화학공학소재연구정보센터
Energy & Fuels, Vol.30, No.5, 4150-4158, 2016
Removal of Fine Particulate Matter by Spraying Attapulgite Suspending Liquid
Removing fine particles generated from coal combustion is important for air pollution abatement because of the impact such particles have on the environment. Removal of fine particles was investigated by spraying attapulgite suspending liquid. Element change in fine particles before and after spraying attapulgite suspending liquid was examined by analysis of scanning electronic microscopy coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDX). In order to optimize the removal process, the influences of variables such as attapulgite suspending liquid flow rate (F-ASL), air to attapulgite suspending liquid ratio (RAIL), attapulgite mass fraction M-Att), agglomeration room temperature (T-AR), pH of attapulgite suspending liquid, and molar ratio of calcium to sulfur (M-Ca/S) on the removal efficiency of fine particle were investigated. Results indicate that increasing F-ASL M-Ca/S, M-Att, and R-A/L is all of benefit to particle agglomeration and enhancement of fine particle removal efficiency. The improved physical adsorption properties and increased particle surface potential are favorable to particle agglomeration at low pH value. The decreased size of droplet and retention time of the suspending liquid in agglomeration room result in low PM2.5 removal efficiency attributed to increasing T-AR. Many fine particles cohered at the surface of attapulgite indicates an enhancement in particles agglomeration after spraying attapuligte suspending liquid. Elements such as sodium, potassium, and sulfur are much easier to concentrate on submicron particles, while silicate and iron do not concentrate. The results highlight the potential of attapulgite suspending liquid for fine particles removal. It would be a promising application for removing fine particle if the process can be further optimized and cost is reduced.