Faced with spiraling fuel oil costs, power utilities turned to abundant and inexpensive domestic coal and lignite. Conversions and new units designed to burn solid fossil fuels were pursued at a near crisis pace to get out from under the economic penalties associated with the continued use of oil. Coal contains much more sulfur than oil; EPA limitations on SO2 necessitated costly flue gas desulfurization (FGD) systems when burning coal. Scrubbed gas presented a particularly corrosive environment in and downstream from the FGD system. Problems which often accompany a new technology were soon evident. Materials and linings initially selected were often seen to be inadequate. Severe and rapid degradation was commonplace. This paper traces the development of the recently published ASTM Manual of Protective Linings From Flue Gas Desulfurization System. The scope of the Manual is outlined and some of the more commonly used FGD lining systems are reviewed. Finally some views on the impact of foreseeable changes in regulations and FGD technology on the use and maintenance of FGD system linings are discussed.

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