(320c) Role of Recycle On Fine-Particle Formation, Mercury Speciation, and Electrostatic Capture During Oxy-Coal Combustion

Oxy-coal combustion is being touted as a potential means for increasing concentration of carbon dioxide in exhaust gases to help in potential remediation and sequestration. The impact of this modality of combustion on fine-particle and trace metal formation and mercury speciation has been examined in both drop-tube and self-sustaining coal combustors (Suriyawong et al., 2006; Suriyawong et al., 2008). Most of these studies have been conducted by combustion of the coal in a mixture of oxygen and carbon dioxide. However, in a full-scale operating scenario, the flue gases will be recycled with only the necessary amount of oxygen added at the inlet with the coal.

In this paper, we will compare the effect of flue gas recycle on fine particle formation and other emissions, to that of the controlled studies performed earlier. Due to the difference in the temperature-time histories and the composition of the flue gases, there are expected to be differences in the combustion characteristics and performance of particle capture devices such as electrostatic precipitators (ESPs). First, the sub-oxide formation pathways are expected to result in different vaporization rates due to the different time-temperature relationships. It is expected that the more volatile elements such as mercury will not show any differences, however, the chemistry in the gas phase maybe different due to the potential for oxidation to increase. The performance of added sorbents ? both micrometer and nanostructured, will be different ? and the results will be reported. Flue gas recycle is also expected to affect particle penetration and corona inception for the ESP due to the variation of flue gas compositions. Thus, strategies for effective modalities for oxy-coal combustion to minimize emissions of fine particles and mercury will be proposed.

--

Suriyawong, A., Gamble M., Lee M.H., Axelbaum R. and Biswas P., ?Submicrometer particle formation and mercury speciation under O₂ - CO₂ Coal Combustion?, Energy and Fuels, 20 (6), 2357-2363, 2006.

Suriyawong, A., Hogan C.J., Jiang J., and Biswas P., ?Charged fraction and electrostatic collection of ultrafine and submicrometer particles formed during O₂-CO₂ coal combustion?, Fuel, 87 (6), 673-682, 2008.