What Does
Flue Gas Mean?
Flue gas refers to a chemical byproduct substance that is generated as a result of a combustion reaction that has escaped through long pipes such as those in boilers, furnaces or steam generators.
Flue gas may also be referred to as exhaust gas and may act as a reactor agent for atmospheric corrosion.
Corrosionpedia Explains Flue Gas
The contents of flue gases vary, depending on the main unit operation from which they are generated. Regardless of the combustion reaction constituents involved, most flue gases consist of mostly nitrogen, which is due to combustion reactions involving air, carbon dioxide (CO2) and water vapor in the presence of oxygen (artificial or via air).
Flue gases are accompanied by pollutants, which include particulate matter, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides. These pollutants are the primary components of photochemical smog, a type of air pollution that is generated when the sun's ultraviolet rays react with nitrogen oxides in the Earth's atmosphere. Regions that experience higher levels of photochemical smog also observe higher corrosion rates of metallic structures that are situated outdoors. Atmospheric corrosion is greatly increased in chemically contaminated surroundings due to higher acidity levels.