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Title: Measurement of alkali vapors in PFBC flue gas and their control by a granular-bed sorber

Conference ·
OSTI ID:5638292

This work supports a program to measure the level of alkali vapors in the flue gas from the pressurized fluidized-bed combustion (PFBC) of coal and to develop a granular-bed sorber system for their control. A laboratory-scale fixed granular-bed sorber (7.9-cm-dia) was constructed and integrated with a 15.2-cm-dia (6-in.-dia) PFB combustor system for the alkali vapor measurement and evaluation of the sorber unit. Tests were conducted with Sewickley coal and Tymochtee dolomite at bed temperatures from 875 to 950/sup 0/C and a system pressure of 9 atm absolute. The alkali concentrations, sodium and potassium, in the filtered hot (850 to 900/sup 0/C) flue gas streams were measured with an Ames on-line real-time alkali analyzer and found to be <10 ppbW. An alkali concentration 1-2 orders of magnitude greater was determined in tests on a batch-type alkali sampling train. Alkali analysis of the fly ash suggests a negligible evolution of potassium from coal; however, a much higher sodium evolution from coal than the measured concentrations is indicated. Laboratory studies demonstrated the capture of NaCl vapor by heated (>750/sup 0/C) stainless steel, indicating that the stainless steel material used in the PFBC/alkali sorber system could act as a sink for alkali vapors. Details of the tests are presented and the results are discussed. 18 refs., 10 figs., 7 tabs.

Research Organization:
Argonne National Lab., IL (USA); Ames Lab., IA (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
W-31-109-ENG-38
OSTI ID:
5638292
Report Number(s):
CONF-850522-1; ON: DE85013863
Resource Relation:
Conference: 5. annual contractors' review meeting on contaminant control in hot coal derived gas streams, Morgantown, WV, USA, 7 May 1985
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English