A review on the utilization of fly ash

http://digital.csic.es/bitstream/10261/78793/1/Progress%20in%20chemical-looping%20combustion%20and%20ref....2012.pdf

Progress in chemical-looping combustion and reforming technologies

Nondoped and nitrogen-doped (N-doped) carbon nanofiber (CNF) electrodes were prepared via a floating catalyst chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method using precursors consisting of ferrocene and either xylene or pyridine to control the nitrogen content. Structural and compositional differences between the nondoped and N-doped varieties were assessed using TEM, BET, Raman, TGA, and XPS. Electrochemical methods were used to study the influence of nitrogen doping on the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The N-doped CNF electrodes demonstrate significant catalytic activity toward oxygen reduction in aqueous KNO(3) solutions at neutral to basic pH. Electrochemical data are presented which indicate that the ORR proceeds by the peroxide pathway via two successive two-electron reductions. However, for N-doped CNF electrodes, the reduction process can be treated as a catalytic regenerative process where the intermediate hydroperoxide (HO(2)(-)) is chemically decomposed to regenerate oxygen, 2HO(2)(-) O(2) + 2OH(-). The proposed electrocatalysis mechanisms for ORR at both nondoped and N-doped varieties are supported by electrochemical simulations and by measured difference in hydroperoxide decomposition rate constants. Remarkably, approximately 100 fold enhancement for hydroperoxide decomposition is observed for N-doped CNFs, with rates comparable to the best known peroxide decomposition catalysts. Collectively the data indicate that exposed edge plane defects and nitrogen doping are important factors for influencing adsorption of reactive intermediates (i.e., superoxide, hydroperoxide) and for enhancing electrocatalysis for the ORR at nanostructured carbon electrodes.

Influence of nitrogen doping on oxygen reduction electrocatalysis at carbon nanofiber electrodes.

The need for alternative fuels is greater now than ever before. With considerable sources available and low pollution factor, methane is a natural choice as petroleum replacement in cars and other mobile applications. However, efficient storage methods are still lacking to implement the application of methane in the automotive industry. Advanced porous materials, metal–organic frameworks and porous organic polymers, have received considerable attention in sorptive storage applications owing to their exceptionally high surface areas and chemically-tunable structures. In this critical review we provide an overview of the current status of the application of these two types of advanced porous materials in the storage of methane. Examples of materials exhibiting high methane storage capacities are analyzed and methods for increasing the applicability of these advanced porous materials in methane storage technologies described.

Methane storage in advanced porous materials

Fly ash-based geopolymer: clean production, properties and applications

Oxygen carriers for chemical looping combustion of solid fuels

Uptake of NOX by activated carbons: bench-scale and pilot-plant testing

Adsorption of Hg and NOX on coal by-products

The application of Chemical Looping Combustion (CLC) to solid fuels is being investigated at the University of Kentucky, Center for Applied Energy Research (CAER) with the aim of the development of a Pressurized Chemical Looping Combustion/Gasification (PCLC/G) process for the generation of electricity from coal. One important aspect of the CLC of solid fuel is the understanding of the effect of ash on the reactivity of Oxygen Carriers (OCs). The effect of ash on the redox capabilities of two different iron oxide OCs and on their ability to oxidize coal char was studied. To determine the effect of ash on the reactivity and recycle of the OCs through multiple redox cycles, fly ash from a coal-fired power plant was used. These experiments were performed in a TGMS system using 500 mg of ash/OC mixtures containing different ash concentrations up to 75%. The reducing gas was composed of 10% H2 , 15% CO, 20% CO2 , and a balance of Ar and the oxidizing gas was 20% O2 in Ar. Oxidation/reductions were carried to near completion. The ash was found to contain OC activity related to inherent iron present in the ash confirmed by XRD. This resulted in increased weight gain/loss on oxidation/reduction. The rate of oxidation/reduction increased with ash concentration due to increased porosity of the OC/ash mixture and better access of the reactive gases to the OC target sites. The two OCs were then used to combust a beneficiated coal char in the TGMS with the only oxygen supplied by an iron oxide OC. The starting mixture was 10% char and 90% of one of two OCs studied. The spent material containing reduced OC and ash was re-oxidized and 10% more char was added for a second reduction of the OC and oxidation of the added char. This procedure was repeated for 5 cycles increasing the ash concentrations from 5 to 25% in the char/ash/OC mixture. Carbon removal was 92 to 97.8 and 97.3 to 99.7% for the two different iron oxide OCs tested. Ash was not detrimental to the activity of the OCs and both OCs performed well. The results were promising for the application of CLC directly to solid fuels.

/pdf/effect-of-ash-on-oxygen-carriers-for-the-application-of-3ewkixvnps.pdf

Aurora M. Rubel

Papers

Oxygen carriers for chemical looping combustion of solid fuels

Uptake of NOX by activated carbons: bench-scale and pilot-plant testing

Adsorption of Hg and NOX on coal by-products

Effect of Ash on Oxygen Carriers for the Application of Chemical Looping Combustion to a High Carbon Char

The effect of low-concentration SO2 on the adsorption of NO from gas over activated carbon