutions reduces SO2 emissions by 98%. In the flue gas desulfurization systems, reductions of the discharges by the amount of 98% have become the most common type of technology used in bituminous and coal-fired power plants. According to the International Energy Agency, the coal-fired power plants produce about 37% of the wolrd’s electricity, making them the largest single electricity generation source worldwide. However, such plants are bound to release pollutants, especially sulfur, which deteriorates the quality of environment. Sulfur dioxide is usually formed by combusting fossil fuels and by the smelting of mineral ores that contain sulfur. When sulfur dioxide mixes with water and air, it produces sulfuric acid, which is the chief component of acid rain. Acid rain can cause deforestation, corrode building materials and paints, and acidify waterways to harm aquatic life. Therefore, the government has proposed stringent policies to control emissions of particulate matter (PM), sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and mercury by coal-based thermal power plants. The new rules are expected to cut sulphur dioxide emissions by 90%, PM emissions by 25%, nitrogen oxides by 70%, and mercury by 75% from new thermal plants. The growing focus toward reducing the pollutants arising from power generation sector significantly drives the demand for setting up flue gas desulphurization systems.
Based on type, the wet FGD segment led the South America flue gas desulfurization market in 2019. Wet flue gas desulfurization (wet FGD) system roughly has sulphur dioxideremoval efficiency of over 90%. Based on the reagent used, wet FGD equipment can be classified as ammonia-based, seawater based, sodium-based, and limestone-based. Wet freshwater flue gas desulfurization equipment primarily uses limestone slurry for removing SOx. The flue gas drawn from a boiler is directed into an absorption tower by a booster fan. Inside the absorption tower, the flue gas comes in contact with limestone slurry, sprayed through nozzles installed at the tower's top. A chemical reaction occurs between SOx in the gas and limestone slurry, therefore leading to the formation of calcium sulphite. Calcium sulphite is then oxidized at the bottom of the tower using compressed air and converted into calcium sulphate or gypsum, which can be used as a raw material in the cement manufacturing industry. Seawater-based flue gas desulfurization system uses seawater as a reagent for SOx removal. The seawater is naturally alkaline, hence it absorbs acidic gases such as SOx. After the reaction, the effluent seawater flows into a seawater treatment system to complete the oxidation of the absorbed SOx into sulphate. The sulphate ion formed is harmless and can be sent back to the sea.
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the South America flue gas desulfurization market has slowed down as majority of countries imposed lockdown or restricted human movement. The pandemic has adversely impacted production in various industries due to the lack of human resources.
The overall South America flue gas desulfurization market size has been derived using both primary and secondary sources. To begin the research process, exhaustive secondary research has been conducted using internal and external sources to obtain qualitative and quantitative information related to the market. The process also serves the purpose of obtaining an overview and forecast for the South America flue gas desulfurization market with respect to all the segments pertaining to the region. Also, multiple primary interviews have been conducted with industry participants and commentators to validate the data, as well as to gain more analytical insights into the topic. Participants of this process include industry experts such as VPs, business development managers, market intelligence managers, and national sales managers, along with external consultants such as valuation experts, research analysts, and key opinion leaders, specializing in the South America flue gas desulfurization market. Chiyoda Corporation; Ducon; General Electric; S.A Hamon; Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.; Valmet; Babcock and Wilcox Enterprises, Inc.; and Marsulex Environmental Technologies are among the players operating in the market.