Interpretation of the mechanism diffusion in the gas-solid process of the dessulfurization reaction

The present paper aims to interpret the SO2 diffusion mechanism process for two different limestones: a calcite and a dolomite. In previous study, the apparent activation energies for sulfation reaction were between 3.03 and 4.45 kJ mol-1 for the calcite, and 11.24 kJ mol-1 for the dolomite. Using nitrogen porosimetry it was possible to observe that the dolomite presents mesopores of 0.03 μm, while the calcite presents mesopores of 0.01 μm. The evaluation of limestones porous structure together with their kinetic parameters, allowed concluding that the diffusion mechanism follows Fick law and Knudsen law for dolomite and calcite, respectively.FAPESPCoordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES

Determination of the activation energies of beef tallow and crude glycerin combustion using thermogravimetry

The present study deals with the determination of the activation energy for the thermal decomposition of two renewable fuels crude glycerin and beef tallow. The activation energies were investigated by using a thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) in the temperature range of 25-600 degrees C in atmosphere of synthetic air. The TG curves of the thermal decomposition process of both samples were divided into several phases and the second, called PH2, was chosen for the kinetic study because it is associated with the combustion ignition. Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA) showed an endothermic event at the PH2 region for the crude glycerin corresponding to devolatilization, while for beef tallow, this step presented an exothermic event, called LTO (low-temperature oxidation), which is correlated with devolatilization followed by combustion. For the entire PH2, activation energy values for crude glycerin were between 90 kJ mol(-1) and 42 kJ mol(-1), while for the beef tallow they ranged from 50 kJ mol(-1) to 113 kJ mol (1). The activation energy values obtained at the pre-ignition stage - conversion between 0 and 0.45 - showed that the crude glycerin with higher values requires an additional energetic support at the start of combustion processes and the beef tallow ignites more easily, presenting lower values. According to the Wolfer's equation, a direct relation between the activation energy and the ignition delay is established and the results of this study provides useful data for the development and design of new combustion chambers and engines when non-traditional fuels are used as feedstock. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.CAPESCAPES [PNPD 0034088, BEX 1149/10-5]FAPESPFAPESP [2011/00183-2, 2011/11321-7

Development of biomass derived highly porous fast adsorbents for post-combustion CO2 capture

This study is carried out for a comparative screening of three groups of biomasses; soft or non-woody (peanut shell); intermediate woody (walnut shell) and hard woody (pine wood) for the development of adsorbents/activated carbons for post-combustion CO2 capture (over N2 balance). Three different groups of biomass residues are selected to study the role and nature of the material in adsorption and selection of the raw material for CO2 adsorbents synthesis for future researches because of the hot issue of anthropogenic CO2 emissions. The adsorption isotherms studied by the thermal gravimetric analyser (TGA) revealed that CO2 adsorption capabilities are in the range of 2.53–3.92 mmol/g (over N2 balance) at 25 °C. The newly synthesised activated carbons (ACs) exhibited a fast rate of adsorption as 41–94% in the initial 2 min. Porous surface development with catalytic KOH activation is seen clearly through SEM surface morphological analyses and mathematically confirmed from SBET ranges from 146.86 to 944.05 m2/g. FTIR and XRD peaks verify the generation of basic or inorganic O2-rich moieties that help in acidic CO2 capture. It has also been observed from adsorption isotherms that the order of higher adsorption groups is as; peanut shell > pine wood > walnut shell, while the best activation mass ratio (sample/KOH) is 1:3. The synthesised low cost ACs with an amount of 1.93 US$ per kg production could help to overcome the environmental hazards and problems caused by CO2 and biomass waste

The physical structures of a dolomite and a limestone and their reactivities as \'SO IND.2\' sorbents

Devido aos diversos efeitos causados pela presença de \'SO IND.2\' em gases liberados na atmosfera, considerável atenção tem sido dada às técnicas para remoção deste poluente proveniente do processo de combustão. Neste trabalho apresenta-se um estudo relacionado com a determinação das melhores condições de granulometria e temperatura no processo de sorção de \'SO IND.2\' por um calcário dolomítico, denominado DP, e um calcário calcítico, denominado ICB, empregando-se a termogravimetria e porosimetria de adsorção de nitrogênio. Foram estudadas cinco faixas de granulometria média (385, 460, 545, 650 e 775 µm) e temperatura (variando de 745 a 920 ºC) para cada calcário. Com a aplicação do planejamento experimental, obtiveram-se superfícies de resposta com pontos de máximo indicando as melhores condições para cada calcário. Para o calcário DP, as maiores conversões (52%) foram obtidas na temperatura de calcinação de 850ºC e granulometria de 545 µm e as menores conversões foram obtidas para temperaturas acima de 900ºC e abaixo de 780ºC. Para o calcário ICB, as melhores condições foram obtidas em temperatura de 815ºC e 274 µm (conversão de 36,7%). Estabelecendo-se uma correlação entre a superfície de resposta e os parâmetros da estrutura física, os calcários, na condição de máxima conversão, apresentaram maior distribuição de poros na região de 20 a 110 A, indicando que a quantidade de poros menores pode ser um fator importante na reatividade do calcário. Pelos resultados apresentados na porosimetria, ambos os calcários apresentaram a média de diâmetro de poros próxima a 0,01 µm, indicando que o processo de difusão deveria seguir a Lei de Fick. No entanto, para calcário ICB observou-se o maior desenvolvimento de microporos, indicando que o mecanismo de difusão deste calcário possivelmente segue a Lei de Knudsen, justificando as menores conversões pelo rápido bloqueio dos poros, que impedem que as camadas mais internas sejam atingidas. Por meio das imagens obtidas por MEV, observou-se que a superfície do calcário ICB sulfatado apresentou uma camada mais fechada e compactada do que o calcário DP.Due to various effects caused by the presence of \'SO IND.2\' in gases released into the atmosphere, considerable attention has been given to techniques of removal of this pollutant from the combustion processes. This dissertation reports on studies related to the determination of the optimum conditions of temperature and particle size in \'SO IND.2\' sorption by a dolomite, called DP and a calcite, called ICB. Five ranges of granulometry (385, 460, 545, 650 e 775 µm) and temperature (from 745 to 920ºC) were studie for each limestone. The application of experimental design resulted in a response surface with maximum values of temperature and particle size. For DP, the highest conversions (52%) were obtained at 850ºC and particle size of 545 µm and the lowest conversions were obtained at temperatures over 900ºC and below 780ºC. For ICB, the best conditions were obtained at 815ºC and 274 µm (36.7% conversion). The correlation between response surface and physical structure parameters showed that the amount of small pores is an important factor in the reactivity of the sorbents. For both DP and ICB, the average of pore size is close to 0.01 µm, indicating that the diffusion mechanism should follow the Fick law. However, in limestone ICB a further development of micropores was observed, allowing concluding that the diffusion mechanism possibly follows Knudsen law, which justifies the lowest conversions by quick pore blockage, consequently making the inner layers inaccessible. These assumptions were evidenced by the scanning electron microscopy (SEM), in which a compacted and closed layer was showed on ICB sulfated surface

Use of thermal analysis and Drop Tube Furnace (DTF) to evaluate the thermal efficiency of mineral coal, sugarcane bagasse and their mixtures

No desenvolvimento deste estudo avaliou-se o comportamento térmico do bagaço de cana-de-açúcar, dois carvões minerais (CE4500 e PSOC1451), e suas misturas (75%carvão/25%bagaço) nas seguintes atmosferas: 80%N2/20%O2 (combustão convencional), 80%CO2/20%O2 (simulando oxi-combustão), 100% CO2, 100% N2 e 100% O2. Por meio da caracterização físico-química dos materiais e da análise térmica foram avaliados os perfis de decomposição térmica dos materiais, eventos entálpicos, determinação da energia de ativação, a influência da atmosfera na decomposição, emissões de SO2, CO2, NO e CO, a capacidade de queima, os resíduos e o efeito de sinergismo. As principais técnicas empregadas neste estudo foram análise elementar, análise termogravimétrica (TGA), análise térmica diferencial (DTA) e um reator tubular de queda livre (DTF - Drop Tube Furnace), desenvolvido no decorrer deste estudo. Os resultados termogravimétricos mostraram que a decomposição térmica do bagaço ocorre com maiores taxas de reação e picos exotérmicos mais intensos comparados aos carvões. Tal comportamento é atribuído ao alto teor de material volátil presente no bagaço. Esta característica do bagaço também promove a obtenção de menores valores de energia de ativação (Eα) na etapa inicial da decomposição térmica (30 kJ mol-1 comparados a 126 kJ mol-1 para o CE 4500 e 100 kJ mol-1 para o PSOC 1451), que confirmam a maior facilidade no processo de ignição do bagaço em relação aos carvões. Em relação ao efeito da atmosfera, quando N2 é substituído por CO2 observa-se aumento de 6 vezes nos valores iniciais de energia de ativação para o bagaço de cana (E inicial passa de 30 kJ mol-1 para 170 kJ mol-1). Contudo, efeito contrário é observado para os carvões (E inicial diminui de 200 para 130 kJ mol-1 para o CE 4500 e de 100 para 75 kJ mol-1 para o PSOC 1451). A diferença de comportamento do bagaço em relação aos carvões é atribuída ao mecanismo de difusão do material volátil durante a decomposição térmica considerando a escala de análise aplicada. Os resultados obtidos em DTF mostraram que, quando o processo ocorre sob atmosfera contendo CO2 (típica de oxi-combustão), para todos os materiais as emissões de NO são até 34% inferiores àquelas feitas sob atmosfera de ar. Entretanto, efeito contrário é observado para as emissões de CO. Em relação às emissões de SO2, nenhuma tendência pode ser observada. O rendimento da queima do bagaço foi 50% superior em atmosfera de ar devido à facilidade da ignição nesta atmosfera. Para o carvão CE 4500, os maiores rendimentos de queima foram obtidos em atmosferas contendo CO2 (8% a menos de material não queimado comparado aos resíduos obtidos em ar sintético). Em relação ao estudo de sinergismo, as técnicas de análise utilizadas no desenvolvimento desta pesquisa não apresentaram embasamento suficiente para comprovar positivamente a interação entre os materiais. Para ambas as misturas também não se evidenciaram alterações de comportamento em função da atmosfera utilizada.This study evaluates the thermal behavior of sugar cane bagasse, two bituminous coals (CE 4500 and PSOC 1451) and blends composed of 75%coal/25%bagasse under 80%N2/20%O2 (conventional combustion), 80%CO2/20%O2 (oxy-fuel combustion simulation), 100% CO2, 100% N2 and 100% O2 atmospheres. The evaluations were conducted by means of ultimate analysis, Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA) and DTF (developed in this study) – which includes thermal decomposition profiles, determination of activation energy, evaluation of atmosphere and interaction effects on the blends, evaluation of SO2, CO2, NO e CO emissions, burning yield and residues analysis. The results show the high content of volatile matter in the bagasse leads to a high rate reaction during the thermal decomposition of the material in comparison to coals, hence, a higher intensity of exothermic events. Such a characteristic of the bagasse also influences the first step of the thermal decomposition and leads to a lower activation energy (Eα) (30 kJ mol-1) in comparison with the values obtained for coals (126 kJ mol-1 for CE 4500 and 100 kJ mol-1 for PSOC 1451). When N2 was replaced by CO2, the activation values obtained in the first step of the bagasse decomposition increased from 30 kJmol-1 to 170 kJ mol-1. However, an opposite effect was observed for both coals (E decreased from 200 to 130 kJ mol-1 for CE 4500 and from 100 to 75 kJ mol-1 for PSOC 1451). The difference was attributed to the volatile mechanism of the matter diffusivity during the thermal decomposition. The atmospheres applied did not affect the thermal decomposition behavior of the blends. Regarding the DTF results, under CO2 atmosphere, all materials showed lower NO emissions in comparison to air atmosphere - NO emissions were up to 34% lower than those in air atmosphere. However, the CO emissions were lower in the CO2 environment. No trend could be observed regarding SO2 emissions. The bagasse burning efficiency was 50% higher in air environment due to the easy ignition under such atmosphere. For coals, higher burning efficiency and lower activation values were achieved under CO2 atmosphere (8% higher). Regarding the study of synergism, the analytical techniques applied did not confirm the interaction between the materials

The physical structures of a dolomite and a limestone and their reactivities as \'SO IND.2\' sorbents

Devido aos diversos efeitos causados pela presença de \'SO IND.2\' em gases liberados na atmosfera, considerável atenção tem sido dada às técnicas para remoção deste poluente proveniente do processo de combustão. Neste trabalho apresenta-se um estudo relacionado com a determinação das melhores condições de granulometria e temperatura no processo de sorção de \'SO IND.2\' por um calcário dolomítico, denominado DP, e um calcário calcítico, denominado ICB, empregando-se a termogravimetria e porosimetria de adsorção de nitrogênio. Foram estudadas cinco faixas de granulometria média (385, 460, 545, 650 e 775 µm) e temperatura (variando de 745 a 920 ºC) para cada calcário. Com a aplicação do planejamento experimental, obtiveram-se superfícies de resposta com pontos de máximo indicando as melhores condições para cada calcário. Para o calcário DP, as maiores conversões (52%) foram obtidas na temperatura de calcinação de 850ºC e granulometria de 545 µm e as menores conversões foram obtidas para temperaturas acima de 900ºC e abaixo de 780ºC. Para o calcário ICB, as melhores condições foram obtidas em temperatura de 815ºC e 274 µm (conversão de 36,7%). Estabelecendo-se uma correlação entre a superfície de resposta e os parâmetros da estrutura física, os calcários, na condição de máxima conversão, apresentaram maior distribuição de poros na região de 20 a 110 A, indicando que a quantidade de poros menores pode ser um fator importante na reatividade do calcário. Pelos resultados apresentados na porosimetria, ambos os calcários apresentaram a média de diâmetro de poros próxima a 0,01 µm, indicando que o processo de difusão deveria seguir a Lei de Fick. No entanto, para calcário ICB observou-se o maior desenvolvimento de microporos, indicando que o mecanismo de difusão deste calcário possivelmente segue a Lei de Knudsen, justificando as menores conversões pelo rápido bloqueio dos poros, que impedem que as camadas mais internas sejam atingidas. Por meio das imagens obtidas por MEV, observou-se que a superfície do calcário ICB sulfatado apresentou uma camada mais fechada e compactada do que o calcário DP.Due to various effects caused by the presence of \'SO IND.2\' in gases released into the atmosphere, considerable attention has been given to techniques of removal of this pollutant from the combustion processes. This dissertation reports on studies related to the determination of the optimum conditions of temperature and particle size in \'SO IND.2\' sorption by a dolomite, called DP and a calcite, called ICB. Five ranges of granulometry (385, 460, 545, 650 e 775 µm) and temperature (from 745 to 920ºC) were studie for each limestone. The application of experimental design resulted in a response surface with maximum values of temperature and particle size. For DP, the highest conversions (52%) were obtained at 850ºC and particle size of 545 µm and the lowest conversions were obtained at temperatures over 900ºC and below 780ºC. For ICB, the best conditions were obtained at 815ºC and 274 µm (36.7% conversion). The correlation between response surface and physical structure parameters showed that the amount of small pores is an important factor in the reactivity of the sorbents. For both DP and ICB, the average of pore size is close to 0.01 µm, indicating that the diffusion mechanism should follow the Fick law. However, in limestone ICB a further development of micropores was observed, allowing concluding that the diffusion mechanism possibly follows Knudsen law, which justifies the lowest conversions by quick pore blockage, consequently making the inner layers inaccessible. These assumptions were evidenced by the scanning electron microscopy (SEM), in which a compacted and closed layer was showed on ICB sulfated surface

The calcium looping cycle study for capturing carbon dioxide applied to the energy generation

The calcium looping process (Ca-L) is a promising technology to reduce of the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions when applied in energy generation systems. Ca-based materials (usually limestone) are used in this process as CO2 sorbents. Thus, the CO2 capture occurs by the reversible reaction between calcium oxide (CaO) and CO2, resulting in the calcium carbonate form (CaCO3). Compared to other technologies applied to carbon sequestration process, the Ca-L offers additional advantages such: the use of fluidized bed technology that is already well established; this process occurs at high temperature, and the excess of heat generated can be recovered; the cost of limestone sorbents is low because of its wide availability. However, in the applying the Ca-L process is essential to understand the mechanism and the effect of partial pressure of CO2 in both, calcination and carbonation processes; to investigate the effect of sintering and to evaluate the sorbent activity decay. In this paper, empirical technique such as thermogravimetry is applied to investigate the reactivity of dolomite as CO2 sorbent. The effect of CO2 high concentrations in both calcination/carbonation processes is also investigated.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP

Study of thermal decomposition of ignition temperature of bagasse, coal and their blends

In Brazil, due to its availability, sugar cane bagasse has a high potential for power generation. The knowledge of ignition behavior, as well as the knowledge of the chemical kinetics, in of fuels combustion process is important features in boilers projects and in the stability of the combustion process control. The aim of this study is to investigate the thermal behavior of sugar cane bagasse, coal and their blends. The methodology proposed by Tognotti et al. (1985) was applied to determine the ignition temperature for all samples. Ignition temperatures were 256oC for neat bagasse and 427oC for neat coal, and 275oC for both blends (50-50% and 25-75%). The ModelFree Kinetics was applied to determine the apparent activation energy (Eα) of the thermal decomposition of sugar cane bagasse. For the two major events of mass loss of bagasse which correspond to the thermal decomposition of organic matter (mainly hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin), average values of Eα were obtained for both combustion and pyrolysis processes. In synthetic air atmosphere, the Eα were 170.8±26.3 kJ⋅mol-1 and 277.8±58.6 kJ⋅mol-1, while in nitrogen atmosphere, the Eα were 185.0 ± 11.4 kJ⋅mol-1 and 82.1±44.4 kJ⋅mol-1. The results obtained can be explained by synergistic effects when both bagasse and coal were blended, changing the fuel reactivity