Rice husk ash sorbent doped with copper for simultaneous removal of SO2 and NO: optimization study.
In order to reduce the negative impact of coal utilization for energy generation, the pollutants present in the flue gas of coal combustion such as sulfur dioxide (SO(2)) and nitrogen oxide (NO) must be effectively removed before releasing to the atmosphere. Thus in this study, sorbent prepared from rice husk ash that is impregnated with copper is tested for simultaneous removal of SO(2) and NO from simulated flue gas. The effect of various sorbent preparation parameters; copper loading, RHA/CaO ratio, hydration period and NaOH concentration on the sorbent desulfurization/denitrification capacity was studied using Design-Expert Version 6.0.6 software. Specifically, Central Composite Design (CCD) coupled with Response Surface Method (RSM) was used. Significant individual parameters that affect the sorbent capacity are copper loading and NaOH concentration. Apart from that, interaction between the following parameters was also found to have significant effect; copper loading, RHA/CaO ratio and NaOH concentration. The optimum sorbent preparation condition for this study was found to be 3.06% CuO loading, RHA/CaO ratio of 1.41, 8.05 h of hydration period and NaOH concentration of 0.80 M. Sorbent characterization using SEM, XRD and surface area analysis were used to describe the effect of sorbent preparation parameters on the desulfurization/denitrification activity.
Lau
Lee Chung
LC
School of Chemical Engineering, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Engineering Campus, Seri Ampangan, 14300 Nibong Tebal, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia.
Lee
Keat Teong
KT
Mohamed
Abdul Rahman
AR
D000327:Adsorption; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D017610:Calcium Compounds; D003031:Coal / Q000009:adverse effects; D003300:Copper; D005740:Gases; D017745:Incineration; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012275:Oryza; D010087:Oxides; D012972:Sodium Hydroxide; D013458:Sulfur Dioxide / Q000302:isolation & purification*
D000393:Air Pollutants; D017610:Calcium Compounds; D003031:Coal; D005740:Gases; D010087:Oxides; D013458:Sulfur Dioxide; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D012972:Sodium Hydroxide; D003300:Copper; C016538:lime; C030973:cupric oxide