Sabtu, 23 Juni 2012
ESTERFIP, A TRANSESTERIFICATION PROCESS TO PRODUCE BIO-DIESEL FROM RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
ESTERFIP, A TRANSESTERIFICATION PROCESS TO
PRODUCE BIO-DIESEL FROM RENEWABLE ENERGY
SOURCES
A. Hennico, J. A. Chodorge and A. Forestikre
INSTITUT FRANCAIS DU PETROLE
RUEIL-MALMAISON (92500). FRANCE
Keywords : Transesterification, Vegetable Oils, Bio-Diesel
1 - INTRODUCTION
Vegetables oils and products synthesized from natural raw materials (either of vegetable or
animal origin) are having a strong "come back" in the recent decades. One of the major
reasons for the increased utilization of fatty chemicals for indusmal use has been the ability
to tailor the products to specific needs. This trends is clearly indicated in Table 1 that gives
an estimate of the world fat production in millions tons and in the case of vegetable oils, the
yields per unit area (hectare) per year.
End uses of upgraded products or derivative compounds are extremely numerous but
usually highly specialized. Major areas of applications are :
Food industry, soap and detergents, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, textile and paper industry,
oild field chemicals, fat based emulsifiers, synthetic lubricants, metal working fluids and
last but not least introduction into the automative fuel sector. This last application will be the
subject of this presentation.
In the early days of diesel engines, vegetable oils were tested (their original compositions
unchanged) as a possible motor fuel but the idea never took hold owing to incompatibility
problems such as deterioration of the oil with time, high viscosity, and fouling of the
engine.
Recently the bio-diesel route has been reactivated for a number of xasons as outlined
h- ereafter : It has been found that vegetable oil can be transformed via esterification into a product
which is much more adequate as a diesel fuel than the original oil itself.
A wide variety of vegetable oils can be used as raw material for transesterification; this
has led to the idea that bio-diesel production could be a way to extend the role of
agriculture (more jobs created and reduced financial burden for petroleum imports in
developing countries, slow-down in the current reduction of cultivated surfaces for
developed countries like those of the European community).
2 - THE ESTERFIP PROCESS DEVELOPED BY IFP' FOR THE
TRANSESTERIFICATION OF VEGETABLE OILS
Transesterification of natural glycerides with methanol to methylesters is a technically
important reaction that has been used extensively in the soap and detergent manufacturing
industry. IFP has done extension R and D work in the transesterification field with the aim
of creating a product that would be suitable as an excellent substitute for djesel fuel.
As a result, a new process called ESTERFIP was developed that allows the elimination of
certain impurities from the product that otherwise would be detrimental to classical diesel
engines.
The ESTERFIP process was developed by IFP first on a laboratory scale, then tested in a
pilot plant (1987) and demonstrated in a commercial plant that is operating satisfactorily
since 1992 (capacity 20 000 t/yr). Originally the design was developed for batch operation
which is very suitable for small capacities and then further upgraded to continuous
operadon, an economically dictated choice for intermediate and large capacities.
2 - 1 Chemistry Involved
The reaction of transesterification involves the reaction of methanol with the s glycerides of
the rapeseed oil to form the corresponding methylesters and glycerine as indicated on the
following reaction scheme :
Jointly with Sofiproteol (France)
763
VegetableOil + Methanol -+ Esters + Glycerine
(Triglyceride)
This global stoichiometry is of course an oversimplification as we are in presence Of a
three-step reversible reaction with di - and monogycerides as intermediate products. The
reaction takes place in presence of a catalyst that is most commonly sodium hydroxide,
potassium hydroxide or sodium methylate. In the case of bio-diesel manufacturing, the
main objective is to achieve the maximum possible conversion towards methylester (in
excess of 97 %). This aim puts certain specific constraints on the reaction scheme, such as
long hold-up time or eventually unreacted feed components recycling. involving a difficult
separation between reactants and product.
Furthermore to avoid operating problems in the ESTERFIP process the vegetable oil used
as feedstock should be partially refined to eliminate phospolipides, gummy substances, free
acid and water.
T- ypical feed specifications are :
* Acidityindex: . 1 maximum
The situation is also complicated by solubility problems. For example in the present case
neither methanol is soluble in the starting material triglyceride nor the end products
glycerine and fatty acid methyl esters are miscible, whereas methanol is soluble in fatty acid
methyl esters. We can therefore expect different time dependent situations - at the
beginning a two-phase system, followed by an almost complete solution. Then as soon as
a considerable amount of glycerine is formed, a new two phase system will again prevail.
2 - 2 Composition of Fatty Acids in three common Vegetable
Phosphorous content : 10 ppm wt maximum
Water content : 0,l wt % maximum
Oils
Whereas in Europe methylesters from rapeseed oil and sunflower oil are the most common
feedstocks for bio-diesel the US leans heavily upon soybean oil as raw feedstock.
The Table 2 gives the composition of three of the most common renewable vegetable
sources that are used in the preparation of bio-diesel.
Although the feed composition is quite different, a careful selection of operating conditions
(t. p) and amount of catalyst used permits the production of a bio-diesel that satisfies the
most shingent specifications required by the automobile industry.
It is however important here to stress the importance of experimental data checking and unit
modeling based upon practical experience, before undertaking the conceptual design of a
large size industrial unit.
2 - 3 ESTERFIP Process Description (continuous scheme)
A complete block flow scheme is given on Figure 1. The sequence of processing steps is as
follows:
*
Transesterification of the vegetable oil by dry methanol in presence of a basic catalyst.
Decantation to completely separate methyl esters from glycerine.
The ester phase is water-washed and purified in a continuous operation in order to
eliminate the last traces of catalyst particles. This step is very critical to avoid harmful
deposits during the combustion in the diesel engine.
Vacuum evaporation of the methyl ester product to recover traces of methanol and
water.
The raw glycerine recovemd in the settler is evaporated (the main methanol removal
step), neutralised, decanted to separate fatty acids, and finally completely freed from
methanol.
*
2 - 4 Overall Material Balance (Rapeseed Oil Case)
Refer to Figure 2.
764
2 - 5 Product Properties
Bio - Diesel (Methyl esters) Glycerine (by -product)
Specific gravity 0.88 Glycerine content, wt % > 80
Cetane number 49 Other organic compounds, < 2.5
Flash point, O C 55 Ash content, wt % < 10
mini
Wt %
CFPP, O C - 12 Methanol content, wt % < 0.2
Viscosity (cSt 20°C) 1.52 Water content < 10
2 - 6 Bio-Diesel based Commercial Fuels in France
In the diesel fuel application two main blends of methyl esters are currently commercialised
i-n France, namely : A 5 % mixture of bio-diesel in conventional diesel which is for sale to the public in
service stations (without distinctive labelling obligation)
* 30 to 50 % mixtures of bio-diesel for use in bus fleets run by municipalities.
The estimated tonnage of bio-diesel commercialised in France for the total year 1994 is
150,000 Tons.
2 - 7 Environmental Advantages of Bio-Diesel
The main distinctive features of bio-diesel versus conventional diesel fuel are :
* No sulphur
* Noaromatics
*
Renewable energy.
The engine emissions are sulphur free and the other exhaust components are given (on a
comparative basis with conventional diesel) in Figure 3.
Presence of oxygen in the molecular composition
3 - CONCLUSIONS
Bio-diesel is at present the most attractive market among the non-food applications of
vegetable oils. The different stages in the production of rapeseed methyl ester generate byproducts
which offer further outlets. Oil cake, the protein rich fraction obtained after the oil
has ken extracted from the seed is used for animal feed.
Glycerol, the other important by-product has numerous applications in the oil and chemical
industries such as the cosmetic. pharmaceutical, food and painting industries. New
applications are under investigations.
The bio-diesel market in the European Union has a very strong potential growth position
due to special fiscal measures that are already applied in several counnies and under serious
considerations in others.
765
TABLE 1 - ESTIMATED WORLD VEGETABLE OIL + FAT PRODUCTION
I I Prduction(106T) (1) I Yield,metrict/ha soybean
Rapeseed (canola, colza)
per year
1980 1990 2000
14.4 16.9 23.2 0.2 - 0.6
3.4 8.1 10.7 1.5 - 2
IPaim 1 E 1 10.; 1 1;:; 1 5 - 8 I
Sunflower 1 - 1.5
Coconut 3 .O 3 .O 3.3 3 - 4
Sesame 2.1 0.2
Others 11.4 12.7 15.3
Total 43.2 60.6 81.9
Animal fat 16.1 18.6 21.5
FATTY ACIDS
mecyl ester oil
methyl ester
Raw& oil
methyl ester
Soybean oil
methylester
Sunflower
TABLE 2 - COMPOSITION OF FATTY ACIDS AND METHYL ESTERS
* C160
Palmitic
%
5
IO
7
C18:O
stearic
90
2
-
-
4
4
CIS:]
Oleic
%
59
-
-
23
C18:Z
Linoleic
%
21
-
53
65
CJ 8:3
Linolenic
9b
9
8
< 0,s
c200
h h i d i C
9%
c 0.5
c 0.5
-
c 2 0 1
Gadoleic
90
1
< 0.5
< 0.5
C220
Behenic
90
< 0.5
-
< 0,5
< 0,s
c22: I
Enric
*Cx : y : hydrocarbon chain with X = a number of carbon atoms and Y the number of
double bonds.
(1) : A.J. Kaufman + R.J. Ruebusch, J. Amer. Oil Chemist's Soc. - Inform 1, 1034 (1990)
766
!
Figure 1
Esterfip Process-Block Diagram
Methanol
Salts Fatty Acids,
Esters
1 Figure 2
Overall Material Balance (Rapeseed Oil Case)
Figure 3
Exhaust Emissions Compared: Bio-Diesel vs Diesel
0Blo -dlesel Diesel
80
0 05
21
Carbon Monoxide H$$g& Nitrogen Oxides Eosch
(CO), glkWh g,kWh (NOx). glkWh Smoke Index s''fur' wt%
767
INVESTIGATIONS ON REDUCING THE BENZO(A)PYRENE CONTENT OF COALTAR
PITCH
Janusz Zielinski, Blandyna Osowiecka
Technical University of Warsaw
Institute df Chemistry
ul. Lukasiewiwa 17
09400 Plock, Poland
Jerzy Polaczek
Research Institute of Industrial Chemistry
ul. Rydygiera 8
01-793 Warsaw, Poland
George Gorecki
Brent America, Incorporated
921 Shewood Drive
Lake Bluff, IL 60044
Keywords: benzo(a)pyrene, coal-tar pitch.
Introduction
Bitumens, like coalderived tars and pitches, as well as petroleum asphalts, have been
widely used in many branches of industry and economy [l]. A dramatic limitation of the
application areas for bitumens of coal origin is currently observed, due to the
carcinogenic action of some bitumen-wntaining polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons,
especially benzo(a)pyrene (BAP). This hazardous condition was the reason for shutting
down plants involved in the coking of coal-tar pitch in Poland and Germany [2,3]. As a
result, many research studies on decreasing BAP content in bitumen materials have
been performed.
According to literature reviews [4]. a considerable reduction in BAP content could be
achieved by changing the conditions under which coal-tar pitch is manufactured,
especially by decreasing the coal coking temperature [5]. Other workers [6,7] have
attained lower BAP concentrations by modifying the pitch properties through oxidation, '
ultraviolet irradiation 181, or by extraction with low-boiling solvents [8,9]. Polymers not
only improve the properties and applicability of bitumencontaining materials [l], but
also can play an important role in decreasing their carcinogenicity. The current work
studies how the properties of coal-tar pitch are affected by specific high molecular
weight substances at elevated temperatures.
Experimental
The following materials were used: Polish coal-tar pitch (R & 8 softening point, 68.5OC;
toluene insolubles, 17.2% w/w; BAP content, 1.83% wlw), suspension-grade polyvinyl
chloride (PVC, molecular weight, 139,000; Fikentcher number, 66.9), polystyrene (PS,
molecular weight, 304,000; Vicat softening point, 103OC), polyethylene terephthalate
waste (PET) and unsaturated polyester resin (UPR, 40-50% styrene solution).
The study was performed stepwise. In the first step, the pitch was heated at 150 to
43OoC for 6 h to determine the effect of temperature on the pitch properties. The
procedure was executed both with and without removal of distillate. In the second step,
the molten pitch was blended with the various polymers: with PVC from between 120
and 350°C for 0.5 to 4 h, with PS from between 240 and 35OoC for 0.5 to 4 h, with PET
from between 260 and 350°C for 1 to 6 h, and with UPR at 16OoC for 3 to 5 h. The
products were analyzed for softening and dropping points, penetration (temperature
relationship), as well as for BAP content and the amount of toluene-insoluble material.
The BAP content was determined using the UV-VIS spectroscopic method [lo].
768
Results and Discussion
The results (Table I) show that the structural changes in the heated pitch are
demonstrated by a decrease in penetration and increases in softening point, dropping
Point and toluene-insolubles content. Changes in these properties became substantial
In systems whose temperature was greater than 38OoC. The observed decrease in
BAP content from 1.83% to 1.48% wlw was not caused by its evaporation because no
BAP was found in the distillate fractions. There was very little change in the BAP
content for pitch mixtures heated at temperatures below 38OoC. As a result, the
changes in BAP content in this temperature range can be explained only by chemical
interactions between the polymer and the pitch.
It has been found that homogeneous pitch-polymer blends can be obtained under the
following conditions:
,
/
t 1
- an anthracene oil or dibutyl phthalate-plastified PVC up to 10% wlw and below
1 3OoC, - PS up to 10% wlw and below 31OoC,
- PET and UPR, each up to 30% wlw and below 26OoC, - UPR up to 30% w/w and at llO°C, and after subsequent crosslinking at 140 to
1 6OoC.
An individual selection of blending parameters, however, was necessary for each
polymer. Temperature was an especially important property. It can be assumed that the
elevated temperature contributes to an increase in the amount of toluene-insoluble
material. This is due to a simultaneous destruction of polymer molecules and the
polycondensation of pitch components, which is also evidenced by an increase of
softening point and a decrease of penetration. No correlation, however, between this
occurrence and a change in BAP content has been obsetved.
The largest reductions of BAP content were achieved with pitch-polymer blends
containing either PET at 30%; UPR at 30%; or a system comprised of PVC at 4.76%,
anthracene oil at 22.63% and butadiene-styrene copolymer latex at 4.76%. The
corresponding decreases in BAP content were 72%, 80-90%, and 46%, respectively.
Amounts of polyester additive and the effect on BAP content in coal-tar pitch are
presented in Fig. 1. The polyester resin used in these compositions was modified
additionally by initiators: naphthenate cobalt and hydroperoxide of methyl ethyl ketone.
The substantial decrease in BAP content in the case of UPR modification was
independent of crosslinking of the resin. The changes in BAP content are likely
connected to some chemical interactions between the pitch and the polymer. It has also
8
been found that the
applications, such as
building industry [l].
plastified PVCcontaining pitches can be -used in many
the manufacture of insulating and sealing materials for the
This investigation was sponsored by the Scientific Research Committee and realized
as Project No. 7 S203 009 05.
References
1. J. Zielinski, G. Gorecki, "Utilization of Coal-Tar Pitch in Insulating-Seal Materials,"
ACS Division of Fuel Chemistry, Chicago, 1993, p. 927.
2. J. Jastrzebski, et. a/., Koks, Smola, Gaz, 1985, 30, 5.
3. G. Nashan, Erdol, Erdgas, Kohle, 1993,109,33.
4. J. Zielinski, et. a/., Koks, Smola, Gaz, in press.
5. W. Boenigk, J.A. Stadelhofer, "Coal-Tar Pitches with a Reduced Low Molecular PAH
Content," 5th International Carbon Conference, Essen, 1992, p. 33.
6. E.A. Sukhorukova, et. a/., Koks, Khlm., 1984, 7, 36.
769
7. W.A. Lebedev, et. ai., Carbon, 1988,8,36.
8. G.K. Low, G.E. Batley, J. Chromat, 1987, 392, 193.
9. R. Rajagopalan, et. a/., Sci. Total Environm. 1983, 27, 1.
10. A. Labudzinska, et. a/., lCRl Annual Report, 1993. p. 84.
Softening Dropping Penetration Toluene BAP Content
Point (°C>Point ('C) (x 10.' m, 50'C) insoiubles (% Wh) (% w/w)
Original Pitch 68.5 82.0 8.3 f 1.5 11.20 1.03-
Plch after 6 h of healing without removal of distillate at CC)
150 12.0 85.5 9.3 f 1.4 18.04 1.81
250 78.0 88.0 4.5 f 1.1 18.88 1.82
300 75.0 87.5 5.3 t 0.5 20.50 1.77
350 77.0 88.0 5.3 f 0.6 23.68 1.19
380' I 83.01 97.01 1.3 f 0.5 1 27.841 1.71
Pitch after 8 h of heating with distillate removal at (" C)
350-400 I 88.01 102.51 - I 32.20 I 1.64
L400-430 I 111.01 130.01 - 52.591 1.48 " 1
Table I. Properties of thermally treated coal-tar pitch
'4h.
-*. in terms of 100 g of pitch. distributed into acetone-solubles (1.72%), acetone-insolubles (0.08%), and tolueneinsolubles
(0.03%).
2.50
- 2.00 E 3:
z
8
1.50
1.00
P
0.50
3
0.00
1.88
PAK PES5 PES-10 PES-15 PES-25 PES-27 PES30
Fig. 1. Benzo(a)pyrene content in coal-tar pitch modified by polyesters. PES-5 relates
to a composition of coal-tar pitch containing 5% w/w polyester resin.
110
THE PRODUCTION OF CHARS BY SUPERCRITICAL FLUID EXTRACTION
Edwin S. Olson and Ramesh K. S h a m
University of North Dakota
Energy & Environmental Research Center
PO Box 9018
Grand Forks, ND 58202-9018
(701) 777-5000
Key words: Supercritical fluid extraction; SFE; chars
ABSTRACT
Novel techniques were explored for developing larger micropore structure in the chars prepared by
supercritical fluid extraction of low-rank coals. Extractions were carried out with 2-butanone at various
temperatures and pressures above the critical point, and experiments were performed to maintain the highsurfacearea
char structure as the pressure was released. The temperatures and pressures were then
brought down close to the critical point, and then the pressure was released very slowly while keeping the
temperature constant. This aerogel method gave higher surface areas than the method in which
temperature or pressure was abruptly lowered, but ultraporous materials were not obtained. The
introduction of pillaring reagents under supercritical conditions to preserve the expanded pore structure
was also attempted. These experiments were again only partially successful in increasing the surface area
of the char.
INTRODUCTION
Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) of volatile material from coal offers an alternative to coal
pyrolysis for production of chars. Previous efforts with low-rank coals at the University of North Dakota
gave chars with relatively low surface areas. However, x-ray scattering experiments in an
aluminum-beryllium high-pressure high-temperature extraction cell showed that very large surface areas
( > 2000 mz/g) are present during SFE of Wyodak subbituminous coal with an organic solvent, but the
pores collapse during the reversion back to subcritical conditions (I).
New techniques were explored to attempt to maintain the ultraporous structure that develops in the
low-rank coals under supercritical conditions. Following supercritical solvent extraction of some of the
coal material, attempts were made to stabilize the highly porous structure so that it did not undergo the
collapse normally observed when the pressure is brought back to ambient. The techniques involve careful
release of pressure at the critical point of the solvent as in the preparation of aerogel precursors and
introduction of a stabilizing agent under pressure with a high-pressure liquid chromatograph (HPLC)
injection device. The stabilizing agents were boron, silicon, and titanium compounds that could decompose
to oxide clusters which could pillar the micropore structure.
EXPERIMENTAL
Wyodak (Clovis Point) subbituminous coal, Gascoyne (Kmfe River) lignite, and Velva lignite were
used for the supercritical extractions. These coals were ground to -60-mesh size and dried in an oven at
ll0"C for several hours. The samples were then stored under argon in plastic containers until used. 2-
Butanone and ethanol were used as solvents. Tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS), titanium tetraisopropoxide
(TIP), and tributyl borate (TBB) were added to the coal to stabilize the micropores generated during
extraction.
An HPLC column (Supelco, 250-mm long, 8.5-mm i.d. X 12.5-mm 0.d.) was used for supercritical
extraction of coal because it could withstand the high pressure and temperature (up to 2500 psi and 350"C,
respectively). The supercritical fluids (2-butanone or ethanol) were introduced into the stainless steel
reactor via an ISCO LC-5000 syringe pump (ISCO, Lincoln, NE, USA), an injector (Rheodyne, Cotati,
CA, USA), and a 2-m long (1/16-in.-o.d. x 0.02-in.4.d.) stainless steel preheating coil. The reactor and
the preheating coil were placed inside a gas chromatograph (GC) oven (Varian, Aerograph series 1400 GC)
to control the extraction temperature. A fluid flow rate of approximately 1-2 mL/min (measured at the
pump) was achieved using a needle valve and a I-m X 0.1-mm silica capillary restrictor attached to the
outlet of the extraction tube.
The reactor was packed, with 5 g of desired coal and placed in the oven. After the extraction
apparatus was assembled, the reactor was filled with 5 mL of the solvent under static conditions (no flow
out of the cell) while the oven was heated to desired temperature. The dynamic extraction (constant fluid
flow) was then started and was continued for the desired time period. The extract was collected in an
Erlenmeyer flask placed in a hood. At the end of the extraction, solvent flow was stopped, and residual
solvent in the reactor was slowly released (requiring about 10 min.). Thereafter, the oven was cooled to
ambient temperature. and the reactor was detached from the extraction line. The residue from the reactor
was collected, dried at IIO°C, weighed, and analyzed for surface area using American Society for Testing
171
and Materials (ASTM)-D4607 (iodine number) and by the percent iodine sorption method used by Sutcliffe
c o p .
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Effects of Process Variables
Supercritical extraction of Wyodak coal with 2-butanone at 350°C (980 psi) for 5 min followed by
extraction at 265°C for 25 min (640 psi) gave a char with a relatively low iodine number (IN) of 177 mg/g,
when the temperature and pressure were dropped to ambient immediately after the extraction time. This
value is just a little higher than that of the original coal (162), and indicates that the pores collapse rather
quickly as a result of capillary movement of metaplast material, even at this relatively low temperature.
Only 10% of the coal was extracted or volatilized in the experiment. The experiment performed under
similar conditions, but with a very slow pressure release at constant temperature (265"C), gave a char with
significantly higher area (IN = 243), although the amount of material extracted was about the same (8%).
Further improvements in the surface area were obtained by increasing the initial extraction period at 350°C
to 20 and 40 min before dropping the temperature and pressure to 265°C and 640 psi. By maintaining the
temperature while slowly releasing the pressure, chars with INS of 267 and 309, respectively, were
obtained, and extraction yields of 12% for both runs were obtained. The 30-min extraction at 350°C (IO00
psi) followed by slow pressure release at 265°C gave a char with an intermediate surface area (IN = 283)
and the same yield of 12%. Thus, the surface area appears to be directly related to the extraction time at
350°C, but the time at 265°C prior to slow pressure reduction may not be important. At a somewhat
higher pressure (1250 psi) and higher solvent flow rate (2 mllmin), the 350°C. 30-min experiment gave
a higher extraction (16%), but a lower area (IN = 254) was obtained. Although SFE yields are usually
greater at the higher pressures (I), the surface area generated in the char is not directly related to the
extract yield.
Experiments conducted with Gascoyne lignite gave chars with generally higher surface areas than
those from the Wyodak subbituminous coal. When Gascoyne was extracted for 30 min at 350°C and
subjected to rapidly decreasing temperature and pressure, the resulting char had an IN of 256. The
corresponding experiment at 350°C (1250 psi) with slow pressure release gave a char with the IN = 361
and a similar extraction yield (12%). Increasing the pressure during the extraction (2500 psi) gave a higher
extraction as expected (19%), and the IN of the char was again lower (301).
Another solvent, ethanol, was also investigated. Extraction with ethanol at 350°C (1500 psi) with
slow pressure release gave a low extraction (8%) and a low surface area (IN = 137). Previous work
demonstrated that the char surface is highly alkylated during SFE in alcohol (2). The alkylated metaplast
may have a lower viscosity and undergo more extensive collapse.
A trial with the high-calcium Velva lignite gave a lower-area char (IN = 323) than the Gascoyne
lignite under similar conditions (35OoC, 1250 psi), although a higher extraction yield was obtained (25%).
This could be attributed to increased solubility of the decomposing coal materials (metaplast) because of
calcium-catalyzed decarboxylation. Normally, only partial decarboxylation occurs at 350°C.
Effects of Pillaring Additives
To stabilize the high surface areas that develop during SFE, solutions of various alkoxides were
introduced under supercritical conditions following the extraction. It was anticipated that the alkoxides
would decompose on the coal surface to form metal oxide clusters that would serve as stabilizing pillars
to keep the pores from collapsing. Three of these organometallic agents were investigated for their effects
in modifying the porosity of the supercritical chars.
Addition of TEOS to char produced by SFE of Wyodak coal at 350°C for 5 rnin (1050 psi) gave a
modified char with a higher surface area (IN = 293) than that produced without the TEOS (IN = 243).
Titanium isoproxide addition under the same conditions gave a slightly lower area char (IN = 238).
Addition of TEOS to the char obtained by extraction of Wyodak at 350°C for 20 rnin also gave a modified
char with higher area (IN = 281). but this showed less of an increase. When less TEOS (113 of the
previous amounts) was added to the 20-min SFE char, the increase in area was greater (IN= 297). When
TEOS and TIP were added to Wyodak extracted for 30 rnin, the INS were similar to those for the 20-rnin
runs. Addition of TBB to the 30-min char gave a significantly higher area char (IN = 328).
Similar experiments with Gascoyne lignite were inexplicably not effective in promoting the surface
area and, instead, decreased it substantially. Tributyl borate gave a char with IN = 266, compared with
the original at IN = 361. Addition of a thiol to capture radicals generated during thermal reactions of the
coal also gave a low-area char.
The chars produced by this treatment still contain substantial amounts of coal "volatile" material that
can be released by further heating at higher temperatures. Devolatilization of the supercritical chars at
750°C and 30 min gave carbons with very low surface areas, however.
772
CONCLUSIONS
Several modified chars were prepared by SFE of low-rank coals to develop a large micropore
strucnire. Pressure was released slowly at the supercritical temperature to maintain a more porous
St~Clure. Tetraethylorthosilicate, titanium isoproxide, and tributyl borate were introduced under the
Supercritical conditions to attempt to stabilize the micropore structure by forming pillaring clusters.
v
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The support of the U.S. Department of Energy is gratefully acknowledged
REFERENCES .
1. Olson, E.S.; Diehl, J.W.; Home, D.K.; Bale, H.D. Prepr, Pap.-Am. Chem. Soc., Div. Fuel Chem.
1988, 33, 826.
2. Olson, E.S.; Swanson, M.L.: Olson, S.H.; Diehl, J.W. Prepr. Pap.-Am. Chem. SOC., Div. Fuel
Chem. 1986, 31, 64.
Y
773
Table 1. Extractions of Wyodak
Reanion Conditions
Flow, Temp., Time, Pressure,
coal Yield, %' Solvent mWmin 'C min psi Pw IN
wyodak 10 2-BU' 1 350 5 980 Fast 177
265 25 640
265 25 620
WYW 8 2-Bu I 350 5 920 Slow 243
W Y U 12 2-Bu I 350 ul 980 Slow 267
365 10 630
WY- 12 2-Bu 1 350 40 la00 Slow 309
365 20 640
wyodak 16.2 2-Bu 2 350 30 1250 Slow 254
WY& 8 EIOH' 1 246 30 la00 Fast 137
' Extraction w. coal (mf) - wt. char (mf)/w. coal (mf) x 100. mf refers to moisture free.
' 2-Bumone.
' Ethanol.
Pressure drop.
Table 2. Extractions of Gascoyne
Reaction Conditions
Flow, Temp.. Time, Pressure.
Coal Yield, %' Solvent mWmin 'C min psi PD' IN
Gascoyne 13.5 2-gU3 1 350 30 1250 Fast 256
Gascoyne 13.2 E ~ O H ~ I 350 30 1500 Slow 280
Gascoyne 11.6 2-Bu I 350 30 1250 Slow 361
Gascoyne 19.3 2-Bu 1 3% 30 2% Slow 301
' Extraction wt. coal (mf) - wl. char (mf)/wt. coal (mf) X 100. mf refers to mOiSNre free.
' Pressure drop. ' 2-Butanone.
' Ethanol.
Table 3. Extractions of Wyodak with Stabilizer Addition'
conditions
Temp., Time, Pressure. Additive
coal Yield, % "C min psi (4) IN
wyodak 8 350 5 920 None 243
265 25 620
Wycdak 13.4 350 5 1050 TEOS 293
265 25 620 (300)
wyodak 8 350 5
265 25
wyodak I2 350 20
265 10
wyodak 12 350 20
265 IO
Wy& 12 350 20
265 10
Wycdak 12.5 350 30
wyodak 13 33.3 30
Wyodak 13.8 350 300
920
650
980
630
loo0
620
980
640
Loo0
loo0
500
1200
TIP 238
(300)
None 267
TEOS 281
(m)
TEOS 297
(300)
None 283
TEOS 299
TIP 28 1
wyodak 9 350 30 1250 TBB 328
' Solvent = 2-butanone, flow rate = 1 mllmin. pressure drop = slow.
Table 4. Extractions of Gascoyne with Stabilizer Added'
Reaction Conditions
Temp., Time, Ressure, Additive
Coal Extraction, I 'C min psi ( t L ) IN
Gascoyne 11.6 350 30 1250 None 361
G~WYW 14.4 350 30 1250 TBB (300) 266
Gascoyne 10.2 350 30 1250 p-Thiocresol (300) 259
' Solvent = methylethyl ketone. flow rate = I mUmin.
STRUCTURAL AND THERMAL BEHAVIOR OF COAL COMBUSTION AND
GASIFICATION BY-PRODUCTS: SEM, FTIR, DSC, and DTA Measurements
P. S. Valimbe', V. M. Malhotra', and D. D. Banerjee'.
1, Department of Physics, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois 62901-4401
2. Illinois Clean Coal Institute, Carterville, Illinois 6291 8-0008.
Keywords: Coal combustion residues, scrubber sludge, thermal and spectroscopic characterization
ABSTRACT
The pulverized coal combustion fly ash, fluidized bed combustion fly ash, fluidized bed
combustion spent bed ash, and scrubber sludge samples were systematically characterized using
scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), differential thermal
analysis (DTA), and transmission Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) techniques. Our spectroscopic
results indicated that the scrubber sludge is mainly composed of a gypsum-like phase whose lattice
structure does not exactly match either conventional gypsum (CaS0,.2&0) or hannebachite
(CaSO,.OS%O). SEM images suggested that unlike PCC fly ash particles, which were mainly
spherical, the FBC fly ash and FBC spent bed ash particles were irregularly shaped and showed
considerable fusion, FE3C fly ashes were mainly composed of anhydrite, lime, portlandite, calcite,
hematite, magnetite, and various glass phases. The DTA and DSC data presented evidence implying
that the PCC fly ash is thermally stable at 30°C < T < 1100°C. However, this was not the case for
FBC ashes.
INTRODUCTION
More than 800 million tons of coal per year are burned in the United States, producing
approximately 10 % of the coal burned as combustion residues in the form of solids. These solids,
which are largely noncombustible, are classified as "fly ash" and "bottom ash". The fly ash particles
are fine materials which are mostly captured in precipitators and in bag houses. The bottom ash term
is used for those materials which settle or flow as melt to the bottom of the boiler. If the boiler is
designed to use pulverized coal, then the coal combustion by-products are called "pulverized coal
combustion" (PCC) fly ash and PCC bottom ash.
The midwestern USA coals are high in sulfur content. The suhr in coal is in the form of
inorganic minerals (chiefly pyrite) and is also organically bound Therefore, environmental concerns
require that the sulfur content of the coal be reduced if this abundant resource is to be continuously
utilized. A two prong approach is being developed to mitigate the sulfur problem. In the first,
physical, chemical, and microbiological coal cleaning techniques have been and are being developed
to reduce the sulfur content of midwestern coals. In the second, technologies have been developed
and are being perfected to capture sulfur-containing combustion gases during coal combustion. One
such clean coal technology is fluidized bed combustion (FBC)','. The advantage of the FBC
technology is that it affords a large reduction of SO, from the combustion gases. The sorbents, like
calcium carbonate (CaCO,) and calcium oxide (CaO), are injected along with the coal into FBC
combustor. As SO, is produced, it reacts with the sorbent and is captured in the form of anhydrous
calcium sulfate (CaSO,)'.'. There are also reports in the literature which suggest the formation of
sulfides4. Just like for conventional combustors, two types of solid residues are produced, e g , FBC
fly ash, which leaves the combustor at the top, and FBC spent bed ash, which is left at the bottom of
the combustor.
Wet scrubber processes are extensively used in flue gas desulfurization (FGD) technology. The
major waste products produced are gypsum, calcium sulfite (CaSO,), fly ash, and excess reagent?.
Calcium sulfite may be oxidized to calcium sulfate which in combination with water forms gypsum, It
is generally believed that the calcium sulfate purity of residues from wet scrubber technology using
lime or limestone ranges between 95 YO to R? %.
It is estimated that by the turn of century about 200 million tons of coal combustion residue
will be produced annually. With the current cost of residue disposal expected to rapidly escalate, the
economic stakes for the coal utilization industry are substantial. Consequently, the technologies
which can convert combustion residues into high value, but economically sound, materials are of
utmost importance. Presently, only about 25% of the combustion residues generated are utilized',
with the rest going to landfill or surface impoundments. Therefore, efforts are underway to find
alternative usage69 of the combustion residues, e g . , ultra-lightweight aggregates for insulation
industry, Portland cement-based FBC mixes, highway and street construction, construction bricks or
tiles, roofing or paving tiles, pipe construction, and ashalloys. We have recently initiated research in
our laboratory in which we are attempting to form advanced composite materials from coal
combustion residues obtained from Illinois utilities. However, the successful utilization of coal
776
combustion and gasification residues requires a thorough physical and chemical characterization of
these ashes,
EXPENMENTAL TECENIQUES
For our characterization studies, we examined four samples, i.e., PCC fly ash (Baldwin), FBC
fly ash (ADM), FBC spent bed ash (ADM),a nd scrubber sludge (CmP ) . The residue samples were
obtained from the sample bank established at the Mining Engineering Department of Southern Illinois
university at Carbondale. The magnetic content of PCC fly ash, FBC fly ash, and FBC spent bed ash
Was extracted from the as-received ashes by applying a magnetic separation technique.
Microscopic studies of the coal combustion residues were accomplished using a Hitachi S570
scanning electron microscope. The samples were mounted on the SEM sample stubs using sticky
tabs. The mounted samples were then cured at 60°C for 24 hours to ensure that the ash particles
would not detach from the stub while under the electron beam. Mer curing, the samples were
sputter coated with 40 nm of gold layer to help eliminate the problem of sample charging. The SEM
data were collected using an accelerating voltage of 20 kV, except for FBC spent bed ash whose
SEM pictures were acquired at an accelerating voltage of 10 kV to reduce sample charging.
The structural characteristics of the combustion ashes and scrubber sludge were probed by
recording their FTIR spectra. We used KBr pellet technique to collect the infrared spectra on a IBM
IR44 FTIR spectrometer. Since the
as-received scrubber sludge sample was wet, i.e., had substantial amount of moisture in it, the sludge
was dried at 100°C prior to making its KBr pellets.
One hundred scans were acquired at a 4 cm" resolution.
.
The thermal behavior of coal combustion residues and scrubber sludge were obtained using
DSC and DTA techniques. The DSC data were recorded on PCC fly ash, FBC fly ash, FBC spent
bed ash, and scrubber sludge using a well calibrated'"12 Perkin-Elmer DSC7 system interfaced with a
486 PC computer. The procedures adopted for the calibration of the temperature and of the specific
heat have been described elsewhere',. Our calibrated DSC system had a temperature precision of k 1
K. The thermal characteristics of the residues using DSC technique were ascertained at 30°C < T <
600°C. We used a heating rate of 2O0C/min under a controlled N, purge environment (30 cm3/min) to
collect our DSC data.
The thermal stability of fly ashes, spent bed ash and scrubber sludge at 50°C < T < 1010" was
examined by acquiring DTA data using a Perkin-Elmer DTA7 system. The samples were heated from
50T to 1000°C under a nitrogen gas environment. The heating rate used was 20"C/min.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Microscopic Studies: Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4 reproduce the SEM micrographs of PCC fly ash,
FBC fly ash, FBC spent bed ash, and scrubber sludge, respectively. The PCC fly ash particles were
mainly composed of spherically-shaped particles whose sizes ranged from 0.2 mm to 15 mm. The
spherical particles were usually hollow. It should be noted from Fig. 1 that small spherical particles of
PCC fly ash were attached to bigger fly ash particles giving the appearance of agglomerates. Our
SEM data on PCC fly ash did show some irregularly shaped particles in the ash, but predominantly
particles were spherical. From the SEM micrographs of FBC fly ash, it appears that this ash had
small particles of the range 0.1 mm to 1 mm, which had fked together to form agglomerates of the
size ranging from 2 mm to 100 mm. Our SEM micrographs also indicated that the FBC fly ash
contained very little spherical particles unlike PCC fly ash. The lack of the presence of spherical
particles in FBC fly ash may be due to the lower combus!ion temperatures'.' for FBC combustor
(around 850'C) than for PCC combustor (around 1150°C). The microscopic analysis of the FBC
spent bed ash exhibited three distinct types of particles in this ash material. The first type of particles
had a smooth surface to which smaller particles @e., 2 nun - 10 mm) were fused. These smooth
particles lacked any pore structure. The second type of particles showed varying shapes and sizes but
generally was around 750 mm. The third type of particles in this ash had a glass-like structure, These
particles had an extensive pore structure, as can be seen in Fig. 3, and their sizes ranged from 250 mm - 300 mm. Figure 4 reproduces the SEM micrographs of scrubber sludge particles which were dried
at room temperature. Generally, the sludge particles had a whisker-like shape, ranging from 50 mm
to 400 mm in length, and were about 50 mm thick. In addition to the whisker-like particles, the
sludge had some agglomerated parficles whose average size was about 100 mm.
Thermal Behavior: The thermal stability of the PCC fly ash, FBC fly ash, FBC spent bed ash,
and scrubber sludge was probed by recording their DSC and DTA data. The main thermal events
observed from our DSC results are summarized in Table 1. The high temperature thermal stability of
the combustion residues was ascertained by collecting DTA data at 50°C - 1000°C. We summarize
our DTA results in Table 2, and Fig. 5 depicts typical DTA curves obtained from the combustion
residues and scrubber sludge. The thermal data can be summarized as follows: (a) The PCC fly ash
I17
Sample
PCC Fly Ash
FBC Fly Ash
FBC Spent Bed
Ash
Scrubber Sludge
The additional endothermic event at 674°C for FBC fly ash strongly suggested the presence of
hematite (a-Fe,O,) in this ash. It should be noted from Fig. 5 that this thermal event was absent from
the spent bed ash's DTA curve. The weak endothermic peak could be assigned to the magnetic
transformation of hematite". (c) The DSC and DTA curves for the scrubber sludge showed a strong
endothermic peak at 180°C and a weak exothermic peak at 380°C. The endothermic peak at 180°C
suggested the dehydration ofthe gypsum, i t . ,
CaS0,.2qO+ CaSO, + 2qO (vapor).
From their thermogravimetric experiments, Dorsey and Bueckerl' suggested the presence of calcium
sulfite in their sample of scrubber sludge. They reported weight loss at 408°C < T < 452°C from their
sample and associated this weight loss with the dehydration of hemihydrate (CaSO,.CaSO,. 1/2H,O),
is.,
Thermal Event Temperature ("C) % Weight Loss on
Heating the sample to
580°C
4.4
Endothermic 420 2.7
Endothermic 420 1
Endothermic 141 17.2
Endothermic 176
Exothermic 380
CaSO,. CaSO,. 1 /2%0+ CaSO,. CaSO, + 1 /29O(vapor)
As listed in Table 2, the exothermic peak at 380°C for our scrubber sludge sample began at around
348°C and terminated at around 493°C. Therefore, one may argue that the exothermic peak at 380°C
could be assigned to the dehydration of hemihydrate. The FTR spectrum of our scrubber sludge
sample did not show any oscillators at 970 and 945 cm.' due to sulfite ions. Moreover, dehydration
should produce an endothermic peak. It has been reported in the literatureI6 that on heating gypsum it
undergoes a polymorphous transformation at 370°C < T < 460°C which results in a weak, exothermic
peak . Therefore, we assigned the exothermic peak at 380°C for our scrubber sludge to this
polymorphous transition.
Spectroscopic Characterization: The spectroscopic studies of various combustion residues
were undertaken to characterize the mineral and glass phases of the PCC fly ash, FBC fly ash, FBC
spent bed ash, and scrubber sludge. In Fig. 7 we have reproduced the transmission-FTIR spectrum of
scrubber sludge particles which were air dried prior to recording their spectrum. Three very strong
bands were observed at 1154, 1126, and 1105 cm". In addition, a doublet having frequencies 662
and 602 cm-l was observed. In the water's stretching region, two distinct vibrational modes could be
Seen at 3617 and 3559 cm.'. In the water's bending region only a single oscillator was observed at
778
\
I
1620 Cm', It is generally believed that the FGD residue, e.g., scrubber sludge, contains calcite
(taco,), hannebachite (C&O3.O.54O), gypsum (CaS0,.2&0), quartz (SiOJ, and troilite (FeS).
The absence of any vibrational bands below 450 cm" led us to discount the presence of troilite in our
sample. Since we did not observe any band in the FTIR spectrum of the scrubber sludge at around
1430 Cm", we could also rule out the presence of calcite particles in our sludge sample. The
argument that quartz may be present in our sample was discarded because the diagnostic bands for it
at around 1050 and 472 cm'l were not observed in our FTIR spectrum. However, our
tranSmission-FTR data did suggest the presence of gypsum. The vibrational bands at 1154, 1126,
and 1105 cm-' could be assigned to v3 of sulfate of gypsum, while the oscillators at 662 and 602 cm-'
could be attributed to v, of sulfate ions. The presence of two vibrational modes in the water's
stretching region implied that there are two types of hydrates in our scrubber sludge. A comparison
Of a Commercially available gypsum's FTIR spectrum, see Fig. 7, with our scrubber sludge spectrum
indicated that gypsum formed in the FGD residue had a lattice structure which was different from that
of commercial gypsum. It is worth pointing out that the FTIR spectrum of bassanite (CaSO,.0.5~0)
shows a vibrational mode at about 3615 cm" and we observed a band at 3617 cm.'. However, we
could not assign 3617 cm.' band ro bassanjte because the accompanying water band at 3465 cm.' was
absent in our spectrum. We also ruled out the presence of hannebachite because of two reasons, i.e.,
(a) we did not observe the expected strong bands at 975 and 940 cm" of SO, ion in our FTIR
spectrum of the scrubber sludge, and (b) we did not see any rectangular crystals, which could be
associated with hannebachite, in our SEM images of the sludge. In
TABLE 2
The Thermal Characteristics of the Combustion Residues as determined by DTA
at 50°C < T < 1100°C.
275
348 493
Peak Temperature
CC)
155
185
574
438
674
205
442
180
380
view of the discussion presented above we argue that scrubber sludge is mainly composed of
gypsum. However, its lattice structure is not identical to the lattice structure of conventional gypsum.
The transmission-FTIR spectrum of PCC fly ash, FBC fly ash, and FBC spent bed ash is
reproduced in Fig. 7, and the observed frequencies are listed in Table 3. Based on the observed FTIR
spectrum, it is argued that PCC fly ash is largely composed of various oxides. The strongest bands in
our transmission-FTIR spectrum of PCC fly ash originated from quartz. The transmission-FTIR
spectrum of as-received FBC fly suggested the presence of quartz , anhydrite (CaSO,), lime (CaO),
portlandite (Ca(OH)J, calcite, hematite (Fe,O,), magnetite (Fe,O,), and glass phases. From the
observed infrared frequencies of F8C spent bed ash, which are listed in Table 3, the following
minerals have been identified, i.e., anhydrite, lime, portlandite, calcite, periclase, hematite, and
magnetite. It is also generally reported that spent bed ash contains Cas. The formation of Cas is
believed to occur for circulating fluidized bed combustion (FBC) via the following reaction, i.e., CaO
+ 4s 3 Cas + H,O. However, it is difficult for us to confirm the presence of Cas in our FBC spent
bed a h as Cas produces no infrared bands.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This research was supported by grants made possible by the U. S. Department of Energy
Cooperative Agreement Number DE-FC22-92PC9252 1 and the Illinois Department of Energy
through the Illinois Coal Development Board and the Illinois Clean Coal Institute. Neither the
authors nor the U. S. Department of Energy, Illinois Clean Coal Institute, nor any person acting on
behalf of either: (A) Make any Warranty of representation, express or implied, with respect to the
accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of the information contained in this report, or that the use of
719
any information, apparatus, method, or process disclosed in this report may not infringe
privately-owned rights; or (B) Assume any liabilities with respect to the use of, or for damages
resulting from the use of, any information, apparatus, method or process disclosed in this report.
References herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark,
manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement,
recommendation, or favoring by the U. S. Department of Energy. The views and opinions of authors
expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the U. S. Department of Energy.
REFERENCES
1. M. Valk, "Fluidized Bed Combustors" in 'Fluidized Bed Combustion', M. Radovanovic, Ed.,
2. L. Yaverbaum, 'Fluidized Bed Combustion of Coal and Waste Materials', Noyes Data Co. (1977).
3. R. J. Collins, J. Testing and Evaluation 8, 259 (1980).
4. E. E. Berry, R. T. Hemmings, B. J. Cornelius, and E. J. Anthony, "Sulphur Oxidation States in
Residues From a Small-Scale Circulating Fluidized Bed Combustor" in 'Fly Ash and Coal
Conversion By-products Characterization, Utilization and Disposal V', R. T. Hemmings, E. E
Berry, G. J. McCarthy, and F. P. Glasser, Eds., Materials Res. SOC. Procd. 136, 9 (1989).
Inter. Pittsburgh Coal Conf., S-H Chiang, Ed., pp 561-566 (1993).
Hemisphere Publishing Co., Washington (1 986).
5. L. B. Clarke, "Management of FGD Residues: An International Overview", Procd. 10th Annual
6. D. Golden, EPRI Journd, JanuaryEebruary, pp 46-49 (1994).
7. C. A. Holley, Preprints, Am. Chem. SOC. Fuel Div. 36(4), 1761 (1991).
8. 0. P. Modi, A. K. Singh, A. H. Yegneswaran, and P. K. Rohatgi, J. Materials Science lett. 11,
9. S. Ciby, B. C. Pai, K. G. Satyanarayana, V. K. Vaidyan, and P. K. Rohatgi, J. MaterialsEng
IO. S. Jasty, P. D. Robinson, and V. M. Malhotra, Phys. Rev. B 43, 13215 (1991).
11. R. Mu, and V. M. Malhotra, Phys. Rev. B 44,4296 (1991).
12. S. Jasty, and V. M. Malhotra, Phys. Rev. B 45, 1 (1992).
13. R. C. Mackenzie and G. Berggren in 'Differential Thermal Analysis. Volume 1: Fundamental
14. 0. Chaix-Plucher, J. C. Niepce, and G. Martinez, J. Materials Sci. Lett. 6, 1231 (1987).
15. D. L. Dorsey and D. Buecker, Res. & Develop., May (1986).
16. D. N. Todor, 'Thermal Analysis of Minerals', Abacus Press, Kent (1976)
TABLE 3
This table summarizesthe observed infrared bands for PCC fly ash, FBC fly ash, and FBC spent bed
ash. The observed frequencies are in cm".
1466 (1992).
Performance 2,353 (1993).
Aspects', R. C. Mackenzie, Ed., Academic Press, New York (1970).
PCC Fly Ash I FBC Fly Ash I FBC Spent I Comments 1 . Assignment Bed Ash
3,642
3,448
1,63 1
1,072
794
778
694
613
593
560
462
3,642
3,462
1,449
1 I44
1 1 1 1
1,011
885
795
68 1
616
602
515
462
3,642
3,448
1,624
1,448
1154
1122
945
920
680
615
605
595
560
462
sharp 0-H stretch [Ca(OH),]
broad 0-H stretch, adsorbed
water
sharp, weak H-0-H bend of water
broad, medium asymmetric C0;stretch
broad, strong SO;' stretch
broad, strong Si-0 stretch
broad, weak CaSO,
sharp, weak 0-H bend [Ca(OH),]
sharp, weak CaCO,
[CaGO,I
broad, strong [Cas041
sharp, medium
sharp, weak
sharp, weak
sharp, weak
sharp, weak
sharp, weak
sharp, weak
broad, weak
broad, weak
broad, medium
quartz
quartz
quartz
Anhydrite [CaSO,]
Anhydrite [CaSO,]
Anhydrite [CaSO,]
Anhydrite [CaSO,]
Fe,O, and Fe,O,
oxides
auartz
180
\
Figure 1 SEM photo ofPCC fly ash showing the spherical nature of the particles
-28 w
- * "
Figure 2 SEM photo of FBC fly ash
61.5pm
Figure 3. SEM photo of FBC spent bed ash
-113-.2 p m
Figure 4. SEM photo of scrubber Sludge
781
h v o
0
v +
a
-5
FBC Spent Bed Ash
BC Spent Bed Ash
\I 200 400 600 800 1000
TEMPERATURE (O C)
Figure 5. Differential thermal analysis @TA) of combustion residues and scrubber sludge.
1
3000 2000 1000
FREQUENCY (cm-1)
Figure 6. FTIR spectrum of combustion residues
I I I
3000 2000 1000
FREQUENCY (crn-l)
Figure 7. FTJR Spectrum of scrubber sludge and a commercial gypsum sample.
782
I i
A COMPARISON OF ZEOLITE AND DOLOMITE AS GASIFICATION TAR-CRACKING
CATALYSTS
and Brian C. Young
Energy & Environmental Research Center
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, ND 58202-9018
Keywords: tar-cracking catalysts, gasification, zeolite, dolomite
ABSTRACT
Unconverted liquid products produced during steam gasification of coal are heavy tars. The object
of this study was to compare a zeolite with dolomite as tar-cracking catalysts. Up to 75% of the tars
from a lignite and a subbituminous coal were cracked to lower molecular weight compounds by use
of a heated catalyst bed. Collection of the tars downstream of the catalyst bed resulted in
approximately 50% less tar from the test with dolomite as the catalyst than with zeolite. Simulated
distillations of the tars showed more effective cracking with the dolomite than with the zeolite.
INTRODUCTION
Tar produced in the gasification of coal is deleterious to the operation of downstream equipment,
including fuel cells, gas turbines, hot-gas stream cleanup filters, and pressure-swing adsorption
systems. Catalytic cracking of tars to smaller hydrocarbons can be an effective means of removing
these tars from gas streams and, in the process, generating useful products, e.g., methane gas, which
is crucial to operation of molten carbonate fuel cells.
The need for on-line cracking of gasification tars is common to many processes involving gas stream
cleanup. Aerosol tars are not readily removed from gas streams by conventional means and, as a
consequence, often result in plugged filters or fouled fuel cells, turbines, or sorbents. Catalytic
cracking of tars to molecular moieties of C,, or smaller would prevent these problems. As an example,
the moving Bourdon (fixed-bed) gasifier by virtue of its efficient countercurrent heat exchange and
widespread commercial use may offer the lowest-cost IGCC system, provided tar generation and
wastewater contamination can be minimized. This study involved catalytic tar cracking to evaluate the
potential of selected catalysts to minimize tar accumulation and maximize char conversion to useful
liquid and/or gaseous products.
EXPERIMENTAL
Two low-rank coals (LRC) were chosen for testing the tar-cracking propensity of dolomite and a
zeolite (Engelhard X-2388). The proximate analyses of the Beulah West Pit lignite and Beluga
Alaskan subbituminous are shown in Table 1.
Pyrolysis and steam gasification were carried out in the integrated bench-scale gasifier (IBG). A
' module for containing a catalyst bed was fabricated and connected by flange to the top of the IBG
reactor. The module was heated through contact with the reactor (conduction) and flow-through of
gases from the reactor (convection). Operated in the fluidized mode, the fully instrumented IBG was
used to pyrolyze and gasify coal. The gas and tar produced exited the reactor through the catalyst
module containing a hot catalyst (dolomite or zeolite) bed, passed through two water-cooled
condensers, and was analyzed by on-line Fourier Transform infrared spectrometry (FT-IR). Trapped
liquids were collected in two water-cooled condensers connected in series and were saved for later
analysis. In addition, the product gas was sampled periodically by collecting samples in gas bags for
later analysis by gas chromatography (GC).
IBG
The IBG is a small batch process gasifier, with a charge capacity of nominally 70 g of coal. This unit
provides data on the effects of bed fluidization, conversion of feedstock, reaction rate response to
temperature, pressure, catalyst and feed gas composition and flow rate, and gaseous products, while
providing sufficient quantities of conversion products for subsequent analysis. The top of the reactor
has been fitted with a catalyst module through which the hot exhaust gas must pass before entering the
series of two condensers. Although the module has no heaters of its own, it receives heat from the
reactor and tends to remain predictably within 5O0-IO0"C of the reactor. A typical catalyst charge
to the module is 30-50 g. Gas flows uninterrupted through the system and through the heated ET-IR
cell. Gas exiting the second condenser flows through the cell where it is analyzed. The data obtained
indicate the effect on the tar by noting the levels of methane in the gas stream. In this study, dolomite
and zeolite were tested for their effect on the pyrolysis tar.
RESULTS
Gas Production During Steam Gasification of Beulah Lignite
Table 2 shows the operating parameters for steam gasification of Beulah West Pit lignite in the IBG.
The temperatures at which the Beulah lignite was gasified were selected on the basis of potential
operating temperatures of various gasifiers. Beluga subbituminous coal was gasified at only one
temperature, Le., 800°C. The conversions shown are based on maf proximate analysis values for
volatiles and fixed carbon in raw coal sample. There was a clear conversion trend with temperature,
with 90 wt% conversion or above occurring at or above 700°C. Each reaction was carried out at the
gasification temperature indicated until the production of CO, as monitored by IR spectrometry became
negligible, generally 1 to 3 hours. The dolomite tended to decrepitate, producing fines, some of
which blew over into the primary trap. The quantities of dolomite blown over did not correlate with
temperature, but rather the fines tended to blow over with the occasional random increases in gas flow
resulting primarily from uneven steam flow.
The methane content of the gaseous product normalized to the volatiles content of the coal from tests
at each of the five gasification temperatures are shown in Figure I . Pyrolysis methane is produced
initially at temperatures above 500°C and drops off after about 25 minutes into the run. Methane
continues to be produced as a result of methanation reaction and catalytic cracking. Methane is not
a product of the reaction carried out at 250°C. but substantial methane is produced at each of the other
temperatures. Indeed, at 700°C, more methane relative to the volatiles content was produced than at
850°C.
Tar Production During Steam Gasification of Beulah Lignite
The tar collected from each of the tests listed in Table 2 was analyzed following collection of the tar
from the tubing and extraction from the liquids collected in the condensers. Table 3 shows the tar
content collected following the catalyzed tar-cracking experiments (Tar,) at each of the five
temperatures, relative to the tar content collected following the uncatalyzed tar-cracking experiments
(Tar,) at each of the same temperatures. During each of these experiments, the catalyst was heated
by the reactor and the flowing gases and was approximately 50°-100"C cooler than the reactor
temperature shown in Table 3. Dolomite decrepitation and powder carryover contributed to the
unexpectedly high dolomite tar recovery at 700°C. Care was taken following during the remaining
tests to ensure that this effect was minimized. Examination of the tar recovered from the 800+"C test
showed a small amount of particulate material, probably dolomite in origin. Noticeable amounts of
particulates were not found in the remaining tar samples.
Characterization of the tar was by simulated distillation. This technique was carried out on a Hewlett-
Packard 5890 gas chromatograph equipped with a flame ionization detector (FID). A column and a
hydrogen carrier gas flow at - I cm'lmin was used to separate the components. The temperature ramp
was 2"C/min to 40°C. then 8"C/min to 320°C. The 1 pl injection was split 150. Peak area % was
calculated from area counts exclusive of solvent peak and was used to approximate relative component
concentrations. No attempt was made to identify individual components. but they were assumed to
be primarily hydrocarbons.
Plots of chromatography cumulative peak area % versus retention time for simulated distillations of
tars collected from the tar cracking tests with and without catalyst at the temperatures of the tests are
shown as Figures 2-4. Tar produced during steam gasification at 800+ "C undergoes some thermal
cracking without benefit of cracking catalyst, as shown in Figure 2. Lighter organics with boiling
points of approximately 150°C and 175°C constituted >50 area% of gas chromatographic components
of the tar produced at 800+"C. The component distributions of the tars produced at 400". 550". and
700°C as determined by area% were not readily distinguishable. The lighter organics with boiling
points of approximately 150" and 175°C made up approximately 40 area% of the gas chromatographic
components produced at 400", 550". and 700°C.
The effluent gas stream passed through a dolomite bed contained few tar components that boiled in the
range 200" to 375°C. as shown by Figure 3. This compares with 25-30 area% of the tar over the
same temperature range when not subjected to contact with a catalyst bed. The tars from each of the
four tests with dolornitc show a large area% for components boiling at a temperature >375"C. The
rest of the components have boiling points below approximately 225°C.
Tar produced at 550°C and passed through a zeolite bed at approximately 45O0-5O0"C had
approximately 55% of its organic components in the boiling point range equal to or less than 175"C,
as shown by Figure 4. Tar produced at 700°C and passed through a zeolite bed at approximately
60O0-650"C had greater than 60 area% representing components with boiling points of approxirn?ely
175°C or less. Tar components in the same boiling point range produced during an 80O1.T
gasification .test and passed through a bed of zeolite at 70Oo-750"C were represented by less than
50 area%. Components boiling at <270°C were represented by 60 area% of the 800+"C tar plot.
184
Tar Production During Steam Gasification of Beluga Subbituminous Coal
The reduction in tar quantity by zeolite and dolomite tar-cracking catalysts was determined from data
obtained at 800°C gasification of Beluga subbituminous coal using the IBG. Dolomite was shown to
be more effective in cracking the tar than the zeolite. The bulk tar collected after cracking with zeolite
Was 58 gas chromatographic area% and approximately one-half the weight of the tar collected with no
cracking catalyst, as compared with 28 gas chromatographic area% and approximately one-fourth the
weight'for cracking with dolomite. In addition, the chromatograms showed greater total components
with dolomite than with zeolite.
CONCLUSIONS
50% or more of tar produced during steam gasification of Beulah lignite at temperatures of
400"-800+"C is cracked by either dolomite or zeolite where the temperature of the catalyst is
50"-100°C below that of the reactor.
Dolomite decrepitated during heating, especially at the tempe~atures > 550°C. resulting in loss to
downstream collection devices.
Overall, dolomite was more effective in the lignite tar cracking. but the X-2388 zeolite appeared
to give slightly better results with the very heavy ends (tars) produced at the higher temperatures.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The authors wish to thank the Engelhard Corporation for providing the zeolite catalyst and the U.S.
Department of Energy and the Morgantown Energy Technology Center for the support to carry out
this work. Thanks is also extended to Ron Kulas and Jerry Petersburg for their assistance with the
laboratory and IBG work.
140
120
8g 100
2
f 80
5
.-- - 2 60
0 40
20
.g 3.0
-al
E 2.5
c- 2.0
1.5
1.0
6 0.5
0.0
._ c
I
c
EERCRT11218CO
No. of Carbons
5 E 7 -8 - 9- -10 11 13 141._5- - -.1 8.1. 9 21 23 25
I 36 98 128 151 195 234 270 317 357- '402 -
-
-
-
-
-
50 100
Time, min
-0.5 I 1
+85O'C +25O'C t 5 5 0 " C +7OO"C -0-4OOT
0
Figure 1. Methane concentration relative to tar production at each of five gasification temperatures
0 10 20 30 40
0'
GC Retention Time, min
Figure 2. Simulated distillation of tar collected during gasification of Beulah lignite at 400". 550",
and 700" and 800 +"C.
785
120
r.n""n -
No. of Carbons
5 6 7 8 9 10 11 13 1415 1819 21 23 25
36 98 126 151 195 234 270 317 357 402
- - - -- . _---_ .-_ - - - . .. , - - .
n-Alkanes, B.P, 'C -
60
40
20 ... -~ . 0 , .. . ,.. ,, .____.I.___.__... 1 0 10 20 30 40 50
GC Retention Time, min
------------- "I_:"""[ ...... 700% .-
800+' -
-
-
Figure 3. Simulated distillation of dolomite-cracked tar collected during gasification of Beulah lignite
at 400". 550". 700". and 800+"C.
EERCRTllllOCDi
No. of Carbons
5 6 7 8 9 10 11 13 1415 1819 21-73. 25
36 98 126 151 195 234 270 317 357 402
- - - - - - .. - - -. . .
n-Alkanes, B.R, "C
- - - 400'C
..'.. 550°C - 700°C c &)O+"C
I
0 10 20 30 40 E
GC Retention Time, min
I
Figure 4. Simulated dis:illation of zeolitecracked tar collected during gasification of Beulah lignite
at 400". 550". 700". and 800+"C.
TABLE 1
Proximate Analysis of Beulah West Pit Lignite and Beulah Subbituminous
Moisture. AR. Volatiles. mf. Fixed Carbon. Ash, mf.
/
Coal Wt % wt% mf, wt% Wt %
Beulah West Pit 30.2 44.8 47.6 7.6
Beluga 22.3 45.0 44.5 10.5
TABLE 2
Conversion of Volatiles and Fixed Carbon to Tar and Gaseous Products
under Steam Gasification Conditions at Different Temperatures
Run Temperature, Am., glmin Conversion
No. Coal "C Catalyst at 50 psig wt%, mf
IBGl I Beulah West 800+ Dolomite Steam, 3-4 97
IBGll
IBG12
IBG12
IBG12
IBG12
IBG12
IBG12
IBG12
IBG12
IBG12
1BG12
IBG13
IBG13
IBG 13
IBG13
IBG13
IBG13
IBG13
Beulah West
Beulah West
Beulah West
Beulah West
Beulah West
Beulah West
Beulah West
Beulah West
Beulah West
Beulah West
Beulah West
Beulah West
Beulah West
Beulah West
Beulah West
Beluga
Beluga
Beluga
250
550
700
400
250
700
700
550
800 +
400
800 +
250
700
550
400
800
800
800
Dolomite
Dolomite
Dolomite
Dolomite
Zeolite
Zeolite
Zeolite
Zeolite
Zeolite
Zeolite
None
None
None
None
None
None
Dolomite
Zeolite
Steam, 3-4
Steam, 3-4
Steam, 3-4
Steam, 3-4
Steam, 3-4
Steam, 3-4
Steam, 3-4
Steam, 3-4
Steam, 3-4
Steam, 3-4
Steam, 3-4
Steam, 3-4
Steam, 3-4
Steam, 3-4
Steam, 3-4
Steam, 3-4
Steam, 3-4
Steam, 3-4
17
48
86
31
12
82
86
44
98
34
98
11
86
45
28
88
90
87
TABLE 3
Uncracked Tar
(TarJTarJ 100%)
Temp., "C Dolomite Zeolite
250 97 106
400
550
700
24
12
47
50
35
351
800 + 19 32
* Average of two tests.
787
HYDROCRACKING OF POLYOLEFINS TO LIQUID FUELS OVER
STRONG SOLID ACID CATALYSTS
K. R. Venkatesh, J. Hu, J. W. Tierney and I. Wender
Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering
University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261
Keywords: polymer hydrocracking, solid acid, synthetic fuel
INTRODUCTION
Post-consumer plastic makes up about 13 wt% of the 48 million tons of total packaging
wastes generated annually'. Plastics are non-biodegradable, constitute a increasingly large
volume of solid wastes (20 vol. % in 1990),, and are not being recycled to a significant extent'.
Pyrolysis, as an alternative for plastic waste recycling, usually results in unsaturated and
unstable oils of low yield and value. Significant amounts of char are formed on pyrolyzing
plastic wastes.
Liquefaction of plastic wastes could be a useful way of producing desirable liquid
transportation fuels. Thermoplastics such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) and
polystyrene (PS) make up the bulk of plastic wastes'. The liquid products obtained from them
are likely to have a high volumetric energy content because of their relatively high (HIC)
atomic ratio. It is known that strong liquid superacids such as Magic acid (HSO,F:SbF,) are
effective in converting paraffinic wax to t-butyl cations at room temperature; however, the
stability of these liquid acids is poor at the high temperatures and reducing environments*
needed for improving the H/C ratio of the products. In this paper, we discuss the results
obtained from the hydrocracking of high density polyethylene (HDPE), PP and PS over metalpromoted
sulfated zirconia catalysts, viz., Pt/Zr02/S04 and Ni/ZrO,/SO,. Strong solid acids
such as these and other anion-modified metal oxides are active in a variety of acid-catalyzed
hydrocarbon reaction^'^^^^*^*^; they are environmentally benign, non-corrosive (unlike strong
liquid acids) and are easily separated from product streams. They are also characterized by
long-term activity in the presence of hydrogen" in reactions such as n-butane isomerization.
EXPERIMENTAL
The sulfated zirconium oxides were prepared as described in a previous publication".
Incorporation of Ni on to sulfated zirconia was achieved using wet impregnation of Ni(NQ),
followed by drying at 110°C overnight and calcination at 600°C for three hours. The amounts
of Pt and Ni promoted onto ZrOJSO, were 0.5 wt% and 2.0 wt% respectively, based on the
final weight of the catalyst. HDPE (density 0.95, M,v.=125,000), PP (isotactic, density 0.85,
M,.=250,000) and PS (M,.=280,000) were obtained from Aldrich Chemicals Inc. and were
used as received. A Pt/A1,03 catalyst (1 wt% Pt) was purchased from Aldrich and was
activated at 450°C in air for one hour before use. All of our polymer reaction studies were
conducted in a 27 cc stainless steel microautoclave attached to a 15 cc reactor stem. The
catalysts were activated at 450°C in air for one hour before use; to minimize exposure to
moisture, they were then charged immediately into a dried (1 10°C) reactor which was then
quickly sealed. After cooling to room temperature, the reactants were added through the
reactor stem. The feed to catalyst ratio was 5: 1 by weight in all experiments. The reaction
pressure (initial) at 325°C and 1200 psig (cold) H, were 1835 psig; initial reaction pressures
at 375°C experiments for 1200 psig (cold) H, and 750 psig (cold) H, were 1930 psig and 1210
psig respectively. The reaction products were analyzed using a GC-MS (Hewlett Packard
5970B) and a gas chromatograph (Hewlett Packard 5890 11) with an FID detector.
Simulated distillations of products obtained were conducted using an HP 5890 Series
I1 gas chromatograph (with a TCD detector) controlled by a HP 3396A integrator which is
programmed to run the ASTM D2887 distillation method. The entire product mixture is
dissolved in carbon disulfide (CS,) to form a homogeneous mixture; CS, is not detected by the
TCD detector of the simulated distillation unit. The result is given as a series of boiling points,
one after every 5 wt% of the sample is eluted. Sulfur analyses of the catalyst samples were
performed by Galbraith Laboratories, Inc.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Hydrocracking of HDPE at 325°C (1200 psig (cold) H,, 60 min.) over the Pt/ZrOJSO.,
I
788
catalyst gave a 25 wt% conversion, mainly to gases (C,-C, alkanes), perhaps due to poor mas
transfer during reaction so that liquid products from the initial cracking of HDPE underwent
multiple cracking to gases. When HDPE was reacted at 375°C and 1200 psig (cold) Hz (for
25 min.) over the same catalyst, more than 99 wt% of HDPE could be converted to liquids
(69 wt%) and C,-C, gases (- 30 wt%) (Table I). Total conversion was based on solid recovered
which likely consisted of polyethylene molecules of shorter chain length than the starting
HDPE. When the same reaction was conducted with a Ni/ZrO,/SO, catalyst, HDPE conversion
exceeded 96 wt% with slightly different liquid and gas yields (Table I). Table I1 lists the
detailed product distribution of the liquid products formed from the reaction of HDPE over
pt/zfl,/So, and Ni/ZrO,/SO, catalysts, for the results shown in Table I. Large amounts of
isoparaffins are obtained for each carbon number, close to an order of magnitude higher than
their Shght-chain counterparts. The high iso-/normal alkane ratios obtained at these
temperatures is due to a kinetic rather than a thermodynamic effect. The more stable branched
carbenium ions could abstract a hydride ion from an oligomeric fragment or react with hydride
ions formed from the dissociation of molecular hydrogen over the metal as suggested by Iglesia
et al." and are thus easily desorbed from the catalytic sites before an equilibrium is reached.
Impregnation of Ni on ZrO,/SO,resulted in a higher iso/normal ratio of C,-C, alkanes
from HDPE than that obtained with Pt. This may be due to the lower hydrogenation activity
of Ni (based on n-hexadecane hydrocracking experiments") resulting in correspondingly lower
concentration of hydride ions on the catalyst surface; the adsorbed carbocations could undergo
a higher degree of skeletal transformation before desorption from the active sites by hydride
transfer.
Hydrocracking of HDPE over a Pt/ZrQ/SO, catalyst was conducted with a lower
hydrogen pressure (750 psig (cold)) with other conditions the same as in Table I. The same
total conversion (99 wt%) was obtained in this reaction but with a higher yield of liquid
products (79.8 wt%) and a correspondingly lower yield of gases (19.2 wt%). Comparison of
the liquid products from HDPE reactions at both values of hydrogen pressure are given below.
Reactions with PP were conducted under the comparatively milder temperature of
325°C in the presence of 1200 psig (cold) H,; at these conditions, PP was converted almost
entirely to C,-C, gases for a reaction time of one hour. When the reaction time was reduced
to 20 minutes, PP conversion was - 100 wt% with about 90 wt% yield of liquid products.
Product analysis showed (Table 111) that 78.6 wt% of C5-C,, gasoline range compounds were
present in the liquid products together with 11.4 wt% products in the diesel range (C,&,,).
Similar results were obtained with a Ni/ZrO,/SO,catalyst in the reaction of PP (Table 111). It
appears that at sufficiently high temperatures, the hydrogenation activity of Ni approaches that
of Pt in these reactions. It was found earlier that, in hydrocracking of n-hexadecane at milder
conditions (16O"C, 350 psig (cold) H,), Ni/ZrO,/SO, showed little activity whereas high
conversions were obtained with a Pt/ZQ/SO, catalyd4. A cheaper, non-noble metal such as
Ni can be effective in these reactions but requires a higher temperature for activation by
' hydrogen. As was the case with HDPE, high ratios of isohormal paraffins was obtained. We
found that PS could also be converted to benzene, alkylated aromatics and bicyclics at 300°C
with 1200 psig (cold) H,.
The reaction of polypropylene at 325°C and 1200 psig (cold) H, over a ZrO,/SO, (in
the absence of either Pt or Ni) catalyst which has strong acidity but no hydrogenation function,
resulted in no appreciable conversion of polypropylene. The white ZrO,/SO, catalyst turned
black during reaction indicating deactivation, possibly by coking. This result confirms the
finding by others5.'* that the presence of a hydrogenation metal on ZrO,lSO, provides stability
to the catalyst by resisting coke formation in a variety of hydrocarbon reactions. On the other
hand, a one wt% Pt supported on y-A1203 catalyst (strong hydrogenation function but weak
acidic function) also gave almost no conversion of PP at 325°C and 1200 psig (cold) H,. It
appears that at the conditions employed for hydrocracking of these polymers, both strong acid
and hydrogenation functions are required for high yields of low molecular weight branched
alkanes in the gasoline range.
We conducted simulated distillations of the product mixtures from polymer
hydrocracking reactions to analyze their boiling point characteristics. The boiling point
distribution Of the liquid prodUCtS obtained from the hydrocracking of HDPE (Table 3) at
3 7 5 " ~fo r 25 minutes over Pt/ZrO,/SO, under two different initial hydrogen pressures are
shown in Figure 1. Reactions under 750 psig (cold) H, and I200 psig (cold) H, seem to have
only a marginal effect on the boiling ranges of the liquid products obtained. More than 90 wt%
of the products are in the gasoline (C5-C12r)a nge (Le., between 90°F (32.2"C) and 421°F
(216.1OC)) indicating the possibility of converting HDPE to a high quality liquid fuel. A
similar boiling point curve was also obtained from the simulated distillation of the products
from PP over Pt/ZrO,/SO,; more than 70 wt% of the products obtained boil in the gasoline
range. A strong tendency towards isomerization over these metal-promoted sulfated zirconia
catalysts was observed for both HDPE and PP hydrocracking; this is reflected by the similar
boiling point curves obtained from products of both polymers.
Despite the high activity of the sulfate-modified zirconia catalysts in these reactions,
they have questionable long-term stability at these severe reducing conditions. Sulfur analyses
of the catalysts after hydrocracking of HDPE revealed that the catalysts lost about 34 wt% of
their starting sulfur contents during reactions at 375°C and in the presence of high Hz
pressures. Since the presence of SO,'- anions on the catalyst surface is responsible for the
strong acidity of these catalysts, loss of sulfur during reaction implies loss of activity for
longer periods of time.
CONCLUSIONS
Sulfate-modified metal oxides promoted by a hydrogenation metal exhibit high activities
for the hydrocracking of HDPE, PP and PS. While HDPE and PP are cracked predominantly
to gasoline range branched alkanes (C5-C,J, PS is hydrocracked to benzene, alkylated
aromatics and bicyclic compounds. Impregnation with a non-noble metal such as Ni, which
showed little activity in alkane hydrocracking at milder conditions (160°C and 350 psig (cold)
H2) resulted in high activity for polymer hydrocracking at 325"C+, indicating that activation
of Ni occurs at higher temperatures. The long-term stability of these catalysts for these
reactions is in doubt due to their loss of sulfur. Novel catalyst formulations which have higher
stability under severe reducing conditions are currently being investigated.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The financial support of this work by the U.S. Department of Energy (Grant No. DEFG22-
93PC93053) is gratefully acknowledged.
REFERENCES
I. R. J. Rowatt, "The Plastics Waste Problem", Chemtech, Jan. 1993, 56-60.
2. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Solid Waste. "Characterization of
Municipal Solid Waste in the United States: 1990 Update" Publ. No. EPA1530-SW-90-
042A. Washington, D.C., 1990.
3. S.G.Howell, J. Hazard. Matl., 29 (1992) 143-164.
4. G.A. Olah, G.K. Surya Pmkash, and J. Sommer, Superacids, John Wiley & Sons, New
5. K. Tanabe and H. Hattori, Chem. Lett., (1976) 625.
6. M. Hino and K. Arata, Chem. Lett., (1981) 1671.
7. K. Arata and M. Hino, React. Kinet. Catal. Lett., (1988) 1027.
8. H. Matsuhashi, M. Hino and K. Arata, Chem. Lett., (1988) 1027.
9. K. Ebitani, H. Konno, T. Tanaka, H. Hattori, J. Catal., 135 (1992) 60-67.
10. Tanabe, K., Hattori, H. and Yamaguchi, T., Crit. Rev. Surf. Chem., l(1) (1990) 1-25.
11. M.Y. Wen, I. Wender and J.W. Tiemey, Energy & Fuels, 4 (1990) 372-379.
12. E. Iglesia, S.L. Soled and G.M. Kramer, J. Catal., 144 (1993) 238.
13. K.R. Venkatesh, J.W. Tiemey and I. Wender, unpublished results.
14. W. Wang, Ph.D. dissertation, University of Pittsburgh, 1994.
York, 1985.
790
PRODUCT
Conversion
Gases (Cl-C6)
Liquids:
C4-Cl2
C 13-C20
C21 and above
Yield (wt%) obtained with
wzlQ/so4 NilZrOJSO,
99 wt% 98 wt%
30.0 28.0
68.7 67.6
0.3 2.4
trace trace
791
PRODUCT
Gases (Cl-C6)
Liquids:
C4-Cl2
C13-C20 '
C21 and above
Yield (wt%) obtained with
Pt/Zrq/SO, NilZrO,lSO,
10.0 14.5
78.6 76.0
11.4 9.5
trace trace
Wt% distilled
Figure 1 Boiling point curves obtained from the simulated distillation of products from
HDPE hydrocracking over a Pt/ZrO,/SO, catalyst at 375°C for 25 minutes under
two different initial H, pressures.
192
TRACE EMISSIONS FROM COAL COMBUSTION:
MEASUREMENT AND CONTROL
Lesley L Sloss
IEA Coal Research, Gemini House, 10-1 8 Putney Hill, London SW 15 6AA
Keywords: trace emissions, measurement, control
MTRODUCTION
Combustion of coal is a potential source of emissions of many trace elements and organic compounds
to the atmosphere. It is important that emissions of potentially toxic air pollutants from sources such
as Coal combustion are measured and, if necessary, controlled in order to limit any environmental
effects. Increasing concern about the effects of trace pollutants in the environment may lead to the
introduction of emission standards for some of these species. If such emission standards are adopted
they must be supported by commercially available equipment which can measure and monitor the
emissions with enough accuracy to ensure compliance.
Efficient coal combustion is not a significant source of emissions of organic compounds and therefore
these compounds are not discussed further here. However, since there is increasing concern over
emissions of mercury from coal combustion, specific attention will be paid to this particular trace
element.
Several reviews have been published by IEA Coal Research on emissions from coal combustion.
These include the halogens (Sloss, 1992). trace elements (Clarke and Sloss, 1992). organic
compounds (Sloss and Smith, 1993), and mercury (Sloss, 1995). A complementary report has also
been published on sampling and analysis of emissions of these compounds from coal-fired power
station stacks (Sloss and Gardner, 1994). This paper draws together the conclusions from these
reports.
EMlSSIONS OF POTENTIAL AIR TOXlCS
Various estimates have been published which attempt to evaluate coal combustion as a sourcc of
potential air toxic emissions. Data from Nriagu and Pacyna (1988) indicate the importance of coal
as a source of some trace elements on a global scale. For example, coal combustion may be
responsible up to 21% of Sb emissions, around 18% of Ni and Se emissions and 15% of Cr emissions
Emissions of Cu, Sn, TI and Zn from coal combustion are also thought to contribute between 5 and
20% of global emissions of these elements.
Estimates from the early 1980s (Pacyna and others, 1993) indicate that coal combustion may be
responsible for up to 25% oftotal global mercury emissions to the atmosphere. There are a few more
recent estimates from some countries in the 1990s, for example, coal's contribution to mercury
emissions from human activities is 23% in Finland, 27% in the former FRG, about 10% in the
Netherlands, 45% in the UK, and 16% in the USA (Sloss, 1995).
Estimation of global and regional budgets is difficult. Emission factors commonly based on a
relatively small amount of actual measured data. The wide variation in the composition of coals, in
combustion conditions, and in pollution control equipment need to be taken into account when
estimating emission factors. Furthermore, many of the techniques used for the measurement of
emissions of trace species, and thus for the estimation of emission factors, are still under development
and are known to have serious limitations. Estimates for global and even regional emissions of trace
species from most sources can therefore be considered as no more than educated guesses.
LEGISLATION
Concern over the emissions of potential air toxics from all sources and their possible effects in the
environment has lead to the introduction of legislative controls in several countries. Legislation
specific to the emission of individual trace elements has been specified in Austria. Germany and
certain states in Australia (AHC, 1992; Maier, 1990; Nilsson, 1991). This legislation is summarised
in Table 1
The 1990 Us Clean Air Act requires the evaluation of emissions of several trace elements with a view
to the possible introduction of relevant legislation in the future (Chow and others, 1990). Legislation
for power stations is also being considered in Canada and the Netherlands. Although no specific
emission standards apply in Sweden, electrical utilities are required to fit best available technologies.
These include particulate controls and FGD processes and therefore result in a substantial reduction
in the emissions of most trace elements (Clarke and Sloss, 1992).
4'
793
MEASUREMENT OF EMISSIONS
Sampling and analysis techniques for the measurement of trace species at the concentrations emitted
from coal-fired power plants are still under development. Countries such as Germany, Japan and the
UK have published guidelines for sampling and analysis of some trace pollutants. In the USA, the
methods are specified by law within the Code of Federal Regulations. However, many of these
methods are known to have inherent problems and are still subject to review.
The maiority of sampling techniques are based, initially, on the separation of gases from particles on
filters. in cyclones or in cascade impactors. Each ofthese techniques are known to have problems
such as clogging and irreversible adsorption (Masterson and Bamert-Wiemer, 1987).
Gaseous species may be analysed directly by analytical instruments, but such instruments are rarely
portable. Samples are more commonly transported to the laboratow for analysis. Some vapour-phase
species may be reduced to liquid form simply by condensation in cooled chambers. Other species are
captured in a series of impinger bottles containing solutions which selectively solubilise the species
of interest. Activated cabon can be used to capture volatile trace metals such as mercury. Although
solid sorbents have the advantage of allowing volatile species to be trapped and transported in a stable
form, some have problems with background contamination and decomposition products (Sloss and
Gardner, 1994).
The development of sampling and analysis techniques for mercury is proving to be a particularly
challenging problem. The speciation of mercury, as oxidised forms such as mercury chloride, or in
the elemental form. determines its behaviour in pollution control equipment and in the environment.
However, mercury emissions cannot be speciated with the standard methods currently available for
sampling emissions of trace metals. New techniques based on sorbents such as activated carbon
appear to be the most promising methods (Sloss and Gardner. 1995: Sloss, 1995).
Sampling and analysis techniques are not at the stage where they are accurate enough to produce a
single value which would be considered representative. From what is already known of the behaviour
of potential air toxics in coal-fired systems, their emissions are never constant, they vary with coal
tvpe, combustion conditions, pollution control systems and wen depend on the concentration,of other
pollutants within the flue gas with which they may react.
Continuous emissions monitors produce virtually real-time data, avoiding transport and handling
errors. and providing true representation of potential air toxic concentrations over time. However,
continuous emissions monitors are not currently available for air toxics. Several systems, such as
those based on FTIR, are under development (Sloss and Gardner, 1994).
EFFECTS OF EMISSION CONTROL TECHNOLOGIES
Currently there are no widely available control technologies designed specifically for the removal or
trace elements from coal-fired power stations. However, technologies for the removal of particulates.
such as electrostatic precipitators (ESP) and fabric filters, and control technologies for SO, and NO,,
may affect emissions of potential air toxics.
Particulate control systems capture any pollutants which are associated with the particles retained.
The capture of individual air toxics thus depends upon their volatility. Most trace elements are not
especially volatile and are captured efficiently by particulate controls. for example only 2% of Cd in
the flue gas passes ESP uncaptured. However, B and Se are slightly more volatile and between 20
and 30% of these elements may pass uncaptured. Unless lime or a similar sorbent has been used in
the boiler. virtually all the halogen gases pass through particulate controls (Clarke and Sloss, 1992;
Sloss, 1992).
The capture of mercury by particulate control devices dependsupon its speciation. Mercury in the
particulate form (G%)is captured efficiently. Oxidised mercury may also be associated with fly ash
or can adsorb onto particles already associated with baghouses. Average mercury capture efficiencies
in ESP and baghouses are around 35-40%. Since mercury speciation is temperature dependant, the
capture of mercury in particulate control devices can be optimised by keeping temperatures as low
as possible (<15OoC) to increase the proportion of mercury in the oxidised form (Sloss, 1995).
Wet and dry flue gas desulphurisation (FGD) systems, required in many countries to remove SO,,
incidentally remove some amounts of potential air toxics. For example, Figure 1 shows the average
removal ofvolatile elements in wet-lime FGD systems in the Netherlands (Clarke and Sloss, 1992).
Some FGD systems remove around 50% of the remaining B and Se in the flue gas. Reductions of
over 90% for all the halogens have been achieved in such systems (Clarke and Sloss, 1992; Sloss,
1992).
794
/
Wet and dry FGD systems have wide ranges of efficiency for mercury capture from 20% up to 90%.
Mercury capture in FGD depends upon its speciation. Up to 95% of oxidised mercury can be
removed in spray dry scrubbers whereas elemental mercury passes through uncaptured. Capture of
mercury in FGD systems can be maximised by increasing the proportion of oxidised mercury in the
flue gas (S~OSS, 1995).
Combustion modifications for NO, control may lead to increased concentrations of unburned carbon
in flue gases. It is not clear to what extent this unbumt carbon may affect the distribution and
behaviour of potential air toxics. NO, control systems do not appear to reduce or increase trace or
minor element emissions. However, high dust SCR systems can oxidise up to 95% of the mercury in
flue gas, enhancing the capture of mercury in FGD systems downstream (Sloss, 1995).
SPECIFIC CONTROL OF POTENTIAL AIR TOXICS
There is currently no requirement for the specific removal or abatement of potential air toxics from
the flue gas of coal-fired power stations. However, in the future, legislation on air toxics emissions
is likely to become more stringent. Some specific technologies for the capture of potential air toxics
are already under development and some are commercially available for use on waste incineration
units. Concentrations of the more harmful air toxics. such as mercury, may be several orders of
magnitude higher in flue gas emissions from waste incinerators than from cod-fired power plants.
Work has already been started in several countries to reduce emissions of air toxics from waste
incinerators. Some of the technologies used in waste incinerators may be applicable, with
modification, to coal-tired units (Clarke and Sloss, 1992).
Sorbents which are available for the removal of heavy metals, such as mercury. from flue gases,
include those based on activated carbon, zeolites, siliceous materials, alumina, and calcium
compounds. Up to 100% of oxidised mercury and 60% of elemental mercury in flue gas may be
captured with activated carbon Sulphur impregnated activated carbons can capture over 9096 of total
mercury emissions and iodine impregnated activated carbons are reported to capture up to 100°/,.
Figure 2 shows mercury removal by different types of activated carbon injected upstream of a spray
dry scrubber and a baghouse. The use of some sorbents in coal-fired power stations may be limited
due to low operating temperatures, harmful secondaw effects and the high cost of some sorbents
(Mojtahedi and Mroueh, 1989).
CONCLUSIONS
Coal combustion is an important source of some trace elements to the environment.
Existing legislation for the control of particulate emissions effectively controls emissions of the
ma-iority of trace elements. Flue gas desulphurisation technologies may efficiently capture many of
the remaining vapour phase pollutants. Over 90% of the halogens and 40-50% of the B and Se may
be captured by this means.
The speciation of mercury determines the emissions and effects of mercury from coal combustion
Particulate control devices may capture up to 40% of mercury emissions, and FGD systems
commonly up to 7Ph These efficiencies may be enhanced by maximising the proportion of mercury
present in the flue gas in the oxidised state. More research is required in order to understand mercury
speciation and to use this information to determine the most appropriate control strategies.
Emission standards are becoming more stringent and, in the future. it is likely that emission limits for
air toxics will be introduced more widely for sources such as coal-fired power plants. However.
emission standards are worthless if the emission concentrations they specify cannot be measured
accurately and on a regular basis by operators and regulatory authorities.
REFERENCES
AHC (I 992), Acrs/ruliuir High ('tnnrnis.sioi~. London, UK, Per.wrml conrrnriiiicu/iorr
Baek S 0, Field R A, Goldstone M E, Kirk P W, Lester J N, Perry R (1991) A review of
atmospheric PAH: sources, fate and behaviour. Wafer, Air aid Soil f+dh/ifJiJ, 60; 279-300
Chow W, Miller M J, Fortune J, Behmns C, Rubin E (1990) Managing Air Toxics. X3rd A M M
Meeling. Pittsburgh, USA, 1990. 15 pp
Clarke L B, Stoss L L ( 1992) 7rocr elernriif ernissI~~~i.s,fcrronorl c~~rnhi~s~aIioidir~ u.~(ficafi~~ii.
IEA CW49. London. UK. LEA Coal Research. 1 1 I pp
Maier H (1990) Emission of volatile and filter-penetrating heavy metals from lignite-fired plants.
VGH Krufm~erk.s/rchnik7, 0 (IO); 749-755
'
795
Masterson T, Barnert-Wiemer H (1987) GithaIion qf rn0s.s balance Ini~e.sligo1ion.isn c0al:fired
powerp/an/s. Juel--2160. Germany, Diisseldorf, Kernforschungsanlage Julich GmbH, 54 pp
Meij R, Spoelstra H, Waard F J de (1989) The determination of gaseous inorganic trace
compounds in flue gases from coal-fired power plants. In: Man and his eco.\yslem. Proceedings qf
/he 81h world clean air c~~iigre1s9s8 9. The Hague, the Netherlands, 1 1-1 5 Sep 1989. Amsterdam,
the Netherlands, Elsevier Science Publishers BV, vol3, pp 7 17-722
Mojtahedi W, Mroueh U M (1989) Tract? elemenls remow1,from hor,flflL. gases. VTT-TUTK-663,
Valtion teknillinen tutkimuskeskus, Espoo, Finland.
Nilsson K (1991) Swedish emission standards for waste incineration. IINKP /ndtf.Wy and
k,it~~Ironmenp/p. 73-74
Nriagu J 0, Pacyna J M (1988) Quantitative assessment of world-wide contamination of air, water
and soils by trace metals. NuItfre, 333; 134-1 39
Pacyna J M, Voldner E, Bidelman T, Evans G, Keeler C J (1993) Emissions, atmospheric
transport and deposition of heavy metals and persistant organic pollutants. In: f'rficeednigs uf the Is/
workshop on emt.w;om atd m~nlellittgq fa /mo.spheric /rampor/p f persis~enlo rganic polltt/an/.sa nd
hemy rnrla1.v. Durham, NC, USA, 6-7 May 1993. vp
Sloss L L (1992) Halogen emis.yions,from coal comhmliotr. IEA CW45. London, UK, IEA Coal
research. 62 pp
Sloss L L (1995) Merc7~yem i.s.siom mid efleffecls: the role efc oal. London, UK, IEA Coal Research.
In draft.
Sloss L L, Gardner C (1994) Sampling m7d anut'ysis of /race emis.sion.s,from c0al;firrd p/an/s.
London, UK, IEA Coal Research. I05 pp (in druft)
Sloss L L, Smith I S (1993) Organic emi.~?on.s.fiomco n1 t~lili.~lionIE. A CW63. London, UK, IEA
Coal Research. 69 pp
Wiederkehr P (1991) Control of hazardous air pollutants in OECD countries a comparative policy
analysis. Mmqing Hazardmrs Air Polltrlattls: Stale of /he Arl. EPRl Conference, Washington 199 1.
16 PP
Table 1
COUNTRY AIR TOXIC LIMIT (mdm')
National legislation for air toxic emissions from coal-fired power plants
Australia
Austria
As, Cd, Hg, Ni, Pb. Sb, V Varies between States
and Territories
Cr, Pb, Zn 2.0 (total of all three)
As, Co, Ni 0.5 (total of all three)
Cd and Hg 0.05 (total separately)
Germany Inorganic dust
Category I Cd, Hg, TI 0 2 (total of all three)
Category I1 As, Co, Ni, Se, Te 1 .O (total of all three)
Category 111 Cr, Cu, Mn, Pb, Pd, '
Pt, Sb, Sn, V 5 0 (total of all three)
Organic substances
Category I
Category 11
Category 111
20 (total)
100 (total)
150 (total)
Carcinogenic substances
Category 1 (including BaP) 0.1 (total)
Category 111 hydrazine etc 5.0 (total)
Category 11 As, Co etc 1.0 (total)
Planned legislation Canada, the Netherlands, the US4
'196
100
80 s
gn 60
2 40
-c
E"
t 20
0 L Se n-l F I
Figure 1 Average removal of volatile elements in wet-lime
FGD systems In the Netherlands
1w
90
80
70
-
g9 6 0
5 50
$ 40
30
0
20
io
Iodine impregnated
carbon
Sulphur Impregnated
carbon
I I I I I I
0 1 2 3 4 5
L
Relalive carbon injection rate
Figure 2 Influence of active carbon type on mercury removal
797
TRACE METAL CONTENT OF COAL AND ASH AS DETERMINED USING
SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY WITE
WAVELENGTH-DISPERSIVE SPECTROMETRY
Karen A. Katrinak and Steven A. Benson
Energy & Environmental Research Center
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, ND 58202-9018
Keywords: scanning electron microscopy, trace metals, coal analysis
ABSTRACT
Scanning electron microscopy with wavelength-dispersive spectrometry has been used to
measure trace metals in coal and ash. Hg, As. Ni, and Se have been detected in individual pyrite
grains in Illinois #6 coal at levels up to 2680 ppm, 410 ppm, 320 ppm, and 880 ppm, respectively.
These elements were present in fewer than half the grains analyzed. Cr has been detected at up to
950 ppm in half of clay mineral grains analyzed in Illinois #6 coal. The same trace metals were
detected in pyrite and clay grains from Pittsburgh #8 coal.
Ash samples show a similarly heterogeneous distribution of trace metals. Hg has been
detected at up to 700 ppm in 24% of aluminosilicate. particles analyzed in ash from Absaloka coal,
a subbituminous Montana fuel.
These data confrm that coal cleaning processes which remove pyrite are likely to be
suitable for trace metal emissions control. In addition, back-end control devices which target
specific types of ash particles may be helpful for control of air toxics emissions.
INTRODUCTION
Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is one of the analytical tools available for
determining the abundance of trace metals in coal and ash samples. This information is important
in predicting and evaluating the behavior of these substances in combustion processes, a topic
which is of increased importance in recent years as stricter regulation of trace metal emissions
from coal-fired power plants is under consideration. Although scanning electron microscopy is
not routinely applied to detection of trace quantities of metals, the use of a wavelength-dispersive
spectrometer attachment makes such analyses possible.
Scanning electron microscope techniques differ from traditional trace metal analysis
techniques in that SEM provides information with high spatial resolution, compared with the bulk
compositions obtained through atomic absorption and other widely-used methods. High-spatialresolution
data concerning trace metal distribution in coal and ash is important for two reasons.
First, ash behavior in fossil fuel combustion systems is best understood in terms of the behavior of
individual particles. Knowledge of the bulk composition of an ash deposit frequently is not
sufficient in determining what caused that deposit to have its particular physical characteristics
such as size, &ability, crystallinity. and density. Information concerning the chemical and
mineralogical composition of individual ash particles can provide insight into how particles
interact and transform to produce a deposit. Methods for obtaining this information using SEM
with energy-dispersive x-ray spectrometry (EDS) have become widely available (1-3). The SEMEDS
technique provides data for major elements only, with detection limits of approximately 0. I
wt%. In order to obtain similar information concerning trace elements, SEM with wavelengthdispersive
spectrometry (SEM-WDS) must be used. The SEM-WDS technique has detection
limits of approximately 100 ppm (0.01 wt%) for most metals. Although it is time-consuming, the
SEM-WDS method is valuable because it provides a means for acquiring single-particle trace
element data for coal and ash particles, information that is essential in understanding how best to
control the emission of trace elements from combustion sources. Trace metal emissions from
coal-fired power plants may be subject to increased regulation; thus knowledge of how best to
control them is vital.
A second reason for investigating the distribution of trace metals at high spatial resolution
is that this information is helpful in understanding potential health effects of these substances.
Trace metals can occur as coatings on airborne particles, and frequently are found in particles in
the respirable size range (4.5); in these instances, the toxicity of the trace metals is greater than if
those elements were distributed evenly throughout a particle, or were present in larger, nonrespirable
particles. For the purposes of assessing potential health impacts of trace metal
emissions, it is important to know whether these elements are distributed homogeneously
throughout an ash sample, or whether their distribution varies on an individual-particle basis.
798
METBODS
Samples were mounted in epoxy, cross-sectioned, polished, and coated with carbon to
improve conductivity. Analyses were conducted on a JEOL 35C scanning electron microscope
equipped with two JEOL wavelength-dispersive spectrometers with xenon-filled proportional
COUnters, and a Noran Instruments energy-dispersive spectrometer. The analytical capabilities of
the microscope are controlled by a Noran Instruments Voyager 2 computer system, which can
wordinate simultaneous EDS and WDS.
The microscope was operated at an accelerating voltage of 25 kV with a beam current of
8 nA. Wavelength-dispersive spectral peaks were counted for 100 s; the total energy-dispersive
live time per spectrum was 3 s. Certified standards were used for calibration. The data were
subjected to ZAF corrections following collection.
Individual coal mineral grains and ash particles as small as 5 p n in biameter were
analyzed. Under the more commonly used SEM-EDS analysis conditions, it is possible to analyze
volumes as tittle as 1 pm in diameter, but the more intensely energetic conditions required of
SEM-WDS make it impossible to analyze these smaller quantities without exciting the
surrounding area (6).
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Coal and ash samples were analyzed for trace metal content using SEM-WDS. EDS was
also used to determine the major element composition of each coal mineral grain or ash particle.
Ash Analyses. A sample of Absaloka ash was inspected for Hg content using SEM-WDS.
Iodated activated carbon sorbent had been added to this Montana subbituminous coal. Ash
particles analyzed ranged from 5 to 20 pm in diameter. As shown in Table I, Hg was detected in
six particles (21% ofthe total analyzed), in amounts ranging from 100 to 700 ppm (0.01 to 0.07
wt%). These Hg-bearing particles are mostly Ca- and AI-bearing silicates, with some S present.
Results for the 22 non-Hg-bearing particles analyzed in the same ash sample are shown in
Table 2. The major element composition of these particles is similar to that of the Hg-bearing
particles listed in Table 1, suggesting that the occurrence of Hg in these ash particles is not related
to any compositional parameter.
Another sample of Absaloka ash, produced from coal to which a non-iodated activated
carbon sorbent had been added, did not have any detectable Hg in individual particles. The ash
particles in this sample were predominantly Ca- and AI-bearing silicates, as in the sample
produced using iodated carbon sorbent, but with little S present.
Coal Analyses. In a sample of Illinois #6 bituminous coal, individual mineral grains were selected
for trace metal analysis. Table 3 shows results for pyrite grains in Illinois #6 coal. Hg, As, Ni,
and Se are present in individual grains at levels up to 2680 ppm, 410 ppm, 320 ppm, and 880
ppm. respectively. These trace metals were present in fewer than half of the pyrite grains
analyzed. Clay mineral grains from the Illinois #6 coal sample were examined for Cr content; this
element was detected at up to 950 ppm in half of the grains analyzed. These results show the
heterogeneous distribution of these trace metals in coal mineral grains.
Similar results are evident for Pittsburgh #8 bituminous coal. Table 4 shows the
distribution oftrace metals in pyrite grains. As and Hg values for individual grains range up to
close to 3000 ppm; Cd was detected in amounts less than 100 ppm only, Ni ranges up to
approximately 1300 ppm; and Se values are as high as almost 2000 ppm, In clay mineral grains
from Pittsburgh #8 coal, Cr ranges up to 377 ppm in 27 individual grains, including six grains with
Cr not detected. The average value for Cr in the Pittsburgh #8 clay mineral grains is 75 ppm.
CONCLUSIONS
This study has shown the varied distribution of trace metals in coal and ash samples, The
relative abundance of Hg and other trace metals in pyrite grains suggests the effectiveness of coalcleaning
processes in helping to reduce toxic emissions from power plants. Further investigation
of the distribution of trace elements in ash particles of different compositions may lead to the
development of emissions control devices tailored for removal of specific metals.
799
REFERENCES
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Zygarlicke, C.J.; Steadman, E.N. “Advanced SEM Techniques to Characterize Coal
Minerals,” Scanning Microscopy 1990, 4(3), 579-590.
Casuccio, G.S.; Gruelich, F.A.; Hamburg, G.; Huggins, F.E.; Nissen, D.A.; Vleeskens,
J.M.“C oal Mineral Analysis: A Check on Inter-Laboratory Agreement,’’ Scanning
Microscopy 1990, 4(2), 227-236.
Straszheim, W.E.; Yousling, J.G.; Younkin, K.A.; Markuszewski, R. “Mineralogical
Characterization of Lower Rank Coals by SEM-Based Automated Image Analysis and
Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Spectrometry,” Fuel, 1988.67, 1042-1047.
Natusch, D.F.S.; Wallace., J.R. “Urban Aerosol Toxicity: The Influence of Particle Size,”
Science, 1974, 186, 696-699.
Natusch, D.F.S.; Wallace, J.R. “Toxic Trace Elements: Preferential Concentration in
Respirable Particles,” Science, 1974, 183. 202-204.
Galbreath, K.C.; Brekke, D.W. “Feasibility of Combined WavelengthlEnergy-Dispersive
Computer-Controlled Scanning Electron Microscopy for Determining Trace Metal
Distribution,’’ Fuel Processing Technology, 1994, 39, 63-72.
Table 1. Composition of Hg-Bearing Particles in Absaloka Ash
(With Iodated Activated Carbon Sorbent Added)
Particle
number
Hg Na Mg AI Si S K Ca Ti Fe
1 0.04 0.0 11.0 25.4 10.1 1.8 0.0 49.0 1.7 1.1
2 0.02 0.0 0.0 10.7 12.0 0.0 0.5 1.0 0.0 76.2
3 0.01 0.0 7.4 14.7 25.6 0.0 0.0 52.4 0.0 0.0 I
4 0.03 0.0 4.2 26.7 28.1 4.3 0.0 36.7 0.0 0.0
5 0.03 0.0 10.5 17.0 12.5 6.5 0.0 52.0 0.8 0.7
6 0.07 0.0 6.1 11.9 37.8 0.0 0.0 44.1 0.0 0.0
Normalized composition (wt%, C- and 0-free basis)
Avg. 0.03 0.0 6.5 17.7 21.0 2.1 0.1 39.2 0.4 13.0
800
Table 2. Composition ofNon-Hg-Bearing Particles in Absaloka Ash
(With Iodated Activated Carbon Sorbent Added)
Particle
number
Normalized composition (wt%, C- and 0-fiee basis)
Na Mg Al Si S K Ca Ti Fe
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
0.0
0.0
0.0
2.2
0.0
0.0
1.7
4.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0'
0.0
4.4
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
10.5
3.4
6.8
5.7
1.6
2.9
4.3
1.2
6.2
4.2
0.0
0.0
0.0
7.5
6.2
6.9
10.1
2.9
9.7
11.7
10.6 26.7 0.0
20.4 41.9 0.0
9.4 19.3 0.0
19.0 42.6 0.4
12.4 27.7 1.8
20.7 21.8 2.6
27.6 42.2 0.0
18.7 40.7 0.0
13.5 15.0 0.0
22.3 31.6 8.2
20.6 12.1 10.6
18.9 37.9 0.0
33.9 57.2 0.0
31.9 59.8 0.0
0.0 100.0 0.0
27.8 18.3 0.0
14.9 29.5 2.3
14.8 17.3 4.5
18.2 17.2 6.4
21.7 43.1 2.2
11.1 10.3 7.6
14.7 10.1 0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.7
0.0
0.0
1.8
0.8
0.0
2.6
0.0
0.0
1.6
1.4
0.0
0.0
1.2
0.0
0.0
1.3
0.0
0.0
62.7 0.0
37.8 0.0
58.5 1.1
29.5 1.3
49.6 1.8
46.0 0.7
23.1 1.0
21.4 0.0
64.9 1.6
29.4 0.0
50.4 0.0
35.5 1.7
5.9 1.5
4.7 1.0
0.0 0.0
43.3 1.6
41.5 2.6
54.4 0.0
48.1 0.0
22.0 2.4
61.4 0.0
63.6 0.0
0.0
0.0
1.2
0.9
0.0
2.5
1.0
11.4
0.8
4.7
0.0
1.9
0.0
1.2
0.0
1.5
1.8
2.1
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
Avg. 0.6 4.6 18.3 32.8 2.1 0.5 38.8 0.8 1 4 ~
Table 3. Trace Element Content of Pyrite Grains in Illinois #6 Coal
Values in ppm
Mean Range
Element
As 310 210-410
Cd ND __-
Hg 2680* 2680'
Ni 210 140-320
Se 760 530-880
ND = not detected
~g values are for a single pyrite grain
801
Table 4. Trace Element Content of Pyrite Grains in Pittsburgh #8 Coal
Particle Values in ppm
number As Cd Hg Ni Se
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
273
ND
ND
2030
123
532
2900
ND
575
146
ND
ND
ND
17
ND
ND
13
ND
ND
ND
2660
103
ND
1240
1870
974
ND
ND
1040
ND
459
797
1330
149
285
ND
ND
90
ND
ND
ND
ND
1810
730
13
1220
1280 ,
1950
1120
1650
ND = not detected
802
MORATORY LEACHING BEHAVIOR OF ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE
TRACE ELEMENTS FROM FLY ASH AND BOTTOM ASH SAMPLES
C.A. Palmer', R.B. Finkelman', M.R. Krasnow'. C.F. Eble*'.
'US. Geological Survey, National Center, M.S. 956, Reston VA 22092;
.* Kentucky Geological Survey, 228 Mining and Minerals Bldg.. Lexington, KY 40506
Keywords: Fly ash, Bottom ash, Trace elements
INTRODUCTION
The distribution of trace elements in coal combustion residues such as fly ash and bottom ash
have received considerable attention.',' Several studies of fly ash have concentrated on
relationships of trace elements to fly ash particle ~ i z e ~ *S. ~tu.d ies related to etching6,
mineralogical transformation during combustion' and leaching have also been reported.
Dudas' Conducted long-term leachability studies. Grisafe et al.' examined leachability of fly
ash as a source of Se contamination. Fernandez-Turiel et a1.l' have looked at the mobility of
heavy metals from coal fly ash. The objectives of these studies were primarily to understand
Potential problems associated with the storage or disposal. To meet these objectives, the
Solvents used in these studies were chosen to emulate conditions in nature.
The leaching study presented in this paper differs from previous leaching studies because the
primary objective was to obtain information on modes of occurrence of trace elements in the fly
ash and bottom ash and provide data which could be compared to previous studies on the
leaching behavior on whole coal samples" . Although preliminary data for 29 elements in the
fly ash and bottom ash are available at this time, only results for environmentally sensitive trace
elements and other related elements will be discussed in this paper. These elements include
those identified in 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments: Co, Cr. Ni. Sb. and radionuclides (Th and
U). Fe was also studied because of its importance to coal cleaning and S removal, and Zn
because of its relationship to Cd.
EXPERIMENTAL
The samples were collected from an electric utility power plant having boilers burning high
sulfur (3.3 weight percent total sulfur) and low sulfur (0.9 weight percent total sulfur) coal.
Approximately 10 grams from each of two fly ash samples and two corresponding bottom ash
samples were subjected to sequential leaching. In this procedure each sample was
automatically shaken for 18 hours, centrifuged, and the leachate filtered. The samples were
first leached with 1N ammonium acetate (NH,CzH,02) . A representative 0.5 gram split of each
of the leached samples was reserved for analysis by instrumental neutron activation analysis.
This procedure was repeated using 2N hydrochloric acid (HCI), concentrated (48 to 51 %)
hydrofluoric acid (HF) and 1.5 N nitric acid (HNO,) and a representative 0.5 gram split was
obtained for INAA from the material leached by each solvent .
All resulting splits and representative samples of the original material were irradiated for 8 hours
at a neutron flux of about 2 x lo'* neutronslcm'sec' using instrumental neutron activation
analysis (INAA) procedures similar to those of Palmer." The data was calculated using the
SPECTRA program.', The mass of each of the splits used to calculate percent material
leached and the concentrations for each of the splits determined by INAA were used to
calculate the percent of each element leached by each solvent.
The proportion of an element leached by a specific solvent is an indicator of the elements'
mode of occurrence. In Contrast to coal, which is primarily an organic matrix not leachable to a
significant extent by most inorganic solvents, the bottom ash and fly ash are mainly silicates
which are leachable to a large degree by inorganic solvents, particularly by HF. In addition,
because of the high temperature of combustion (-1500 "C) phases present in the coal such as
clays, carbonates, and sulfides have also been transformed to silicates and oxides. Table 1
shows the percent of the material leached by each of the solvents used in this study. The total
amount of material leached ranged from 78 to 99 percent, with 97 percent or more leached
from the fly ashes. Seventy to seventy-nine percent of all samples was leached by HF. Clearly
a large percentage of the fly ash and bottom ash are in the silicate phases. Generally less than
5 percent of the fly ash and bottom ash is ammonium acetate soluble (probably water soluble
as well). Less than 5 percent Of the bottom ash and fly ash is HCI soluble. About 5 to 15
percent of the material was leached by nitric acid. Because sulfides are not likely to be present
in the fly ash or the bottom ash (as discussed above) it is not clear which mineral forms were
leached by nitric acid. It is possible that species soluble in the nitric acid, unleached by HF,
and encased in the Silicates during combustion could have been leached only after the
destruction of the silicates. It should be noted that the fly ash is generally more soluble in the
solvents used in this study than is the bottom ash. This trend may be explained in part by the
presence of a larger proportion of unburned carbon in the bottom ash than the fly ash.
Preliminaty results from CHN analyses and ash determinations showed that up to 18 percent
unburned carbon was found in the bottom ash in BA3.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
803
The percentage of some environmentally important elements leached differed from that of the
bulk material indicating that their modes of occurrence were clearly different from those of the
bulk material. More than 80 percent of the As in the fly ash samples and about 45 percent of
the As in one bottom ash sample were leached with HCI. Davidson et ai., suggest that As, as
well as some other elements, may be volatilized during combustion and recondensed on the
surface of the particles as they cool in the stack. Turner" and EPRI" suggest that As may
exist as a metal arsenate, such as Ca,(AsO,), or Ba,(AsO,),. These suggestions explain why
As was leached to a large degree by HCI. The behavior of As in BA3 is different from the other
bottom ash sample and from the fly ash samples. Condensation of volatile species such as As
is unlikely to occur in bottom ash samples.
Significant quantities of Sb (Figure 2) are leached by HCI in the two fly ash samples; although
the amounts are not as large as those for As. Results from a comparison of magnetic and nonmagnetic
fractions16 show similarities in behavior between Sb and As. The results of this study
however, suggest that Sb and As behave differently.
A few elements, such as U and Th, are leached only to a small degree (as little as 20 percent
leached by all solvents). This behavior may be due to their association with minerals such as
zircon which are inert and are not significantly altered by either combustion or leaching. Once
again these elements are significantly more soluble in fly ash (especially FA1) than in the
bottom ash, and U is more soluble than Th. The data for U in fly ash suggests that it may exist
in several modes of occurrence because there is roughly equal leaching by HCI and HF in both
fly ash samples and equal leaching by HNO, in FA1. Figure 3 shows the percentage of these
elements leached by each solvent.
Most of the other elements studied show leaching behavior similar to the bulk material. Figure
4 shows the percentage leached for Fe, Ni, Co, and Cr in the bottom ash and the fly ash. In all
cases, the majority of these elements are leached by HF. which indicates that they are
concentrated in the glassy or crystalline silicates. Most of these elements showed a small
amount (e20 percent) of material leached by HCI. Any oxides present are probably locked in
the matrix and not exposed until HF destroys the silicates.
Figure 5 shows the percent Zn leached (likely an indicator of Cd behavior). The leaching
behavior of Zn is similar to the leaching behavior of the bulk material (Table 1). However,
there is a significant fraction of Zn leached by HCI in sample FA3. In addition, about 20
percent Zn was leached by ammonium acetate in sample BA3.
In summary. most. but not all. elements studied behave similarly to the bulk material and are
probably associated with the glassy or silicate portions of the fly ash and bottom ash. Because
As, U, Th and possibly Sb (in the fly ash) display behavior significantly different than that for
the bulk sample , it can be inferred that they are associated with different minerals or chemical
forms than the major elements. Other minor differences in the leaching behavior may indicate
that small amounts of that element are associated with minor phases in the ash. Some of these
minor phases may be material which has not been completely combusted.
REFERENCES
(1) Keefer, R.F.; Sajwan, K.S.. Trace elements in coal and coalcombustion Residues; Lewis
Pub..:Boca Raton, 1993 308 pages.
(2) Eary. L.E.; Rai. D.; Mattig0d;S.V.; Ainsworh, C.C., J. of Environ Qual., 1990,19(2) 202-214.
(3) Davidson, R.L.; Natusch. D.F.S.;Wallace. J.R.; Evans, C.A., Jr., fnviron. Sci. andTech.,
1974-. 8 (.11), 11 07-1113.
(4) Hansen, L.D.; Silberman, D.; Fisher, G.L.; Eatough, D.J. fnviron. Sci Technobl984 18 (3)
181-186
(5) Furuya, K.; Yoshihiro M.; Chiba, T.; Kikuchi. T.. €nviorn. Sci. Techno/. 1987 21 898-903
(6) Heulett. L.D.; Weinberger, A.J. Environ. Sci Technol.1980 14 (8) 965-969
(7) Chinchon, J.S.; Querol. X.; Fernandez-Turiel, J.L.; Lopez-Soler, A.. fnviron. Geol. Sci,
(8) Dudas, M.J., Environ. Sci. and Tech., 1981,15 (7) 840-843.
(9) Grisafe, D.A.; Angino, E.E.. Smith, S.M., Appl. Geochem, 1988, 3601-608
(10) Fernandez-Turiel, J.L.; de Carvahalho. W.; Cabanas, M.; Querol, X.; Lopez-Soler, A,,
hviron. Geol., 1994 23 264-270
(I 1) Palmer, C.A. Krasnow, M.R.. Finkelman. R.B. and D'Angelo, W.M. J. Coal Qual. 1993,
(12) Palmer, C.A., Energy and Fuels, 1990,4 (5), 436439
(13)Badeckec P.A.; Grossman, J.N.. The SPECTRA program library: A PC based system for
gamma-ray spectra analysis and INAA data reduction, U.S. Geological Survey Open File Rep.
94-168, 1994 47 pages.
(14) Turner, R.R.. Environ. Sci. and Tech.. 1981, I 5 (9) 1062-1066
(1 5) Electric Power Research Institute, EPRl TR-104614-V2 Project 3081, 1994 p.Gl-G4.
(16) Palmer, C.A.; Finkelman. R.B.; Krasnow. M.R., unpublished data.
1991,18 (1) 11-15
lZ(4) 135-141.
804
Table 1. Weight percentage of material leached by solvents used in this study.
Solvent 1
NH~C~H,O, 1 1 5 3
HCI 2 1 5 3
HF 70 71 7a 79
Total 86 78 99 97
BAl BA3 FA1 FA3
HNO, 14 5 10 13
As
100
5 80
2 60
5 40
U
a,
tu
v)
c
0 $ 20
a n-
BAl BA3 FA1
Sample Leached
NH4C2H302 HCI
IHF 0H N03
FA3
Figure 1. Percent As leached in bottom ash samples (BAI and BA3) and fly ash samples (FA1
and FA3) by solvents used in this study.
Sb
100
80
60 - 40
a
U
13 cn
c
0
a2, 20
0
BAl BA3 FA1 FA3
Samples Leached
NH4C2H302 0 HCI
HF 0 HN03
Figure 2. Percent Sb leached in bottom ash samples (BAI and BA3) and fly ash samples (FA1
and FA3) by solvents used in this study.
805
U
120 I
I I I I I
EA3 FA1 FA3
Samples Leached
Th
BAI BA3 FA1 FA3
Samples Leached
N H ~ C Z H0~ OH ~CI
IHF 0H N03
Figure 3. Percent U and Th leached in the bottom ash samples (BAI an
the fly ash samples (FA1 and FA3) in this study.
Fe co
Ni
BA3) and
- BAl 8A3 FA? FA3
Sern~lsL eached
Figure 4 Percent Fe, Co, Ni and Cr leached in the two bottom ash samples and the
two fly ash samples by the samples in this study.
806
Zn
120 I 73 1
" BAI BA3 FA1 FA3
Samples Leached
NH4CZH302 0 HCI
HF 0 HNO3
I
Figure 5. Percent Zn leached in the bottom ash (BAl and BA3) and fly ash (FA1
and FA3) by solvents used in this study.
/
807
DETERMINATION OF CHROMIUM OXIDATION STATES IN
COAL COMBUSTION PRODUCTS BY XAFS SPECTROSCOPY
Mohammad Najih, Frank E. Huggins, and G. P. HufFman
Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering
341 Bowman Hall
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY 40506
Keywords: XAFS spectroscopy, chromium speciation, hazardous air pollutants.
ABSTRACT
Chromium XAFS spectroscopy has been used to determine the relative amounts of Cr(V1) and
Cr(Il1) in ash samples obtained from coal combustion. The method, which is based on the
relative heights of the pre-edge peaks for the different Cr oxidation states in XANES spectra, can
be used to speciate as little as 50 ppm of chromium in ash. The results indicate that the fraction
of Cr(VI) oxidation state present in combustion ash from commercial combustion plants is
typically at or close to the detection limit (approx. 3% of the total chromium). Such findings
provide justification for a reappraisal of whether or not chromium should be considered a
significant HAP in coal combustion.
INTRODUCTION
Chromium is listed as one of eleven inorganic hazardous air pollutants (HAPS), the so-called "airtoxics",
in Title I11 of the 1990 Amendments to the Clean Air Act (I), largely because of the
well-known toxicological and carcinogenic properties of the hexavalent oxidation state of
chromium (2). This oxidation state is virtually always found in nature and the environment in
the form of chromate (CrOa-) or dichromate (Cr20$-) oxoanions. The other common oxidation
state of chromium, Cr(IlI), is generally of much less concern to human health, and may in fact
be essential in small quantities to mammals. Hence, in assessing potential health hazards posed
by chromium in industrial emissions and wastes, it is clearly important that the chromium
oxidation state be identified and determined quantitatively.
The different oxidation states of chromium in solids or any other state of matter can be readily
distinguished in chromium X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectra by the intensity of the
pre-edge peak (3,4,5). The pre-edge feature is generally very weak (typically less than 0.05 times
the edge step) for trivalent chromium in an octahedral crystal-field of oxygen anions, whereas
for hexavalent chromium oxoanions, the pre-edge peak is usually almost as intense as the edgestep.
In this paper, a method for determining the oxidation states of chromium directly in solids
is developed based on this difference in pre-edge peak intensity in chromium K-edge XAFS
spectra and then the method is applied to the determination of chromium oxidation states in flyash
and other products of coal combustion. Owing to the huge tonnages of coal used for
electricity generation worldwide, coal combustion is viewed as a major potential source of release
of many inorganic HAPS, including chromium, to the environment (6).
EXPEFUMENTAL
Chromium K-edge XAFS spectroscopy:
XAFS spectroscopy is a synchrotron-based technique that provides information about the local
structure and bonding around the absorbing element in a material from analysis of the fine
structure associated with one of the clement's characteristic X-ray absorption edges (7). For this
study, experimental measurements were made at the chromium K-edge at both the National
Synchrotron Light Source at Brookhaven National Laboratory, New York, and at the Stanford
Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory, Stanford University, CA. Similar experimental practices were
used at both synchrotrons. To record the chromium K-edge XAFS spectra, the monochromator
was stepped from about 100 eV below the edge to as much as 1,000 ev above the edge and the
intensity of the monochromatic x-ray beam before and after absorption by the sample was
measured as a function of energy. All spectra were calibrated with respect to the first inflection
point in the absorption spectrum of a thin chromium metal foil. This calibration point, which
occurs at 5,989 eV, defines the zero-point of energy in the XAFS spectra shown in Figure I and
other figures in this paper. The absorption spectra were measured in three different ways
depending on the concentration of chromium in the material under investigation. For
concentrated samples (Cr > lOwt%), measurements were made in absorption geometry, in which
the intensity of the X-ray beam after attenuation by the absorption process in the sample was
compared to the incident X-ray intensity These measurements were made with ion chambers.
For more dilute samples with chromium contents less than 5 wt% but more than about 0.1 wt%
(1000 ppm), the intensity of the fluoresccnt X-rays emitted by the sample in response to the
absorption process was measured with a Lytlc detector (8). Finally, for chromium in ash
samples, in which the concentration of chromium is very dilute (typically between 50 and 500
808
PPm), measurements were made using a 13-element germanium detector that collected X-rays
only in a electronically gated energy interval set for fluorescent chromium X-rays (9). For the
fluorescent measurements, a vanadium filter was normally used in association with seller slits
to enhance the signalhoise ratio. Spectral scans of about 30 mins were sufficient for most
samples, except those for which the chromium content was much less than 500 ppm. Depending
on the actual chromium concentration of such dilute samples, up to IO separate scans were
accumulated and summed to give a single spectrum.
The spectra have been analyzed in a conventional manner that is well described in the literature
(7). Basically, the spectra are split into two distinct regions: a near-edge region that includes the
fine Structure associated with the edge itself, and an extended fine-structure region that consists
ofthe weak oscillatory structure that may persist to as much as 1,000 eV above the edge. These
two regions give rise to the X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectra and the
extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectra, respectively. The XANES spectrum
is generally used as a "fingerprint" to idcntify the form or forms of the element in the material
under investigation, whereas the EXAFS region can be mathematically manipulated to yield a
"radial structure function" (RSF) from which the local structure around the absorbing element
may be inferred. In this work, only the XANES spectra will be discussed fwther as the EXAFS
region of the spectrum is not used to determine the chromium oxidation states.
Deleminative Melhod:
A calibration method for the XANES pre-edge peak was developed by measuring the XANES
spectra of carefully prepared mixtures of potassium chromate (KzCrOd) and potassium
ehromium(II1) alum sulfate (KCr(S0,),.12H20). Except for different standards in the mixtures,
the current method is similar that described by Bajt et al. (4). The mixtures were prepared so
that Cr(VI) constituted 0%. 5%. 10%. 15%. 20%. 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% of the total
chromium in the samples. In addition, the total chromium contents of all mixtures were reduced
to 4.0 wt% by dilution of the mixtures in boric acid (HBO,).
Edge-step normalized XANES spectra of chromium in the boric acid pellets are shown in Figure
1 for all nine calibration mixtures. The spectra are offset vertically to highlight the systematic
changes that occur with increasing Cr(V1) content. The pre-edge feature between 0 and IO eV
is the spectral feature that shows the most change and it is also the easiest to quantify. As shown
by most Cr(1ll) standards, thc pre-edge feature of the end-member K-Cr alum sulfate consists of
two peaks: a weak peak at about 1.5 - 2.0 eV and a second, even weaker peak at about 4.0 eV.
The chromate pre-edge peak consists of a single intense peak at about 4.0 eV. To quantify these
changes, a least-squares iterative fitting program was used that fits the peaks to a mixed
lorentzian-gaussian line shape and the background to an arctangent function. This program
returns information on the intensity, width, and position of the peaks once the least-squares fitting
has converged. These data are summarized in Table 1 for the pre-edge regions shown in Figure
1 and calibration curves were then prepared from the data for the peak at 4.0 eV. The variation
of the normalized height of the pre-edge feature with Cr(V1) content was linear with a correlation
coefficient (8) in excess of 99% (Figure 2).
TABLE 1
Results from Least-Squares Fitting of Calibration Data
Peak at 2.0 eV Peak at 4.0 eV
Cr(VI)/Total Cr Height Width Area Height Width Area
0
5
IO
15
20
25
50
75
100
0.035
0.033
0.032
0.037
0.034
0.036
0.024
_--
--
1.855
1.974
2.306
2.527
2.000
2.167
2.000 _-
_--
0.064
0.065
0.073
0.093
0.068
0.078
0.048
--
-_
0.013
0.042
0.086
0.116
0.170
0.199
0.404
0.620
0.823
1.855
1.983
2.058
1.968
2.070
2.087
2.200
2.200
2.280
0.024
0.083
0.176
0.228
0.35 1
0.415
0.880
1.364
1.876
It should be understood that although the derived calibration curve has an extremely small
standard error associated with it (4%Cr ), there are other significant sources of uncertainty that
need to be addressed. These include possible variation of the pre-edge intensity with site
distortion (IO), thick absorber effects (7), dead-time corrections in the 13-Ge element detector
809
(9). and appropriateness of K2Cr04 as the standard for Cr(Vl) in ash. Such factors were not
explicitly considered in the method described by Bajt et al. (4).
To circumvent all of these sources of uncertainty, it was decided to use the Cr(ll1) pre-edge peak
at lower energy (1.5 ev) to calibrate any possible peak intensity enhancement due to these
effects. This pre-edge peak is approximately three times the intensity of the pre-edge peak at
a b u t 3.5 - 4.5 eV for most Cr" materials. This relationship can then be used to define a zero
Cr(W) baseline that allows for possible experimental saturation effects and site distortion
phenomena and, hence, for more precise estimation of the Cr(V1) content.
By using this approach for defining the intercept from the normalized height, h,, of the peak at
about 1.5 - 2.5 eV, a generalized equation can be derived for the relationship between the
normalizcd height, h4, of thc peak at about 3.5 - 4.5 eV and the concentration of Cr(V1) in a
sample, as follows:
%Cr(VI) = 110 (ha - hJ3) (1)
The slope is derived not only from the linearity of the calibration data presented in Table 1, but
is an average value that also takes into account the variation in pre-edge peak height exhibited
by different chromate compounds. Consequently, any value of Cr(V1) determined from this
equation has an uncertainty of up to *IO%, because the probable forms of Cr(V1) in combustion
ash samples are likely not well represented by any one chromate compound.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:
We have applied the above equation to measurements made on the Cr XANES spectra to estimate
approximate values for Cr(V1) in various ash samples derived from coal combustion. Figure 3
shows the chromium XANES spectra for three commercial and one laboratory ash samples.
Parameters (normalized height, width, area, position) for the pre-edge peaks were quantified by
least-squares fitting using the program EDGFIT. Examples of the least-squares fitting are shown
in Figure 4. The percentage of Cr(VI) present in the sample was estimated from the preedge
peak heights using the above relationship (equation 1). The results of such fitting are
summarized in Table 2 for all ash and slag samples examined.
Based on the spectra shown in Figures 3 and 4 and the results listed in Table 2 derived from
least-squares fitting of the pre-edge peak, none of the fly-ash or bottom ash samples from either
commercial coal combustion plants or laboratory experiments appears to contain significant
C O I ) present in the samples, with the possible exception of the Pittsburgh drop-tube sample.
All the results showcd that the determined Cr(V1) content was typically around I - 5% of the
total chromium. However, there is an estimated experimental uncertainty of *3 - 5% in such
determinations from uncertainty in the determined heights of the peaks in the fitting procedure.
Hence, 0% Cr(V1) is almost as significant a result as the determined value in many instances.
TABLE 2
Results from Least-Squares Fitting of Cr XANES of Combustion Ashes
Peak at 2.0 eV Peak at 4.0 eV Estimated
Content of
Ash Sample Height Posh Height Pos'n %Cr(VI)
Commercial:
Cooper FA 0.044 1.5 0.030 3.8 2
NIST SRM 1633b 0.044 1.4 0.038 3.8 3
LET FA-I 0.050 2.4 0.034 4.1 2
LET BA-I 0.054 1.5 0.055 3.9 4
LET BA-2 0.040 1.6 0.035 3.3 3
LGE FA 0.042 1.9 0.054 3.9 5
LGE BA 0.053 2.1 0.033 4.1 1
5 1 -14-Come 0.063 2.3 0.061 4.8 3
5 I-14-Med 0.045 2.0 0.041 4.4 3
5 I - 14-Fine 0.040 1.8 0.046 4.2 4
47-07-Come 0.039 1.9 0.020 4.4 1
Pittsburgh Ash 0.031 1.7 0.091 3.6 9
Illinois #6 Ash 0.036 1.9 0.047 3.7 4
Laboratow:
Univ. Arizona Cornbuster:
PSIT Drop Tube:
810
h e Pittsburgh drop-tube sample (DECS-12) exhibits a value for Cr(VI), 9 * 3%, that is
Significantly higher than those determined for other ash samples. It should be noted that the Cr
UNES spectrum (Fig. 3) for this sample was also one of the best quality so that this bigher
value can not be due to larger than normal experimental uncertainty. It is likely that this result
Can be attributed to the fact that the drop-tube experiments are normally carried out in excess air
in comparison to conditions in the larger-scale combustcrs. Hence, a slight enhancement in the
cr(VI)/Cr(llI) ratio may not be unusual given such circumstances. However, this observation
Would also appear to imply that conditions of coal combustion are not far removed from those
that could result in significant formation of Cr(V1): Unusual furnace conditions (eg. low
temperatures, high oxygen fugacity) or possibly unusual slag chemishy may yet be found that
result in the formation of significant Cr(V1) in combustion ash materials.
CONCLUSIONS
A direct and nondestructive method has been developed for speciating chromium in solid samples
based on the normalized peak-height of the pre-edge feature in chromium XANES spectra. The
method is capable of determining the relative percentages of the two major chromium oxidation
States, with an uncertainty of *IO%, down to as little as 5-10 ppm of chromium in relatively Xmy
transparent solids such as combustion ash or coal. The only preparation necessary is to
ensure that the sample has a particle size less than about 200 mesh (0.075 mm top size) and that
it is representative over an X-ray beam spot size of between 4 and IO mm’. No chemical
Separation is done on the sample nor is any method of prc-concentration used prior to analysis.
This spectroscopic method shows that the Cr(V1) content of all commercial ash samples so far
examined is at or below the detection limit for Cr(VI), estimated to be about 3 - 5% of the total
chromium, depending on concentration. These results are in agreement with data for fly-ash
samples determined by ICP-AES. in which the Cr(V1) is complexed and extracted by ammonium
hydroxide (1 I). Such findings imply that the behavior of chromium in coal combustion should
be re-examined carefully to assess whether or not this element is a significant HAP. However,
as the current results indicate for ash samples from small-scale laboratory combustion
experhents, typical combustion conditions appear. to be quite close to those that could promote
formation of significant Cr(V1).
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
This rcsearch was supported in part by the Electric Power Research Institute, Palo Alto, CA, and
in part by the U.S. Department of Energy and State of Kentucky, through the DOE/KY/EPSCoR
program. One of us (M.N.) would like to thank BAPPENAS for providing financial support.
We also acknowledge Drs. 1. Zhao and N. Shah (Univ. Kentucky) for assistance with the XAFS
measurements, Dr. John Wong (Univ. Louisville) for providing a sample of the NlST fly-ash
SRh4 1633b, and the US. Department of Energy for its support of synchrotron facilities in the
U.S., without which this work would not have been possible.
REFERENCES:
United States Public Law 101-549, Nov. IS, 1990; Superintendent of Documents, U.S.
Government Printing Office: Washington, DC, 1990, 314 pp.
Tietz, N., (Ed.) Clinics[ Guide ID Laboraiory Tests, 2nd. ed.; Saunders: Philadelphia, PA,
1990; Baruthio, F. Eiol. Trace Elem. Res., 1992, 32, 145-153.
Huggins, F. E.; Shah, N.; Zhao. J.; et al. Energy & Fuels, 1993, 7, 482-489.
Bajt, S.; Clark, S. B.; Sutton, S. R.: et al. Anal. Chem., 1993, 6s. 1800-1804.
Lytle, F. W.; Greegor, R. B.; Bibbins, G. L.; et al. Corr. Science 1995, 37, 349-369.
Clark, L. B.; Sloss L. L. Trace Elements; IEA Coal Research Report, lEACW49, London,
1992.
Lee, P. A.; Citrin, P. H.; et al. Rev. Mod, Phvs. 1981,53,769-806; Konigsberger, D. C.;
Prim, R. X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy; J. Wiley & Sons: New Yo& W, 1988.
Lytle, F. W.; Greegor, R. B.; et al. Nucl. Instrum. Meth. 1984, A226, 542-548.
Cramer, S. P.; Tench, 0.;et al. Nuel. Instrum Meth. 1988, A266, 584-591.
Wong, J.; Lytle, F. W.; Messmer, R. P.; Maylotte, D. H. Ph.vs. Rev. E. 1984, 30, 5596-
5610; Waychunas, G. A. Amer. Mineral., 1987, 72, 89-101.
Hwang, J. D.; Wang, W-J. Appl. Spectrosc., 1994, 48, 11 11-1 117.
811
Energy, eV
Figure 1 : Chromium XANES spectra for
mixtures of K-Cr(1ll) alum sulfate and
K2Cr(V1)04.
3 ,
0
-20 0 20 40 60
Energy (eV)
Cr(Vl)/[Cr(Vl)+Cr(lll)J
Figure 2: Calibration curve based on
normalized peak height of least-squares
fitted pre-edge peaks in Figure 1
Illinois #6 PSI Drop-Tube
c 0.2
L1
2
.- e
4
N
0.1
.-- 2 zB
0
:4 -2 0 2 4 6 8
Energy, eV
Figure 3: Chromium K-edge XANES spectra Figure 4: Examples of least-squares fitting
for three commercial ash products and a of the pre-edge peak present in Cr XANES
laboratory drop-tube ash. spectra of ash samples.
812
SELENIUM SAMPLING AN0 ANALYSIS IN COAL COMBUSTION SYSTEMS
Matthew S. DeVito and Rachel J. Carlson
CONSOL Inc., Research & Development
4000 Brownsville Road
Library, PA 15129
Keywords: Selenium, Coal Trace Analysis
BACKGROUND
The Clean A i r Act Amendments of 1990 (CAAA) i d e n t i f i e d 189 elements and compounds
that are classified by the U.S. EPA as hazardous a i r pollutants (HAPS): Among
these are eleven inorganic trace elements found in coal. A provision o f the CAAA
required EPA t o conduct a study of the health and environmental impacts o f HAP
emissions from e l e c t r i c u t i l i t y generating units. EPA has completed a number of
draft documents i n compliance with t h i s mandate. For trace element emission
estimates, they have r e l i e d on a number o f f i e l d tests which were conducted by
a variety of organizations including the U.S. Department o f Energy (DOE). The
DOE program u t i l i z e d the EPA Method 29 sampling t r a i n t o measure the emissions
Of trace elements including Se. EPA Method 29 i s validated f o r municipal waste
combustor sampling but not f o r coal - f i r e d combustion sources.
The DOE program involved measurements at eight coal-fired u t i l i t i e s selected t o
represent a cross-section o f the coal-fired u t i l i t y industry i n regard to fuels
and furnace configurations. A l l o f
the test teams reported low material balance closures f o r Se.' CONSOL R&D
participated at two o f these test sites: Minnesota Power Clay Boswell and
I l l i n o i s Power Baldwin stations. The Se balfnce closures f o r the Boswell plant
ranged from 12% t o 21% and averaged 18.5%. The Se balance closures f o r the
Baldwin plant ranged from 30% to 60% and averaged 50%. Selenium i s the only
element that showed a material balance closure problem f o r both t e s t sites,
indicating e i t h e r a sampling or analytical e r r o r . A t the t h i r d DOE A i r Toxics
Working Group Meeting, the poor Se balances obtained from the e i g h t s t a t i o n t e s t s
were discussed, but there were no clear answers as t o the cause. The fact that
a l l of these programs showed low Se balance closures i s evidence o f a sampling
or analytical problem.
After reviewing these results, CONSOL R&D conducted a sampling and analytical
program t o determine the reasons f o r the poor Se material balances. This program
focused on two areas: 1) the accuracy o f sampling and analytical procedures f o r
measuring Se i n solids, and 2) the potential f o r Se losses w i t h i n the combustion
or sampling system.
Selenium Properties
Among the eleven trace elements l i s t e d as HAPS, Se has unique v o l a t i l i t y
characteristics that could r e s u l t i n sampling problems. A l l o f these eleven
elements except mercury (Hg) and Se are predominantly (>99%) i n the s o l i d phase
at coal-fired f l u e gas For these non-volatile elements, f l u e
gas sampling i s not required t o complete a material balance. Because o f i t s
vapor pressure, almost a l l o f the Hg released during combustion should be present
as a vapor.
The equilibrium vapor pressure curve (Figure 1) f o r Se (as SeO,) indicates that
t h i s element can be przsent in both the gas and solid phases at normal u t i l i t y
flue gas temperatures. The curve shows that there can be a large change i n the
p a r t i t i o n i n g o f SeO, between the gas and s o l i d phases i n the temperature range
of 200 'F t o 300 'F. This temperature range i s important because it encompasses
the typical flue gas exhaust temperature for u t i l i t i e s (-280 'F t o 300 'F) and
the operating temperature of the EPA Method 29 probe and f i l t e r (258 'F f20 *F).
The Se content in the I l l i n o i s coal f i r e d at the Baldwin plant was 4 ppm (whole
coal basis). If a l l the Se i n the coal v o l a t i l i z e d during combustion, t h i s would
result in a gas phase Se concentration o f approximately 97 ppbv. As the f l u e gas
cools, some fraction of the gas phase Se would condense. Table 1 shows the
theoretical d i s t r i b u t i o n of Se between the vapor and condensed phases at various
temperatures.
Selenium i s the only Clean A i r Act trace element that undergoes t h i s phase
t r a n s i t i o n i n t h i s temperature window. The implication o f t h i s phenomenon on Se
sampling results i s discussed below.
Five sampling teams performed the testing.
Selenim i n U.S. Coals
There i s a l i m i t e d amount of information on the Se contents o f commercial (i.e.,
as-fired) coals. CONSOL has collected trace element data on over 250 coal
samples representing a wide cross-section of U.S. coal production. This database
shows a Se-in-coal concepration range of 0.5 t o 6.5 ppm (whole-coal basis) with
an average o f -1.5 ppm. The recent DOE program involved nine coals with Se
concentrations between 0.85 ppm and 3.25 ppm. I n a DOE-sponsored coal analysis
813
round robin study conducted by CONSOL R&D, Se determinations f o r a NIST reference
coal ranged from 0.75 ppm t o 1.52 ppm compared to a c e r t i f i e d value o f 1.29 ppm.
Accuracies ranged from 42% low to 15% i i g h . Only one o f the ten reported values
was within 10% o f the c e r t i f i e d value. The d i f f i c u l t y in obtaining an accurate
Se-in-coal determination a t concentrations typical f o r coal i s certainly a
contributing factor t o the uncertainty i n material balance closures.
Trace element emission factors f o r combustion sources are developed by using the
trace element concentration in the fuel and calculating a maximum uncontrolled
emission rate. This value then i s adjusted t o account f o r bottom ash-to-fly ash
p a r t i t i o n i n g , p a r t i c u l a t e - to-gas p a r t i t i o n i n g , and removal in control devices.
In many cases these p a r t i t i o n i n g factors are estimated from the best available
t e s t data. If possible, the estimated emission factor i s compared with emission
measurements. The phase d i s t r i b u t i o n o f Se makes estimation o f p a r t i t i o n i n g and
removal factors d i f f i c u l t and uncertain.
The d i f f i c u l t y i n closing Se balances around coal-fired power plants leads to
uncertainty i n the v a l i d i t y o f the measured emissions and estimated emission
factors based on these measurements. The accuracy o f emission estimates i s
important because they ultimately w i l l be used i n r i s k assessments.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
This research program was focused on two areas o f concern:
Analysis of selenium i n process stream samples,
Se losses i n the flue gas ducts and EPA Method 29 sampling t r a i n .
Analysis of Selenium i n Process Stream Samples
There are three factors t h a t contribute t o qood material balance closures:
obtaining a representative sample, accurately measuring the process stream flowrate,
and an accurate chemical analysis. Assuming that the f i r s t two conditions
are met, the chemical analysis becomes the most important step. However, the
determination o f selenium in process stream samples can be d i f f i c u l t .
Table 2 shows the r e s u l t s of Se analyses conducted on a NIST coal ash standard.
These data show that the digestion step outlined i n Method 29 procedures may not
be suitable f o r a l l s o l i d materials. The Method 29 digestion (SW 846) involves
the digestion o f -0.5 g of s o l i d s w i t h 6 mL o f concentrated HNO and 4 mL of
concentrated HF and e i t h e r conventional heating in a Parr Bomb a% 285 'F ( s i x
hours) or microwave heating. This digestion showed a low recovery f o r Se and f o r
a l l of the HAPS elements. The CEM microwave procedure involves a multi-stage
digestion using the same acids outlined i n the Method 29 technique, but with
larger volumes and longer digestion times. This technique showed a very good Se
recovery. The open-vessel technique showed low recoveries f o r Se, although
previous analyses o f t h i s ash standard have shown excellent recoveries f o r Se and
the non-volatile trace elements. The low Se recoveries specific t o t h i s
determination are thought t o be a r e s u l t o f uncontrolled fluctuations in the
temperature used i n the digestion. Because o f the low results f o r Se by open
vessel digestion, CONSOL R&D analyzed a variety of solids f o r Se by f i r s t
preparing the sample using hydropyrolysis. I n t h i s procedure, the solids are
pyrolyzed in a stream o f excess a i r and steam. The v o l a t i l e Se i s passed through
a condenser and then i n t o a NaOH scrubber solution f o r Se capture. This solution
i s analyzed by ICP-MS. The efficiency o f t h i s procedure has been v e r i f i e d by the
analysis of SARM, NIST, and NBS standards.
The open-vessel digestion technique has several advantages. It i s safer than the
microwave technique, more t i m e - e f f i c i e n t than the other procedures, and provides
excellent elemental recoveries for most o f the trace elements of interest (Hg
determinations are obtained using a separate sample preparation technique). This
work indicates that Se may be l o s t during the open vessel digestion step and
additional work i s being completed t o determine the c r i t i c a l digestion temperature
for t h i s procedure f o r a variety o f coal ash matrices.
Conclusions drawn from these data are that the Method 29 procedure does not
provide a s u f f i c i e n t l y rigorous digestion f o r coal ash samples. Typical coal fly
ash has a strong c l a y - s i l i c a t e matrix which requires either a more rigorous
digestion o r l a r g e r q u a n t i t i e s o f the acids. The same c r i t i c i s m applies t o the
analysis o f the Method 29 s o l i d fraction. These data indicate the f r o n t - h a l f
f i l t e r analysis can be biased low, which would lead t o inaccurate material
balance closures.
Selenium Losses i n the Flue Gas Ducts and Samplins Train
Because the Se analyses o f the coal, ash, and Method 29 f r o n t - h a l f samples could
be i n error, Se material balances from the sampling programs at the Baldwin' and
Boswel13 plants were recalculated based on analyses obtained using the hydropyrolysis
digestion techniques for the process stream (coal and ash) samples.
The Method 29 samples were not available f o r repeat analyses. The ash samples
showed somewhat higher Se concentrations, but the increase had only a small
814
effect on the Se balances. The selenium balances f o r the Baldwin testing are
shown i n Table 3.
These data indicate the Se material balance closures are low by -5M. The Se
input value i s based on the Se in the coal which averaged 3.73 ppm (whole-coal
basis) f o r these tests. This analysis was v e r i f i e d as part o f the DOE round
robin which involved a comparative analysis by f i v e labs. The Se values i n the
ESP ash samples were v e r i f i e d through replicate analyses and comparison with
standard reference materials. The temperature o f the f l u e gas entering the ESP
was -340 'F and -330 'F at the sampling location. The vapor pressure curve f o r
SeO, at these temperatures indicates that a l l o f the available Se should have
been present i n the vapor state. This i s supported by the low level o f Se i n the
ESP ash samples. The Method 29 procedure c a l l s f o r a f r o n t - h a l f (probe and
f i l t e r ) temperature o f 258 'F t20 'F. The vapor pressure curve a t 250 'F
predicts a gas phase Se concentration o f 8 ppbv. This value i s very close to the
observed values (4, 6, and 7 ppbv).
A possible explanation f o r the poor Se balance f o r t h i s u t i l i t y i s t h a t a t the
Method 29 f r o n t - h a l f sampling temperature (258 'F i20 'F), the equilibrium
between gas phase and s o l i d phase Se i s shifted t o the s o l i d phase. I n reviewing
the f i e l d sampling sheets, it was noted that the normal variations i n the heater
box gave temperatures as low as 240 'F. As shown i n Figure 1, the selenium vapor
pressure at 240 'F corresponds t o a gas phase Se concentration o f only 3.5 ppbv,
which i s well below what would be expected at the flue gas temperature. The
speciation becomes more severe at lower temperatures and could be aggravated by
i n s u f f i c i e n t heat t o the sampling probe. If condensation occurs, the measurement
o f the Se emissions becomes a function o f the accuracy o f the f r o n t - h a l f (solid)
fraction. For t h i s program, the f r o n t - h a l f analyses were found t o be
~ n r e l i a b l e , ' , ~ and it was assumed that the particulate phase Se was represented
by the ESP hopper ash samples. However, the ESP solids were collected a t a point
in the gas stream where the gas temperature i s -340 'F. A t t h i s temperature,
almost a l l o f the Se i s i n the gas phase. It i s l i k e l y that a s i g n i f i c a n t f r a c -
t i o n o f the gas-phase Se condensed in the f r o n t - h a l f o f the Method 29 sampling
t r a i n and was unaccounted f o r due to the i n a b i l i t y t o obtain an accurate f r o n t -
h a l f (particulate) Se analysis.
CONSOL Pilot-Scale Selenium SamDlina Results
CONSOL R&D conducted a series o f 12 Se measurements on the f l u e gas from a 1.5 MM
Btu/hr p i l o t - s c a l e coal combustor (Figure 2). A l l measurements were taken under
t i g h t l y controlled combustion conditions using a constant coal source. The only
variable was the flue gas temperature. The gas phase emission results from t h i s
test and the associated gas and sampling temperatures were compared. The test
with the lowest flue gas temperature (200 'F) also showed the lowest concentrat
i o n o f gas phase Se (2.9 ppbv). The test with the highest f l u e gas temperature
(335 'F) resulted i n the highest gas phase Se concentration (9.3 ppbv).
The percent o f the available Se found i n the gas phase ranged from 11% t o 34% and
t h i s value was dependent on the temperature o f the flue gas and sampling equipment.
Vapor pressure has an exponential dependence on temperature. However,
because the temperatures are w i t h i n a narrow range, a l i n e a r correlation analysis
was conducted on the data t o assess the co-variance o f gas phase Se concentrations
with f l u e gas and sampling temperatures. The following correlations were
obtained from t h i s data set:
~
Gas Phase Se Concentration Correlated to: rz
Duct Temperature 0.77
Probe Temperature 0.51
F i l t e r Temperature 0.23
These data show that the gas phase Se i s moderately well correlated with the
temperature of the flue gas and (more weakly) with the temperature at which the
solids are collected i n the Method 29 t r a i n . These data suggest that the
p a r t i t i o n i n g between gas and solid phase i s influenced by these temperatures and
supports the mechanisms previously discussed. The data also show that cold spots
i n the f l u e gas handling system or the sampling probe can decrease the apparent
gas phase Se concentration (Figure 2). A decrease i n temperature between one
sampling position t o the next, in the temperature window o f 200 'F t o 300 'F
could deplete the vapor phase Se by deposition on the sidewalls or on fly ash
solids.
CONCLUSIONS * The Method 29 analytical procedure (including SW 846 digestion) shows a low
bias f o r most trace elements commonly found i n coal ash, including Se.
815
* Analytical bias (due t o Se v o l a t i l i z a t i o n ) can occur during the sample
preparation (digestion) stage. * Se p a r t i t i o n i n g i s influenced by the gas and sampling temperatures. * The Method 29 Sampling procedure can s h i f t the apparent speciation between
gas phase and s o l i d phase Se. * Material balance closures can be affected if vapor phase and s o l i d phase
samples are taken at d i f f e r e n t f l u e gas temperatures.
The simultaneous sampling and analysis o f Se i n conjunction with the other
elements as described i n EPA Method 29 may lead t o an inaccurate Se
determination.
RECOMMENDATIONS
This work represents an i n i t i a l step t o a more complete understanding o f Se
sampling in coal combustion systems. There are a number o f research areas that
should be further investigated to improve t h i s understanding and improve emission
measurements. Recommendations f o r future research are as follows:
* Conduct comparative M-29 sampling with the f r o n t - h a l f temperature at 258'F
and at the actual duct temperature. * Analyze M-29 f r o n t - h a l f Se concentrations by both the 511-846 technique and
the hydropyrolysis method. * Investigate more e f f e c t i v e digestion techniques f o r Se analysis o f s o l i d
samples .
* Conduct a Se balance program around a well-controlled system using the
suggested modifications.
REFERENCES
1. Personal communication (2/7/95) with Tom Brown, DOE/PETC, Pittsburgh, PA,
regarding data presented by the DOE project leaders at the Tenth Annual
Coal Preparation, Uti1 ization, and Environmental Control Contractors
Conference, 7/18-21/94, Pittsburgh, PA.
2. Final Report f o r Clay Boswell Power Station - Unit 2 (Minnesota Power
Company) f o r the Comprehensive Assessment o f Toxic Emissions from Coal-
Fired Power Plants, Prepared by Roy F. Weston, Inc., f o r DOE/PETC, DOE
Contract No. DE-AC22-93PC93255, July 1994.
Final Report f o r Baldwin Power Station - Unit 2 ( I l l i n o i s Power Company)
f o r the Comprehensive Assessment o f Toxic Emissions from Coal-Fired Power
Plants, Prepared by Roy F. Weston, Inc., f o r DOE/PETC, DOE Contract No.
4. E l l i o t , T.C., (and editors o f Power Magazine), Standard Handbook of
PowerDlant Engineering, McGraw H i l l , New York, NY, 1989.
5. Sloss, L. L., and Gardner, C. A., Samolina and Analvsis o f Trace Emissions
from Coal-Fired Power Stations, IEA Coal Research Draft Report, 9/94.
6. Perry, G., Chemical Engineer's Handbook, Sixth Edition, McGraw H i l l , New
York, NY, 1984.
7. Obermiller, E. L.; Conrad, V. 6.; and Lengyel, J. "Trace Element Content o f
Commercial Coals", EPRI Symposium on Managing Hazardous A i r Pollutants:
State of the A r t , Washington, DC, 11/4-6/91.
8. Rosendale, L. W.; DeVito, M. S. "Interlaboratory V a r i a b i l i t y and Accuracy
of Coal Analysis i n the U.S. Department o f Energy U t i l i t y A i r Toxics
Assessment Program", A(LWMA Annual Meeting and Exhibition, Cincinnati, OH,
Private communication discussing trace element analysis o f DOE Method 29
s o l i d samples f o r the Baldwin and Boswell t e s t s i t e s from Barry Rayfield
(Triangle Labs) t o Barry Jackson (Roy F. Weston, Inc.), 10/12/93.
3.
OE-CZ2-93PC93255, July 1994.
6/19-24/94.
9.
Table 1. Theoretical Phase Distribution for Se Emissions
Solid Phase (Fly ash) Vapor Phase
TemPerature,'F ppmwt (a) % of Total
96%
220 130
240 127
260 117 87%
280 90 67% 33%
300 33 24% 74 76% -
(a) Based on 10% ash i n coal, 70% bottom ash - 30% overhead ash r a t i o , and no
Se i n bottom ash
816
Table 2. Comparison o f Se Results on NIST 1633a
*Designates informational values
a)
b)
c)
Digestion and analytical procedure described i n M-2g9
Digestion and analytical procedure developed by CEM Corporation'
Digestion and analytical procedure developed by CDNSOL R&D2p3
Table 3. Selenium Mass Flowrates f o r the Baldwin Process Streams
(unit i s lb/hr*)
* The values inside the parentheses indicate the theoretical vapor phase
** concentration i n ppbv i f a l l o f the Se present was v o l a t i l i z e d
Values obtained from the Method 29 sampling t r a i n
- - 0 A.
200 210 220 250 2.0 250 264 270 2110 290 300 310 320
Gas Temperafurc. Y
Figure 1. Vapor Pressure Curve f o r SeD,.
A CONTINUOUS EMISSIONS MONITOR FOR TOTAL, ELEMENTAL, AND
TOTAL SPECIATED MERCURY
Andrew D. Sappey, Ph.D., Kevin G. Wilson, Ph.D., Richard J. Schlager, Gary L.
Anderson, and Douglas W. Jackson
ADA Technologies, Inc.
304 lnvemess Way South, Suite 1 IO
Englewood, CO 801 12
(303) 792-5615
Key Words: Elemental Mercury, Speciated Mercury, Continuous Emissions Monitor
ABSTRACT
ADA Technologies, Inc., is developing a continuous emissions monitoring system
that measures the concentrations of mercury and volatile mercury compounds in flue gas.
These pollutant species are emitted from a number of industrial processes. The largest
contributors of these emissions are coal and oil combustion, municipal waste combustion,
medical waste combustion, and the thermal treatment of hazardous materials. It is
dificult, time consuming, and expensive to measure mercury emissions using current,
manual sampling test methods. Part of this difficulty lies in the fact that mercury is
emitted from sources in several different forms, such as elemental mercury and mercuric
chloride. The ADA analyzer measures these emissions in real time, thus providing a
number of advantages over existing test methods: 1) it will provide a real-time measure of
emission rates, 2) it will assure facility operators, regulators, and the public that
emissions control systems are working at peak efficiency, and 3) it will provide
information as to the nature of the emitted mercury (elemental mercury or speciated
compounds). This paper presents an overview of the CEM and describes features of key
components of the monitoring system-the mercury detector, a mercury species
converter, and the analyzer calibration system.
THE NEED FOR A MERCURY CEM
Future strategies for controlling hazardous air pollutants will involve the use of
continuous emissions monitoring systems. These systems provide a real-time measure of
pollutants being emitted from sources and are needed in terms of assuring compliance
with emissions regulations. They can also be used to help facilities operate pollution
control equipment at peak efficiencies.
Mercury is a pollutant that has been receiving much attention in terms of
monitoring and control strategies. The toxicity of mercury has prompted industry and
regulators to develop methods to minimize its release to the environment. Continuous
monitoring systems will play a key role in assuring that emissions of this hazardous
material are minimized.
Mercury is emitted from industrial sources in a variety of chemical forms
depending on the specific process and flue gas conditions. For example, mercury is
known to exist as elemental mercury [Hgo] and as mercuric chloride [HgCI2] in most
industrial flue gases that contain mercury.' A knowledge of the relative concentrations of
th- . - :
c v d m s farm of mercury wil: be ieqliiied fcr gr pollilticn control devices to operate
effectively. An example of this principle is given in Table 1 for a coal-fired power plant.2
Current standard testing techniques rely on manual "grab samples" where flue gas
is drawn through a series of impinger solutions to collect elemental and speciated forms of
niercury.) The collected samples are analyzed in an analytical chemistry laboratory using
complex techniques and instrumentation. These field sampling and analytical techniques
are cumbersome, labor intensive, and expensive. A I-week comprehensive sampling
program can cost in the range of $25,000-$50,000,
818
A continuous mercury monitoring system should address the following needs:
Since the optimum control device depends on the specific chemical form of
the mercury, an analyzer that can distinguish between the chemical forms
is needed to assure effective operation of the APCD.
An analyzer is needed that will assure the APCD is working properly
An analyzer is needed that can be used to control the feed rate of a process
generating the mercury emission.
An analyzer is needed that will help assure the public and regulatory
agencies that facilities which produce mercury emissions are in compliance
with regulatory limits.
DESCRIPTION OF CEM
In response to the need for monitoring mercury emissions in real-time, ADA
Technologies has developed a continuous emissions monitoring system that is capable of
measuring total mercury, elemental mercury, and (by difference) total speciated mercury.
The system features a sensitive mercury detector, a mercury species converter, and a
calibration system. Figure I shows the components in a typical CEM arrangement.
The "converter.' is used to change speciated mercury compounds to elemental
mercury. When the sample gas is placed through the converter, a measure of the total
mercury content of the flue gas is obtained. When the converter is bypassed, only
elemental mercury is measured in the gas sample. The difference between the two
measurements is the concentration of total speciated mercury content.
A heated, non-reactive sample transport line is used to convey the gas sample to
the analyzer. Calibration gas is introduced to the end of the sample line in order to assure
that the entire sampling system and the analyzer are calibrated as a single unit.
DESCRIPTION OF COMPONENTS
Mercurv Detector
The analyzer uses a unique ultraviolet absorption technique to quantify the
mercury. Proprietary optical components are incorporated that provide a measurement
sensitivity below I p8/m3 (less than approximately IS0 ppt vlv). The analyzer has a
linear response to a concentration of greater than 100 p8/m3. The optical design also
eliminates the effects of interfering gases such as sulfur dioxide,
Figure 2 shows the analyzer response when elemental mercury was introduced at
a concentration of 2.6 p8/m3 (390 ppt v/v). Also shown in the figure is the signal when
zero gas was introduced into the analyzer. Based on the peak-to-peak noise level
observed, a minimum level of detection (defined as 2x noise level) of 0.39 pgim3 (58 ppt
v/v) is calculated. Operation with detection limits as low as 45 ppt have been observed
under ideal conditions.
7 he ADA analyzer incorporates a unique optical design that eliminates the effects
of interfering gases such as sulfur dioxide. Figure 3 shows the response of the detection
system when measuring mercury at a concentration of 8.1 pgim3 (1.2 ppb v/v) in the
presence of sulfur dioxide at a concentration of 1000 ppm. Within the uncertainty of the
measurement, the analyzer corrects for the SO2 absorption perfectly.
l'igure 4 shows the response of the analyzer over a concentration range of 0 to 6
ppb v/v). This range is expec!ed to cover most concentrations expected in coal-fired and
municipal solid waste generated flue gases. A dilution probe is used on the analyzer for
situations in which high concentrations of mercury are present, such as when monitoring
uncontrolled emissions ahead of an APCD.
819
Converter
A mercury species converter is another key component of the CEM system. The
converter is used to distinguish between concentrations of elemental and "total" mercury
found in the flue gas. Since the mercury detector measures only elemental mercury, the
converter is needed to change speciated forms of mercury present in the flue gas to
elemental mercury. Total mercury is, therefore, measured by passing the flue gas sample
through the converter. Elemental mercury concentrations are measured by the CEM
when the flue gas sample bypasses the converter. Total speciated mercury is then
determined as the difference between the measured total mercury concentration and the
elemental mercury concentration.
The converter uses a unique design that eliminates the need for expendable
chemicals to reduce the speciated forms of mercury. Figures 5 and 6 show the response
of the analyzer to two surrogate speciated mercury compounds--mercuric chloride and
dimethyl mercury. The test sequence repeatedly injected the mercury species through the
converter to allow measurement of the resulting elemental mercury and then bypassed the
converter to demonstrate the converter effectiveness. Note the slower response time of
the analyzer for the speciated forms relative to elemental mercury. This is due to
adsorption of the "sticky" speciated forms of mercury on the walls of the tubing and gas
cells. Heat tracing of the gas handling system mitigates this problem to some extent. This
becomes important in the final analyzer system as it will limit how quickly one can
calibrate the analyzer for speciated forms of mercury and therefore how often this
procedure can be done.
Qlibrator
ADA Technologies developed a calibrator for use with the mercury CEM. The
calibrator is based on the use of permeation tubes to provide known and accurate
concentrations of elemental mercury and mercuric chloride. These devices are considered
primary standards for calibrating continuous monitors and they are used to calibrate
ambient air analyzers. ADA has developed a two-channel calibrator--one channel is used
to calibrate the elemental mercury detector and the other is used to calibrate the converter.
REFERENCES
I . Niclscn (IYY3). "Air 'Inxics Control by Spray Dryer Absorption Systems," presented at the EPRl
S c c d International Conference on Managing Hazardous Air Pollutants, Washington, D.C., July 13-15.
2. Mcllvaine Company (1992). "Mercury Speciation is lmportant and Doable," Air Pollution Monitoring
and Sampling Newsletter. No. 147. January.
3. 'l'iiney. M.I.. (1993). "Update on EPA's Experience with Method 301: Field Validation of Emission
Concentrations." I'apcr No. 93-RP-145.01, presented at the 86th Annual Meeting of the Air & Waste
Man:igemcnt Associalion, Denver. CO, June 13-18.
TABLES
Table 1. Mercury Removal Under
Different Process Conditions
Ash Loading Coal % Mercury
Plant to Spray Dryer CI Removed
B High Low 23
C High Low 6
G High Low 16
A High Low i4
E Low High 55
H LOW ' High 44
F Medium High 89
D High High 96
820
FIGURES
30-
2.5-
2.0-
1 1 . 5 - j
u" 1.0-
I"
0.5 -
/
Elemental
Mercury
Analyzer
Figure 1. Mercury CEM arrangement.
/L
0.0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
Time (minutes)
Figure 2. Response of the analyzer to 2.6 @m3 of mercury.
12
10
% 6
: 4
I"
2
0
10 al 30 40
Time (minutes)
Figllre 3. hlerciiry detector response when measuring mercury in the presence of stdrltr
dioxide.
821
Analyzer
Response
0 1 2 3 4 6 6
Mercury Concentration (ppb v/v)
Figure 4. Linearity of the mercury detector.
, Through Converter
33 pg/m3
(5 ppb vlv)
Analyzer
Response
Time
Figure 5. Mercuric chloride being converted to elemental mercury.
Through Converter
A rialyzer
Res po tise L
822
PRECOMBUSTION CONTROL OPTIONS FOR AIR TOXICS
David J. Akers and Clark D. Harrison
CQ Inc.
One Quality Center
Homer City, Pennsylvania 15748
Keywords: Trace Elements, Coal Cleaning, and Air Toxics Control
INTRODUCTION
Coal cleaning rcducw the ash and sulfur content of coal by removing ash-forming and
sLIlfur-bcaring minerals. Coal cleaning can also rcduce the concentration of most of the
clemcnrs named as hazardous air pollutants in the 1990 Amendmcnts to the Clean Air
Act lxcause many of thcsc elcmcnts arc associated with mincral mattcr. For example,
arscnic is commonly associated with pyritc; cadmium with sphaleritc; chromium with clay
mincrals; mcrcury with pyritc and cinnahar; nickcl with millcritc, pyrite, and othcr
sulfides; and sclcnium with lcad sclcnidc, pyrite, and othcr sulfides (Finkclman, 1980).
Thcrc arc also casw in which some of these clcments arc organically bound. Just as both
organic and pyritic sulfur can lx found in the samc coal, thc samc tracc clcmcnt may be
both organically bound and present as part of a mineral in the samc coal. Organically
hound trace elements are riot removcd by currcntly uscd methods of clcaning coal.
Trace clcments removcd by coal cleaning will not Ix rckascd into the atmosphere during
combustion. Also, coal cleaning reduces the ash coiitcnt of thc coal and increases the
hcating value, reducing transponation costs and increasing lniler ctticicncy. Finally, coal
clcaning providcs othcr cnvironmcntal Ixncfits by rcducing the sulfilr dioxidc cmissions
potcntial of die coal and thc amount of ash for collection and disposal.
As an air tonics control measure, coal clcaning otfers several advantages to utilities.
Because physical coal clcaning is a rclativcly incxpnsivc tcchnology, it may prove to be
the lowest-cost control option in many cascs. Also, coal cleaning is currcntly thc only
cotnmcrcially availnhlc control tcchnology for the highly volatile trace clcment mercury.
Finally, removing tracc clements bcforc co~nhustiorir educcs the concentration of thrsc
clemcnts in utility solid wastes, rcducing possible long-term cnvironmrntal liahility.
TRACE ELEMENT REDUCTION BY CONVENTIONAL CLEANING
In tlic US, work hy CQ Inc., Southcrn Company Serviccs, Iiic. (SCS), Consolidation
Coal Company (CONSOL), and Bituminous Coal Research Inc. (BCR) has dcmonstratcd
that conventional mrthods of coal cleaning can produce largc reductions in the
concentration of many trace clcments (Akcrs and Dospoy, 1993; CQ Inc. and SCS, 1993;
DcVito et al., 1993; and Ford and Price, 1982). Combincd, thcsc sources providc tracc
clrmcnt reduction data from 16 commercial and tcn commercial-scale cleaning tests. This
data is summarizcd for arsenic and mercury in Tablc 1. As no attempt was madc to
enhance removal of any tracc clcment, thesc results arc reprcscntativc of tracc clcmcnt
reductions that occur as a by-product of cleaning for ash and sulfur reduction.
The data in Tahlc 1 demonstrate that physical coal cleaning is ctfcctive in reducing the
concentration of. thesc two tracc elcments, although the dcgrce of- ctfectivencss varies. For
example, arsenic reduction varies 'from 20 to 85 prcent and mcrcury reduction from -191
(an incrcase) to 78 prccnt. Part of the olwxvcd variability in trace clement rcduction is
caused by poor analytical prccision. Thc accurate measurement of clcments present in
tracc conccntrations in coal is challenging and cvcn wcll qualiticd laboratories can produce
faulty rcsults (Akcrs ct al., 1990). Howcver, most of the variability appcars to rclatc to
the interactions lxnvcen the total amoiint of mincral mattcr rcmoved by cleaning, the
m~thod hy which the coal is cleaned, and the mode of occurrcnce of the tracc clrmcnt
txaring-mineral matter.
Thc primary cconomic motivc for ckaning coal is to cemovc ash-forming mineral matter
to rcduce coal transportation costs, lower ash collection, handling and disposal costs, and
increase combustion efficiency. Coals are clcaned to a varicty of ash levcls to mcet local
and regional market dcmalids. Thc ash reduction achievcd by a cleaning plant is dircctly
related to thc total amount of mincral matter removcd. Not surprisingly, tracc clcmcnt
reduction tends to increase with ash rcduction. Howcver, factors other than ash reduction
impact the reduction of many elements including thc dcgrcc of lilxration of the tracc
clement lxaring mineral and the ability of thc coal clcaning equipment utilized to removr
the mineral.
823
Mineral matter occurs in coal in a variety of forms. For example, pyrite, the most studied
coahssociated mineral, can occur as anything from a massive frachire till SCVeral
centimeters in sizc to discrete euhedrnl crystals a few microns in six. Some conventional
coal cleaning oprrations crush the raw coal lxfore cleaning to protect equipment from
oversized material and to liberate ash- or sulfur-bearing minerals. While cnishing is
minimizcd to avoid producing excess tines, it can lilxrate larger minerals forms. It can
also lilxrate trace element-hearing miiieral matter.
CQ Inc. performed a washability study of Kentucky No. 11 Seam coal. During this
study, a comparison was made of tincnished coal with coal cnished to 9.5 mm topsizc.
In this case, additional arsenic lilxration occurs when the raw coal is crushed to a topsizc
of 9.5 mm. For example, cleaning the uncnished coal at 90 percent energy recovery
produces an 86 percent arsenic reduction, while cleaning the cnlshed coal at the same
energy recovery produces a 97 yrcent arsenic reduction. In this example, cnlshing
increased the lilxration of the arsenic-lxaring mineral(s) in the coal allowing additional
quantities to Ix removed without any sacrifice of energy recovery.
The t y of~ eq uipment used in a cleaning plant can also atfrct trace element reduction.
Tahle 2 contains a comparison of a heavy-media cyclone and froth tlotation for trace
element reduction. In this case, Pratt Seam coal from Alahama was cleaned by both
technologies. Here, chromium reduction is roughly proprtional to ash reduction for
Imth cleaning devices; however, while mercury is reduced by the heavy-media cyclone, it
is increased by froth tlotation.
The comparison of froth tlotation to heavy-media cycloning illustrates the concept that
physical cleaning processes do not remove trace elements as such, hut rather remove trace
element-lxaring minerals. Mercury commonly occurs in coal within the stnicnire of the
mineral pyrite. As pyrite is a ver)' dense mineral, it is easily removed by a density-based
process such as a heavymedia cyclone. However, cleaning processes such as froth
tlotation remove minerals based on surface characteristics. Because coal and pyrite have
similar surface characteristics, convcntianal froth tlotation may not provide high
reductions of either pyrite or pyrite-associated trace elements such as mercury.
TRACE ELEMENT REDUCTION BY ADVANCED CLEANING
Advanced coal cleaning techno~ogies may 0 t h advantagcs over conventional technologies
in reducing trace elements. Advanced processes typically involve cnishing coal to increase
the chance of liberating sulfur-hearing and ash-forming mineral matter, possibly also
lilxrating trace element-hewing mineral matter. Also, advanced processes are specifically
desiglied to clean tine-sized coal, making them more efficient than conventional processes
in removing mineral matter from this material.
In aIi evaluation of Sewickley Seam coal, CQ Inc. compared an advanced coal cleaning
process developed by Custom Coals International to conventional coal cleaning techniques
(Akers and Dospy, 1993). The Custom Coals' process is characterized by several
innovative components including a tine-coal heavy-media cyclone separation circuit. A
conventional coal cleaning plant using heavy-media v c d s and water-only cyclones was
used for comparison. As part of this evnluntion, enensive washability and lilxration tests
were perfon+ on the coal. CQ Inc. engineers d~velopcd computer models of a
conventional coal cleaning plant and a plant using the advanced process with middlings
crushing for lilxration. This information was used to produce a lahoratory-simulated
clean coal by combining the appropriate size and density fractions of the raw coal in the
proportions predicted by the models to produce both the conventional and the advanced
clean coal.
The results of this evaluation are prcsenied in Table 3. Conventional cleaning techniques
reduced the concentration of antimony, arsenic, chromiiim, colialt, lead, mercury, and
nickel and advanced techniques provided a further reduction in all cases except mercury.
For example, conventional cleaning reduced the arsenic concentration of the coal from 14
to 7 ppm, while advanced cleaning provided a further reduction to 4 ppm.
CONCLUSIONS
Coal cleaning techniques are etfcctive in removing ash-forming mineral matter along with
many mineral-associated trace elements from coal. Data gathered from commercial and
commercial-scale cleaning tests indicate that trace element reduction tends to increase as
ash reduction increases. However, factors such as the mode of occurrence of the trace
824
elemcnt-karing mineral and the t y of~ cle aning equipment employed also atfcct trace
element reduction. Furthermore, there is some evidence that advanced coal cleaning
P ~ C a S C csa n provide higher reductions of some trace elements than conventional
ProCCSSCs. Knowledge of the interplay lxtween the characteristics of the trace elementbearing
mineral and various types of coal cleaning equipment can be wed to enhance
trace e h e n t removal during coal cleaning.
REFERENCES
f i e r s , D. and Dospoy, R., "An Overview of the use of Coal Cleaning to Reduce Air
Toxics", Minerals and Metalltirgical Procrssing, Published by the Society for Mining,
Metallurgy, and Exploration, Littleton, Colorado, Vol. 10, No. 3, pp 124-127, August
1993.
Akers, D., Strcib, D., and Hudyncia, M., Lalmratory Guidelines and Procedures: Trace
Elements in Coal, Volume 5: Analytic Procedures for Trace Elements, EPlU CS-5644,
Val. 5, Novemlwr 1990.
CQ Inc. and Southern Company Services, Inc., Engineering Development of Selective
&glomeration: Trace Element Removal Study, Final Report for DOE Contract No. DEAC22-
89PC88879, September 1993.
DeVito, M., Rosendale, L., and Conrad, V., "Comparison of Trace Element Contents of
Raw and Clean Commercial Coals," Presented at the DOE Workshop on Trace Elements
in Coal-Fired Power System, Scottsdale, AZ, April 1993.
Finkelman, R.R., "Modes of Occurrence of Trace Elements in Coal," Ph.D. Dissertation,
University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 1980.
Ford, C. and Price, A., "Evaluation of the Effects of Coal Cleaning on Fugitive Elements:
Final Report, Phase 111," DOE/EV/04427-62, J ~ l y19 82.
825
Table 1. Trace Element Reduction by Conventional Coal Cleaning
Seom
Centrol App. A
Centrol App. E
Illinois No. 6
Pittsburgh - A
Pittsburgh - B
Pittsburgh - C
Pittsburgh - D
Pittsburgh - E
Pittsburgh
Upper Freeport
Lower Kittonning
Sewickley
Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh
Illinois No. 6
Kentucky No. 9814
Pratt/Utley
Prott
Utley
Prott
Upper Freeport
Upper Freeport
Illinois 2,3,5
Illinois 2.3.5
Kentucky No. 11
Kentucky No. 11
Doto
CONSOL
CONSOL
CONSOL
CONSOL
CONSOL
CONSOL
CONSOL
CONSOL
scs
scs
ECR
BCR
BCR
BCR
BCR
BCR
CQ Inc.
CQ Inc.
CQ Inc.
CQ Inc.
CQ Inc.
CQ Inc.
CQ Inc.
CQ Inc.
CQ Inc.
CQ Inc.
Ash
Reduction
(%)
87
88
87
52
79
82
76
78
a4
24
74
65
69
34
57
51
75
66
43
75
83
86
-61
57
06
90
Arsenic
Reduction
(%)
58
49
62
68
74
75
83
63
El
40
72
51
61
30
20
46
43
42
29
28
83
85
39
54
66
43
-
CONS01 - Consolidation Cool Company
SCS - Southern Company Services, Inc.
BCR - Bituminous Cool Research
App - Appolochion
Mercury
Reduction
(%)
22
39
60
33
50
30
12
41
42
-191
38
25
27
14
12
24
39
22
26
45
78
76
28
50
48
826
-....
Table 2- Equipment Performance Comparison (Percent Reductions)
Heavy-Media Cyclone Froth Flotation
Ash 70 62
Chromium 63 56
Mercury 26 -20
Toble 3. Conventional and Advanced Cleaning (ppm except where noted)
Ash Content (Wt %)
Antimony
Arsenic
Cadmium
Chromium
Cobalt
Lead
Mercury
Nickel
Selenium
29.2
0.80
14.0
0.20
16.07
0.27
14.73
0.16
13.39
1.14
Conventional
Cleaning
15.2
0.48
7.2
0.63
8.35
0.24
6.96
0.14
9.13
1.54
Custom Cool
Advanced Process
14.0
0.26
3.5
0.34
8.22
0.22
6.16
0.14
8.21
1.24
827
POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS TRACE ELEMENTS IN KENTUCKY COALS
Lori J. Blanchard, J. David Robertson, S. Srikantapura,
B. K. Parekh, Frank E. Huggins
Department of Chemistry and Center for Applied Energy Research
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY 40506-0055
Keywords: Trace elements, coal Cleaning, elemental partitioning
INTRODUCTION
The minor and major trace elemental content of coal is of great
interest because of the potentially hazardous impact on human health and
the environment resulting from their release during coal combustion. Of
the one billion tons of coal mined annually in the United States, 85-90%
is consumed by coal-fired power plants. Pot.entially toxic elements
present at concentrations as low as a few pgfg can be released in large
quantities from combustion of this magnitude.
The 1,990 Amendments to the Clean Air Act listed 12 elements found
in coal as being potentially subject to control: Sb, As, Be, C1, Cd, Co,
Cr, Pb, Hg, Mn, Ni, and Se. In this study the partitioning of these and
other elements during coal combustion and advanced cleaning processes
has been investigated. Elemental concentrations were measured in the
fractions obtained before and after combustion or cleaning using
external beam particle induced X-ray emission (PIXE). PIXE is a rapid,
instrumental technique that, in principle, is capable of analyzing all
elements from sodium through uranium without chemical interference
effects. In practice more than 20 elements are routinely determined
with sensitivities as low as 1 pg/g.
KwERIl@aTAL
Sample Preparation
S;pmbustion stud ie. Samples of feed coal, fly ash, and bottom ash
were collected from two western Kentucky coal-fired power plants (Plants
A and B). Each sample was ground to -225 mesh and dried at 105OC
overnight. The ash samples were mixed with dried, high-purity graphite
to obtain -30% by weight of ash. Each coal and ash/graphite sample was
pressed into a 1 nun x 19 mm pellet.
Goal c l e w studies. A sample of run of mine coal from the
Kentucky #9 seam was collected at the mine site, and split into
subsamples as needed. Each subsample was ground to -325 mesh and a 5%
(w/v) slurry was prepared. The slurry was subjected to Denver
floatation, and the float fraction was further subjected to hydrothermal
leaching using either a NaOH or HN03 solution.
temperature, and pressure of the leaching process were varied to
ascertain their influence, if any, on the removal of trace elements.
The clean coal was dried at 50°C overnight, and pressed into a pellet as
described above.
Experimental Setup
The samples were irradiated with an external 1.6 MeV and 2.1 MeV
proton beam.
surface, was swept over the target to irradiate a 16 mm diameter area.
The sample chamber was flushed with helium at atmospheric pressure to
reduce sample heating and charging. X-rays were detected with a Si(Li)
detector (FWHM resolution of 160 eV at 5.90 keV) placed at an angle of
45' relative to the incident beam. The irradiation time for each sample
was 15 minutes.
Figure 1. Similar spectra are obtained from the analysis of fly ash and
bottom ash.
software.
The duration,
The beam, at an angle of 23' relative to the sample
A typical PIXE spectrum of a coal sample is shown in
Data analyses were performed using the GUPIX* PC-based
RESULTS 6 DISCUSSION
m u s t i o n stUd.i€S. Enrichment factors, shown in Figures 2 and 3,
are used to illustrate the partitioning behavior of elements during coal
combustion. The enrichment factor, EF, for element X is given by:
EF" ash' feed coal
[A' ash' [*I feed coal
The ratio of the concentration of X in the ash and feed coal is
calculated relative to the ratio of the concentration of A1 in the same
828
1E 4
183
1E2
1R1
1E 0
0 200 4 0 0 600 BOO 1000
C h a n n e l
Figure 1. Typical PIXE s p e c t r u m o€ coal.
A1 Si S Cl. K Ca Ti V Cc Mrl Fe Ni. CIA Zn Ga Ge As Bc Sc
F i g u r e 2. Enrichment f a c t o r s tor Plant A.
AlSi S C1 KCaTIVCrMnFeNiCuZnGaGeAsBrSr
~ i 3 . ~E n r i c h~me n t ~factoer s fo r P l a n t B.
829
ash and feed coal samples because A1 is known to partition equally
between the fly ash and bottom ash.
observed in Plant A is consistent with accepted partitioning behavior.
Figure 3 illustrates that the majority of the elements were more
enriched in the bottom ash than in the fly ash: Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni,
Cu, Ga, As, and Br. This unusual enrichment in the bottom ash was
thought to be due to the addition of tailings from the coal cleaning
processes to the bottom ash. Plant operators later confirmed the use of
this practice at the plant.
Coal clean ina studies. Concentration factors were used to evaluate
the effectiveness of the hydrothermal leaching coal cleaning process.
The concentration factor, CF, for element X is given by:
The partitioning of elements
However, different results were obtained from Plant B samples.
CF= clean coal (hydrothermal leaching)
float fraction (Denver floatation)
Thus, a CF < 1 indicates a reduction in the concentration of that
element as a result of hydrothermal leaching. A comparison of the CFs
obtained using NaOH and HN03 as the chemical leaching agents is shown in
Figure 4. The increase observed in the concentration of some elements
(i.e. CF > 1) could be the result of these elements being leached from
reactor components. The increase may also be due to a contaminated
leaching solution. It should be noted, however, that the elements whose
concentration did increase are not of significant environmental concern.
concentrations for a l l elements except V and Ga. When HN03 was the
leaching agent most elements were removed very efficiently (CF < 0.5).
The degree to which elements are removed by coal cleaning processes
depends to a great extent on their mode of occurrence or chemical
association in the coal. Although the exact composition can vary
greatly from one coal to the next, generalizations have been made
concerning common modes of occurrence for trace elements in coal. 3 , 4 . 5
Mg, Ca, Mn, and Sr have a carbonate association in some coals. This
would explain their efficient removal since the solubilities of
carbonates increase in acidic solutions. Elements known to have an
association with pyrite, Fe, S, As, Zn, Ni, and Ga, all show a
significant decrease in concentration. Similarly, a considerable
reduction in elements known to be strongly associated with silicates,
Si, Al. Mg, and K, was observed. The reduction in Cl and Br
concentrations by both NaOH and HN03 treatment could indicate they are
present as soluble salts.
removed less efficiently by HN03.
HN03 was more effective than NaOH in reducing elemental
Elements thought to have a significant organic association were
In these samples, those elements were
Figure 4. Concentration factors for NaOH and HNO3.
830
vn Cr, Ti, and Cu. X-ray absorption fine structure SpeCtrOSCopY of
Kentucky #9 coal has indicated a partial organic association for V, Cr.
and Ti. Although the association of cu has not been determined in these
samples, cu is known to have partial organic associations in other
coals.
are illustrated in Figures 5-7.
temperature of the hydrot.herma1 leaching process showed essentially no
improvement in the reduction of elemental concentrations for Some
ehnents and only slight improvements for others. Thus, it appears
these Variables have minimal impact on the effectiveness of this coal
cl.eaning process.
The effect of other variab1.e~ in the hydrothermal leaching process
Increases in the duration, pressure and
SUmaRY
The partitioning of elements during coal combustion is influenced
by t.he mode of occurrence of the elements in the feed coal, hoiler
characteristics, and the volatility of the species present. Therefore
it is not unusual to observe differences in the partitioning of elements
- .
M g A l - S i ' S 'Cl' K 'Ca.Ti'V C r ' ~ . P e . N i ' C u ' Z r ; G a ' A s B r ' S ~
Figure 5 . Concentration factors for djfferent leaching time
periods.
__...^.. ___ _ ._ .
MgAlSl S C1 K
.. ... ____....
Ti V CrMnFeNICuZnGaAsBrS.
Figure 6. Concentration factors for different pressures.
831
e
Sr
Figure 7. C o n c e n t r a t i o n factors for d i f f e r e n t t e m p e r a t u r e s .
a t d i f f e r e n t c o a l - f i r e d power p l a n t s using d i f f e r e n t feed c o a l .
Nevertheless, t h e d i f f e r e n c e s observed i n t h i s study a r e more l i k e l y
caused by t h e a d d i t i o n of wastes from coal c l e a n i n g p r o c e s s e s to t h e
bottom ash of Plant 8.
The v a r i a b l e with t h e g r e a t e s t impact on hydrothermal leaching
appears t o be t h e 1.eaching chemical i t s e l f . A s i g n i f i c a n t reduction i n
the c o n c e n t r a t i o n of mauy elements was observed with the iise of HN03 as
the l e a c h i n g a g e n t . P r e s e n t data suggests ot.her v a r i a b l e s i n the
process have on1.y s l i g h t impact on t h e removal ot hazardous elements i n
c o a l . Work is ongoing to optimize the overall system t u obtain t h e
.Lowest p o s s i b l e elemental. conccntrati.ons.
C1, Cr, Mn, Ni, and As were analyzed i n t h i s work. The remaining seven
elements not analyzed were p r e s e n t a t levels below the s e n s i t i v i t y oi
our experimental system, however f u t u r e work on t h e s e samples w i l l
i n c l u d e a n a l y z i n g f o r t h e s e e l e m e n t s u s i n g n e u t r o n a c t i v a t i o n a n a l y s i s .
Of t h e 12 “ a i r t o x i c s ” l i s t e d i n t h e 1990 Clean A i r Act. Amendments
AcKu- 9 .
This work was supported by t h e U. S. DOE and the Kentucky EPSCoR
Program.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
REFERENCES
1992 Keystone Coal I n d u s t r y Manual, MacLeari Hunter
P u b l i c a t i o n s , Chicago, IL (1992).
Maxwell, J. A.; Campbell, J. L.; Teesdale, W. , J . Nuclear
.Instrumentation and Methods 1989, 843, 218.
Finkelman, R. B. In Atomic a n d N u c l e a r Methods i n F o s s i l
Eneigy Research; Filby, R. H.; Carpent.er, B. S.; Ragaini, R.
C., Eds.; Plenum Press Corporation: New York, 1982; 141-149.
Finkelman, R. 8. Fuel P r o c e s s j n g Technology 1994, 39, 21.
Conrad, V. 8.: Krotcheck. L). S. I n EemenLai Amlysis of Coa.2
and Its By-products; Vourvopoulos, G. G . , Ed.; World
S c i e n t i f i c : Singapore, 1992; 97-123.
832
SCREENING OF CARBON-BASED SORBENTS FOR THE REMOVAL
OF ELEMENTAL MERCURY FROM SIMULATED COMBUSTION FLUE GAS
Brian C. Young and Mark A. Musich
University of North Dakota
Energy & Environmental Research Center
PO Box 9018
Grand Forks, ND 58202-9018
(701) 777-5000
Keywords: Sorbents, Mercury, Flue Gas
ABSTRACT
A fixed-bed reactor system with continuous Hg" analysis capabilities was used to evaluate commercial
carbon sorbents for the removal of elemental mercury from simulated flue gas. The objectives of the
program were to compare the sorbent effectiveness under identical test conditions and to identify the
effects of various flue gas components on elemental mercury sorption.
Sorbents tested included steam-activated lignite, chemically activated hardwood, chemically activated
bituminous coal, iodated steam-activated coconut shell, and sulfur-impregnated steam-activated bituminous
coal. The iodated carbon was the most effective sorbent, showing over 99% mercury removal according
to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Method IOIA. Data indicate that adding 0, at 4 vol%
reduced the effectiveness of the steam-activated lignite, chemically activated hardwood, and sulfurimpregnated
steam-activated bituminous coal. Adding SO, at 500 ppm improved the mercury removal
of the sulfur-impregnated carbon. Further, the presence of HCI gas (at 50 ppm) produced an order of
magnitude increase in mercury removal with the chemically activated and sulfur-impregnated bituminous
coal-based carbons.
I
INTRODUCTION
Coal combustion and gasification processes together with industrial and commercial operations, such as
waste incineration, emit significant quantities of trace elements to the atmosphere each year (I). The 1990
Clean Air Act Amendments have identified eleven trace elements (beryllium, chromium, manganese,
cobalt, nickel, arsenic, selenium, cadmium, antimony, lead, and mercury) for control because of their
potential harmful effects to the ecosystem. Mercury (along with arsenic and selenium) is of particular
concern because it can occur in vapor or submicron fume form, and as such conventional collection
devices (precipitators and baghouses) are marginally effective for its removal (2).
Trace element control strategies have recently focused on disposable or regenerable sorbents (activated
carbons, coke, limestone) that can be injected as powders directly into flue gas streams or utilized in
fluid-bed or fixed-bed reactors. However, homogeneous or heterogeneous reactions with other flue gas
constituents (HCI. 03 can occur. Identifying and controlling these reactions are important in determining
the effectiveness of sorbents to capture particular species, e&, metallic mercury, mercuric chloride, or
mercuric oxide. Further, other gases such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide have
the potential to interfere with the effective sorption of mercury species.
The overall objective of the ongoing project is to identify the conditions (temperature and flow rates) and
the controlling processes (mercury species and concentration, flue gas components) for the most effective
capture of trace elements by carbon sorbents in combustion and gasification systems.
EXPERIMENTAL
Apparatus and Procedure
The mercury sorbent test apparatus consists of four main subsystems: I) flue gas generation, 2) mercury
injection, 3) sorbent-flue gas contactor, and 4) effluent gas mercury analysis (with data logging). A
diagram of the test apparatus is presented in Figure 1.
The simulated flue gas, which can contain N,, O,, CO,, SO,. HCI, and NO,, is generated in a manifold
system; rotameters provide volume flow control. Elemental mercury vapors are generated with a
permeation tube(s). The permeation tube mercury desorption rate, and consequently, the simulated flue
gas mercury concentration, is a function of the permeation tube's N, sweep gas equilibrium temperature.
permeation tube temperature control. to within 0.1 "c Of setpoint. is provided by a condensor heated with
circulating heat-transfer fluid.
A u.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Method 5 in-stack particulate sampling filter is used as
a sorbent bed containment device. The interior of the filter assembly, including filter support grid, and
all other components in contact with the mercury-laden gas are Teflon-coated. The filter assembly and
influent tubing are electrically heated to maintain the desired temperature and prevent condensation. A
downflow Configuration iS used to minimize entrainment of powdered sorbents. The filter static and
833
differential pressures are monitored using pressure gauges. The filter assembly can be equipped with a
thermocouple to measure the flowing gas temperature.
The elemental mercury concentration in the simulated flue gas stream is continuously monitored using
a DuPont Model 400 ultraviolet (253.7 nanometer) photometric analyzer. A Buck Scientific Model 400
cold-vapor ultraviolet analyzer has also been used to monitor the filter inlet mercury concentration.
Mercury concentration values from the analyzers are continuously logged to a chart recorder; a data
acquisition unit coupled with a lap-top computer has been used to log mercury analyzer output data and
select system temperatures. Diaphragm-type and bubble-type gas meters have been used to measure the
total gas rate.
Sorbents
The following five commercial actiiated carbons were evaluated as elemental mercury sorbents: 1)
chemical-activated hardwood (ACl), 2) steam-activated lignite ( A a ) , 3) 5% sulfur-impregnated
steam-activated bituminous coal (AC3), 4) chemically activated bituminous coal (AC4), and 5) 10%
iodine-impregnated steam-activated coconut shell (AC5). The activated carbons were tested as powders;
the sulfur and iodine impregnated carbons were obtained in granular form and then comminuted to a
nominal 200-mesh (75-micron) top size.
Tests Performed
Twenty-seven tests were performed using the five sorbents. Test variables included sorbent type, 0,
concentration (0 or 4 vel%), SO, concentration (0 or 500 ppm), and HCI concentration (0 or 50 ppm).
Common test parameters were as follows: a nominal mercury concentration of 100 pglm', gas rate of
26 scfh, filter assembly gas temperature of 150°C (300"F), and sorbent mass of 0.20 g. The tests are
summarized below.
Six tests, one each with ACI and AC2 and two each with AC3 and AC5, used 100,vol% N,
as the simulated flue gas
Five tests, one each with ACl, AC2, AC3, AC4, and AC5, used 4 vol% O,, 96 vol% N, as
the simulated flue gas
Thirteen tests, two each with ACI and AC2 and three each with AC3, AC4. and AC5, used
a simulated flue gas composed of 4 ~ 0 1%0, .9 6 vol% N,, plus 500 ppm SO,
Three tests, two with AC3 and one with AC4, used 4 vol% 0,. 96 vol% N,, plus 500 ppm SO,
and 50 ppm HCI as the simulated flue gas
EPA Method IOlA (3) was applied to the filter assembly influent and effluent simulated gas streams
during one test with the AC5 (iodated carbon) in the presence of 0, + SO,. This test was performed
to quantify total mercury removal by the carbon and to compare the result against the general trend of
the ultraviolet analyzer output. Further, the test was applied to assess if elemental mercury was being
converted to an oxidized form in the presence of AC5, and thus not adsorbed by the carbon or detected
by the ultraviolet analyzer, but collected by the permanganate solution of EPA Method IOIA.
Similarly, EPA draft Method 29 (4) was applied to the filter effluent scream in the single test with the
AC4 (chemically activated bituminous coal) in the presence of 0, + SO, + HCI. Similarly to the test
with AC5, this test was applied to assess if elemental mercury was being converted to oxidized andlor
chloride forms in the presence of AC4. With this test, chloride forms of mercury would be collected in
the peroxide solution.
The test duration for each EPA method was one half-hour. The EPA Method lOlA permanganate
solution and draft Method 29 peroxide and permanganate solutions were analyzed by cold-vapor atomic
adsorption using a Leeman Labs PS200 automated mercury analyzer.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The effluent gas from the filter assembly was monitored for < 100% mercury capture and 0% mercury
capture (breakthrough). Adsorption curves, which show the mercury removal efficiency as a function of
gas-sorbent contact time, are presented in Figures 2 and 3 for tests conducted with 0 and 4 ~ 0 1%0, .
respectively.
Tests at 0 vol% 0, indicated that ACI and AC3 each exhibited an instantaneous lowering of Hg" removal
efficiency to 46% and 10%. respectively. Breakthrough with these respective carbons was achieved in
approximately 4 and 24 minutes. The AC2 exhibited a slower loss of mercury removal efficacy,
achieving breakthrough in approximately 30 minutes. Tests with 4 ~ 0 1%O 2 indicated that ACI. AC2.
and AC3 showed similar instantaneous losses of mercury removal efficiency but with more rapid
attainment of breakthrough, 0.5, 18, and 10.5 minutes, respectively, than tests without oxygen. The
AC4, first used in tests with 02.ex hibited superior mercury removal efficiency relative to the AC1. Ac2,
and AC3 sorbents, achieving breakthrough after 94 minutes.
834
The AC5 icdated carbon appeared to be vastly superior to the other carbons in tests with and without 0,.
The baseline analyzer output indicates that elemental mercury was 100% adsorbed when using 0 vol%
oxygen after over 20 hours; a replicate test produced identical results. As was observed with AC5 in
tests without O,, elemental mercury was 100% adsorbed even after 112 minutes, a test duration almost
20 minutes longer than the next most effective sorbent.
The addition of SO, appeared to have a selective influence on mercury removal efficiency relative to that
Of 0,. A plot of the sorbent contactor effluent gas mercury concentration is shown in Figure 4 for tests
performed using 4 ~ 0 1%0 , and 500 ppm SO, combined. Trends are similar to those from tests
performed without SO, in that ACl and AC2 are the least effective sorbents, showing an instantaneous
loss in removal efficiency and the most rapid attainment of breakthrough. Similarly to tests without SO2,
AC5 (iodated carbon) retained essentially 100% removal efficiency. However, AC3 showed a slower
loss of effectiveness relative to ACI and AC?, with a breakthrough time 50% longer than that with AC2.
The EPA Method lOlA test using AC5 indicated that elemental mercury was removed by this carbon at
a high level of effectiveness. The mass concentration of mercury in the effluent and influent
permanganate solutions, 78 pg and 0.2 pg per one-half liter, respectively, indicated that mercury removal
was over 99 wt%, agreeing well with analyzer output data. However, the sorption data or its analyses
do not provide evidence of any conversion of mercury to oxidized form.
The results of tests performed with AC3 and AC4 using 50 ppm HCI indicated evidence of interaction
or reactions that enhance mercury removal efficiency. A monitoring plot of effluent gas mercury
concentration as a function of gas contact time (or total mercury flowed) is presented in Figure 5 for a
test performed with AC3. The sawtooth curve shows the change in mercury concentration, and
presumably mercury removal efficiency, effected by starting and stopping the HCI gas flow. The straight
baseline, which indicated nearly 100% mercury removal with flowing HCI, contrasts with the curve for
AC3 in Figure 4, generated without HCI. During the periods without HCI injection, the mercury
concentration curve exhibited a similar, slow degradation in mercury removal as seen in Figure 4. Upon
injection of HCI, the return to essentially 100% mercury removal was immediate.
A replicate test with AC3 and a single test with AC4 using 50 ppm HCI produced similar results. The
EPA (draft) Method 29 with AC4 showed that elemental mercury was removed at a high level of
effectiveness. The mass concentration of mercury in the effluent peroxide and permanganate solutions,
0.3 and 1.9 pg per one-half liter, indicated that mercury removal was over 97 wt%, agreeing with the
analyzer output. The quantitation of mercury in the peroxide trap funher suggests that chloride forms
of mercury were produced, and, as such, were removed by the AC4.
CONCLUSIONS
The AC5 (iodated) activated carbon appeared to be the consistently superior sorbent regardless of the
simulated flue gas atmosphere; ACI (chemically activated hardwood) was consistently the least effective.
Adding Oz at 4 ~ 0 1%ap parently reduced the effectiveness of all carbons except the iodated carbon. The
effect of adding SOz. however, appeared to more selective, increasing the effectiveness of the sulfurimpregnated
carbon relative to the other carbons. Adding HCI at 50 ppm had the apparent effect of
enhancing the mercury removal efficiency of the sulfur-impregnated and chemically activated bituminous
coals to a level comparable to the iodated carbon.
REFERENCES
1. Lead, Mercury, Cadmium. and Arsenic in the Environment; Hutchinson, T.C.; Meema, K.M., Eds.;
2. Hall, B.; Schager, P.; Lindquist, 0. "Chemical Reactions of Mercury in Combustion Flue Gases,"
J. Wiley: Chichester. 1987.
Water, Air, and Soil Pollution 1991, 56, 3-14.
3. Method IOlA - Determination of Particulate and Gaseous Mercury Emissions from Sewage Sludge
Incinerators; EMTIC EPA, April 12, 1991.
4. Method 29 - Determination of Metals Emissions from Stationary Sources; Federal Register, Vol. 56,
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The authors wish to acknowledge the assistance of the U.S. Department of Energy Morgantown Energy
Technology Center, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Energy & Environmental Research
Center's (EERC) Center for Air Toxic Metals, as well as Mr. Grant Schelkoph and Mr. Tim Kujawa of
the EERC.
No. 137, pp. 32705-32720, July 17, 1991. ,
1 835
3
$
.a-,
E W
Hg Metal Permeation Tube EERC MMI IM2.COR
b GkJ ESoxtrebrennat llCy oHnetatcetodr
t
I Heat-Transfer fluid t
I ?
Figure 1. Mercury sorbent test apparatus.
I . . . . I . . . . I . . . . I . . . .
0 15 30 45 60 75 90 105 120
Sorbent Contact Time, min
0 vol% 0,.
Figure 2. Mercury removal efficiency curve,
105 120
Sorbent Contact Time, min
Figure 3. Mercury removal efficiency curve,
4 vol% or
. 836
*I E
m
i
e
.
1
.- I
I g
0
$
f
r
0 E
a
c-
L
. 01
.- I
c
al
C 8
$
f 2
100 -
80 -
60 -
40 -
20 -
ACl AC3 AC4
0 ' I I I I I I I I
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Sorbent Contact Time, min
Figure 4. Comparative effectiveness of activated carbons
for elemental mercury sorption; 4 vol% 02 and
500 ppm S02.
80 -
70 ~
60 -
50 -
40 -
30 -
20 -
10 -
0 20 40 60 80 100 120
Test Duration, min
Figure 5. Mercury sorptisn by sulfur-impregnated steamactivated
bituminous coal (AC3); 4 vol% 02, 500
ppm SOP. 50 ppm HCI.
a31
PRODUCTION OF ACTIVATED CHAR
FOR CLEANING FLUE GAS FROM INCINERATORS
Carl W. Kruse, Anthony A Lizzio, Joseph A DeBarr and Suhhash B. Bhagwat
Illinois State Geological Survey, 615 E. Peabody Dr., Champaign, IL 61820
Keywords: Incinerator flue gas cleaning, activated carbon, dioxins and furans
ABSTRACT
A granular activated coal char suitable for removing dioxins, furans, mercury, particulate matter,
HCI, HF and SO, from incinerator flue gas has been produced from the Colchester (Illinois No. 2)
coal. Tests with 250 kilogram of this adsorbent on flue gas from a commercial incinerator in Europe
demonstrated that its efficiency for removing dioxins and furans was 99.72% to 99.98%. Mercury
concentration in the flue gas after the adsorber was too low to be detected; an el'ficienq for mercury
removal could not be calculated. This adsorbent was produced in three steps from 1 mm by 6.4 mm
coal obtained from a commercial Illinois washing plant. The projected cost for manufacturing the
adsorbent is lower than that of carbon adsorbents commercially available in the United States (U.S.).
The estimated break even cost for the adsorbent from an 80,000 ton/yehr plant is $326/ton with a
20% return on investment and a cash flow for 20 years discounted 20% annually.
INTRODUCTION
The U.S. is expected to follow ;he European lead by imposing low limits for several pollutants from
incinerators. The legal emission limits for European waste incinerators were tightened significantly
in the late 1980's. Current regulations impose a drastic lowering of the emissions of HCI, HF, SO2,
and mercury on all new incinerators (Table 1) [l]. These regulations apply to existing incinerators
in Germany and the Netherlands now, and in Austria by 1996. For the first time emissions of dioxins
and furans have been targeted, and are not to exceed 0.1 ng Toxicity Equivalents (TE)/m3 Standard
Conditions (SC).
An activated carbon process, developed in the 1970's by STEAG AG of Essen, Germany, to
eliminate SO. and reduce NO. emissions, has also shown high removal efficiencies for inorganic and
organic compounds such as HCI, heavy metals, dioxins and furans (Table 2) [l]. The first
commercial plant using STEAGs activated carbon technology (/a/c/t") for cleaning flue gas from
a waste incinerator began operation in 1991. Other medical, hazardous and municipal waste
incinerators with flue gas outputs of 6,500 m3/h SC to 155,000 m3/h SC have been equipped with this
process. Four plants were operating in Europe in 1993 using STEAGs /a/c/t"-process and three
more will be on line cleaning an additional 1.3 MM m3/h by year's end. STEAG has begun licensing
its process in the U.S.
Staff members of the Illinois State Geological Survey (ISGS) became aware in 1993 that a U.S.
supplier of a carbon adsorbent suitable for STEAGs /a/c/tm-process was needed 111. To be
acceptable the adsorbent must pass a NO. self heating test. In this test, the adsorbent is saturated
with nitric oxide and the gas flow is discontinued. The temperature rise due to the heat of reaction
is measured. It is typically related to the surface area. STEAG's European licensees use adsorbent
called German Herdofenkoks that is manufactured from a German brown coal (lignite). This
adsorbent has a surface area less than 300 m'/g (N, BET). Carbons commercially available in the
US. have higher surface areas and are reported to fail this test. Not only this safety problem but
also the prices for U.S. carbons preclude their use in STEAGs once-through process. The
Herdofenkoks adsorbent was reported to sell in Europe for the equivalent of $300(U.S.)/ton in May
1995.
Mild gasification (MG) of Illinois coals and research on the char that accompanies this process have
been active areas of research at the ISGS since the early 1980s [2]. Recent results show that, by
selecting appropriate conditions during MG and following MG with a low temperature (< 475°C)
oxidation step, a high-sulfur Illinois coal that emits more than 5 Ibs SOJMMBtu can be converted
to char that emits less than 2.5 Ibs SOJMMBtu [3,4,5,]. This partial gasification by low temperature
oxidation not only lowers the sulfur content but also activates the chars providing a product that has
as much as 300 mz/g N, BET surface area [6]. These results encouraged ISGS researchers to believe
an adsorbent satisfactory for a STEAG /a/cit" type process could be produced from an Illinois coal
without the extensive cleaning to remove ash, extensive preoxidation times ("baking") and the
bnquetting that are a part of costly steps required to make high surface area activated carbon.
EXPERIMENTAL
-Coal
Freeman United Coal Company has a size consist of zero by 6.4 mm at one point in its plant that
cleans the Colchester seam coal mined near Industry, Illinois. Twelve barrels of this size consist was
made available by Freeman United Coal Company for the work described herein. It was spread at
about two to four inches depth on the floor to dry overnight before removing the minus 16 mesh (<
1 mm) material by screening. A typical analysis for the Colchester coal appears in Table 4.
h-uioment
Pound quantities of activated char were produced in a Model RT-472-104c ontinuous feed rotary
tube kiln (CFRK), manufactured by the Pereny Equipment Company, Inc., of Columbus, Ohio. The
CFRK consists of a 10.2 cm ID, 1.83 m long rotating tube of HX alloy. The center portion of the
tube (1.4 m) is heated by three separate electrically heated furnaces. The sample is introduced into
the tube using a screw type feeder.
838
A continuous feed ehamng oven (CFCO) was also used in the pyrolysis step because it was better
suited to handle large amounts of tar evolved in longer runs. The coal sample was conveyed through
a 15.2 cm x 15.2 cm x 69 cm oven on a belt of close-fitting, overlapping, stainless-steel trays (12.7
cm wide) attached to links of a chain drive and heated above and below by tubular electric heating
elements. A hopper that controls the bed depth fills the trays as they enter the oven. Evolved gases
are removed counter to the direction of the coal and are drawn out an exhaust pipe where volatile
materials are burned before being released into the fume hood. All areas outside the heating mne
are enclosed in a reasonably tight sheet-metal housing which may be purged with nitrogen to exclude
air and avoid loss of char due to burning. Chars were prepared in the CFCO using feed rates of 1-4
pounds per hour, bed depths of 8-20 mm, temperatures of 400-500°C and residence times of 0.25-
0.75 h.
A 50 cm LD. x 1.22 m long (19.5" x 4') (active heated length), stainless steel shell, batch rotary kiln
(BRK) manufactured by AMs was heated by natural gas burners. It had internal material bed
disturbers, bed and gas thermocouples, system thermocouples, and off-gas combustion chamber.
Nitrogen or steam purging and a nitrogen cooled sampling probe were available. The maximum
operating temperature was 1OOO"C. A 10% loading required 0.83 cubic feet of coal.
A 20 cm x 0.91 m (8x36") continuous feed rotary kiln (CFRK) was heated by 7 gas burners
monitored by three external and two internal thermocouples. The feeder was an AMs fashioned
volumetric belt that fed 13.2-15.4 kg (6-7#/h) and the cooler a 35.5 cm x 2.29 m long (14" x 7.5') kiln.
The off-gas combustor was the one described for the BRK
A 48 cm x 3 m (18x10), indirect fired, continuous feed rotary kiln (CFRK) had a variable rotational
speed, adjustable slope and a high velocity pulsating burner system (4 burners in the first two zones,
3 in the last zone). The Inconel 601 shell, No. 10 gage thickness, had six 2.54 cm high anti-slide bars.
Auxiliary equipment included a 38 cm x 3.7 m (lS'x12') rotary cooler (direct air or indirect water),
secondary combustion chamber, and a 24 point continuous data logger. This CFRK could
accommodate about 200 kgb (9O#/h) feed rate.
Single-point BET surface areas of prepared chars were determined from N, (77 K) adsorption data
obtained a t a relative pressure (PP,)of 0.30 with a Monosorb flow apparatus (Quantachrome
Corporation).
The kinetics of SO, adsorption on selected chars was determined using a Cahn TG-131
thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) system. In a typical run, a 30-50 mg char sample was placed in
a platinum pan and heated at 20"C/min to 120°C in flowing nitrogen. Once the temperature
stabilized, the nitrogen flow was switched to one containing 5% O2 10% HzO and the balance
nitrogen. Once the weight stabilized, the Solwas added in concentrations representative of a typical
flue gas (e.g. 2500 ppmv SOz). The weight gain versus time was recorded by a computerized data
acquisition system.
DISCUSSION OF RESULTS
Colchester coal, a high volatile C bituminous coal with a free swelling index of 3 or more, swells,
melts, and agglomerates while being charred if it has not been air oxidized. An oxidation step was
necessary (1) to maintain approximately the same particle size in the final product as that existing
in the 1 mm by 6.4 mm starting material and (2) to retain sufficient initial pore structure to produce
the porosity needed in the final product by partial gasification of the char. Surface area is difficult
to develop if coal has passed through a melting stage, but loss of particle strength occurs if too much
preoxidation occurs. To achieve the desired result in as short a residence time as practical, as high
an air oxidation temperature as possible was selected while allowing a margin of safety in avoiding
a loss of control due to burning. Conditions of time and temperature during oxidation were selected
that gave a preoxidized coal that could be pyrolyzed at 450 to 500°C to provide char that could be
activated at 850°C in CO, to increase surface area to 150-250 m2/g (N, BET)(Tahle 3) [7,8].
Observe that decreasing the amount of oxidation either by lowering the temperature or decreasing
the time resulted in less surface area. The selection of carbon dioxide for developing added porosity
at 850°C was influenced by previous experience [9]. This gas provided a flexibility in temperature
control not available with steam.
After demonstrating the three-step preparation (preoxidation, pyrolysis and activation) at the ISGS,
Allis Mineral Systems (AMs)w as engaged to scale up production in equipment located at its Process
Research and Test Center in Oak Creek, Wisconsin [lo]. The first successful production level at
Oak Creek was preoxidation in a 50 cm diameter batch rotary kiln (BRK) with pyrolysis and
activation in a 20 cm CFRK. The largest scale production of adsorbent at Oak Creek involved
performing all three steps in succession in the 48 cm diameter CFRK which accommodated a feed
rate as high as 90 Ibs/h. An attempt to conduct all three steps in the batch kiln was unsuccessful;
the tar was not removed at a rate sufficient to avoid agglomeration. The importance of removing
volatile components as quickly as possible was reinforced during the transition from the preoxidation
step to the pyrolysis step in the 48 cm CFRK About 90 pounds of preoxidized coal remained in the
kiln when the kiln temperature was increased rapidly to the pyrolysis temperature. Some
agglomeration occurred which may have approached 7 wt% of the final product.
The Oak Creek kilns had dams at the exit end that maintained a bed occupying 10% of the cross
sectional area. The ISGS kiln did not have a dam and the bed occupied considerably less than 10%
of the cross sectional area. The thicker bed depth decreased the amount of solids exposed to
839
reaction gas in the preoxidation and activation steps. This meant that each progression to a larger
kiln required more time to achieve equivalent products.
A comparison of properties of the German Herdofenkoks and the ISGS Colchester adsorbent is
presented in Table 5. The lower density of the ISGS Colchester adsorbent reflects a lower level of
preoxidation than ideal (some swelling). The lower surface area, 110 m2/g, than those obtained in
the lab scale of operation, 151-236 m*/g (Table 3) reflect a combination of less preoxidation and less
activation in the larger kiln. The SO, adsorption profiles shown in Figure 1 confirm that the scale
up fell short of reaching the full potential of SO, capacity possible with Colchester coal.
Additionally, this profile shows a much higher rate of SO, adsorption in the first few hours. The
initial SO, uptake is best correlated with active sites, those responsible for the oxidation of SO, to
SO3 [ll]. Another factor to be considered in the difference in filling rate is the pore structure.
There is reason to believe that the pore structure of the Colchester adsorbent differs significantly
from that of the Herdofenkoks adsorbent [ I l l . It remains to be shown how much of this difference
in SO, adsorption behavior is due to active sites and how much is related to a special network
geometry in which outer macro pores feed into interior micro pores. Of practical importance for
use in a STEAG /a/c/t”-process, is the lower rate of uptake of nitric oxide (Figure 2) by the ISGS
Colchester adsorbent.
The preliminary effort to establish a beak even cost was based on the flow diagram shown in Figure
3. While the estimate of $326/ton (Table 7) for product Cram an 80,000 tonlyear plant is very
preliminary, it is encouraging for at least one reason. The flow diagram does not reflect economies
in residence time under conditions of better gasholid contact that are known to accompany the use
of modified kilns or other types of equipment. The data (Table 6) in STEAGs pilot scale adsorber,
including passing the NO. self heating test (not shown), qualify this material for use in STEAGs
/a/c/tm-process.
CONCLUSIONS
Research has demonstrated that Colchester (Illinois No. 2) coal is a promising feedstock for
producing an activated char adsorbent for removing pollutants from incinerator flue gas. Not only
are the properties of this adsorbent those desired, its estimated break even cost in a dedicated
commercial facility, $326/ton, could make it highly competitive for use in cleaning incinerator flue
gas in the US. The ISGS Colchester adsorbent is the first adsorbent to be made in the US. from
a domestic coal that meets requirements of the STFAG /a/c/t”-process.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT & DISCLAIMER
This report was prepared by Carl Kruse of the ISGS with support, in part, by grants made possible by US.
Department of Energy (DOE) Coopcrative Agreement Number DE-FC22-92PC92521 and the Illinois Coal
Dcvelopment Board (ICDB) and the Illinois Clean Coal Institute (ICCI) and managed by F.I. Honea and H.
Feldmann. Neither Carl Kruse and the ISGS nor any of its subcontractors nor thc US. DOE, Illinois
Department of Energy & Natural Resources, ICDB, ICCI, nor any person acting on behalf of either assumes
any Liabilities with respect to the use of, or for damages resulting from the use of, any information, apparatus,
method or process disclosed in this report. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not
necessarily state or reflect those of the US. Department of Energy. Information provided by Ray Kucik and
John Lees of Allis Mineral Systems and Dick Eggers and Dennis Dare of Illinois Power Company were used
in the preliminary cost estimate. Laboratory assistance by Gwen Donnals, and conversations with Massoud
Rostam-Abadi of the ISGS were most helpful.
REFERENCES
1. Brueggendick, H. 1993 Operating Erperience Wth STEAG’J Activated Carbon Processes - lalc/tm - in
European Waste Incineration Plants Proceedings of the Tenth Annual International Pittsburgh Coal
Conference, Pittsburgh, PA, September 20-24, 1993 pp 787-794.
Kruse, C.W. and N.F. Shimp 1981 Removal of manic Sulfur by Low-temperature Carbonization of Illinois
Conk Coal Processing Tech. 7 pp 124-134.
Alvin, M.A, D.H. Archer and M.M. Ahmed 1987 Pyr0tysi.s of Coal for Production of Low-mlfur Fuel
EPRI Final Report AD-5W5, Project No. 2051-2.
Hackley, KC, R.R. Frost, C-L. Liu, S.J. Hawk and D.D. Coleman 1990 Srudy of Sulfur Behavior and
Removal During Thermal Demlfirization of Illinois Coals Illinois State Geol. Survey Circ. #545.
DeBarr, J.A, M. Rostam-Abadi, R.D. Harvey, C. Feizoulof, S. A Benson, and D.L. Toman 1991
Reactivity and Combuslion Propenies of Coal-char Blend Fuels Final Technical Report to the Center for
Research on Sulfur in Coal. September, 1991.
DeBarr, J.A 1993 Integrated Methods for Production of Clean Char and Its Combustion Pmpmies Final
Technical Report to the Illinois Clean Coal Institute for September 1, 1992, through December 31,19m.
Lizzio, AA, J.A DeBarr and C.W. Kruse 1995 Development of Low Surface Area Char for Cleanup of
Incinerator Flue Gas Abstract of papers at 22nd Biennial Conference on Carbon, The University of
California at San Diego, July 16-21.
Lizzio, AA, J.A DeBarr, C.W. Kruse, M. Rostam-Abadi, G.L. Donnak, and M.J. Rood 1994 production
and Use of Activated Char for Combined S02/NOz Removal Final Technical Report to the IUinois Clean
Coal Institute.
9. Lizzio, AA 1990 The Concept of Reactive Surface Area Applied to Uncatatyed and Catalyzed Carbon
(Char) Gasification in Carbon Dwxide and Oxygen Ph.D. Thesis, The Pennsylvania State University.
10. Kruse, C.W., AA Lizzio, M. Rostam-Abadi, J.A DeBarr, J.M. Lytle, S.B Bhagwat 1995 Producing
Activated Char for Cleaning Flue Gasfmm Incinerarors Final Technical Report to the Illinois Clean Coal
Institute.
11. DeBarr, J.A 1995 The Role of Free Sites in the Removul ofS02from Simulated Flue Gasses by Activated
Char M.S. Thesis, The University of Illinois, Urbana.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
840
Table 1. Emission Limits for European Waste Incinerators [l]
Germany Netherlands Austria
One day One hour
mean values mean values mean values
Half hour
~ ~~
10 5 15
10 10 10
50 40 so
2001 70 100
1 1 0.7
0.05 0.05 0.05
0.1 0.1 0.1
~
Federal standards, local standards generally at 100 mg/m'
Table 2. Experience with STEAGs /a/c/tP-Process [l]
Medical Medical Hazardous
Waste Waste Waste
Incinerator Incinerator Incinerator
Germany Netherlands Netherlands
Total Dust (mg/m') < 2 1 < 0.5
HCI (mg/m') < 1 < 2.2 < 0.19
HF (mg/m3) < 0.05 < 0.05 < 0.05
SO, (mdm') < 2 < 0.6 < 6
NO. (mg/m') 65 3431 177l
Hg (mg/m') < 0.01 < 0.00031 < 0.002
Dioxins & Furans (ng TE/m') 0.003 0.00031 0.002
Not equipped with SCR
Table 3. Lab Scale Adsorbent Preparation at the ISGS
/
Run Preoxidation
# in the CFRK
11 Air,3WaC,2h
12 Air, 280°C, 0.5 h
13 Air, 330"C, 0.75 h
14 Air, 22O"C, 0.75 h
15 Air, 220'C, 1.5 h
16 Air, 22O"C, 0.75 h
PvTOlvSis
Activation Surface Area
in the CFRK Nz BET (m*/g)
CFRK, C02, 450"C, 1 h
CFRK, Nz, 410"C, 0.5 h
CFRK, COz, 475"C, 1 h
CFRK, COz, 475"C, 1 h
CFCO, N2, 475'C, 0.75 h
CFCO, N2, 475'C. 0.75 h
coz, 850"C, 1 h 235
coz, 850"C, 1 h 151
cox, 850°C 1 h 236
coz, 850'C, 1 h 179
CO,, 850"C, 0.75 h 230
Coz, 850°C. 0.75 h 180
J
I
Table 4. Typical Analysis
Colchester Coal
Moisture 14.4%
Vol. Matter 39.9%
Fixed Carbon 53.3%
H-T Ash 6.8%
Carbon 74.3%
Nitrogen 1.4%
oxygen 8.9%
Total Sulfur 3.3%
Sulfatic 0.1%
Pyritic 2.2%
Organic 1.1%
Btdb 13,645
Hydrogen 5.3%
FSI 3.8%
Table 5. Comparison of Properties
(Yield: 48% [277 kg from 581 kg coal])
German ISGSIAMS
Herdofenkoks Colchester
Property sorbent sorbent
Bulk density
lbslft (kg/m3) 29.8 (413) 23.8 (378)
PROXIMATE
(moisture free)
Hi-Temp. Ash, wt% 8.68 8.27
Fixed Carbon, wt% 83.61 86.98
Volatile Matter, wt% 7.71 4.74
N1 BET Surface Area, m'/g 277 110
4 841
Table 6. Results of Testing ISGS Colchester Adsorbent in STEAG's Test Module
Before After Adsorption
Reactor Reactor Efficiency
Total Dioxins & Furans
Test 1 (ng/m3)
Test 2 (ng/m3)
Test 3 (ng/m3)
Cd+Ti
Test 1 (mg/m3)
Test 2 (mg/m3)
Test 3 (.me_/m') .
kt2
Test 1 (mg/m3)
Test 2 (melm3)
Test 3 (mg/m3j
Sb. As. Pb. CI. Co. Cu. Mn. N. V. Sn
Test 1 (me/m3)
Test 2 (mg/m3)
Test 3 (mg/m3)
333.3
337.9
282.3
0.0140
0.0062
0.0052
0.0177
0.0384
0.0223
0.2698
0.0805
0.0634
0.062
0.052
0.789
0.0012
0.m12
0.ooo4
below det. limit
below del. limit
below det. limit
0.0744
0.0347
0.0185
Table 7. Estimated Break Even Cost in an 80,000 TonNear Plant'
99.98 %
99.98 %
99.72 %
91 %
81 %
92%
72 %
57 %
71 %
Land purchase price (S)
Building cost ($)*
Equipment (S)*
Installation (S)
Carbon production (S)
Percent yield
Coal input (Uyr)
Coal price f.0.b. mine,
Coal transportation cost (Ut)
sized 1 mm by 6.4 mm (Ut)
1m,000
5,000,000
16,000,000
8,500,wO
80,ooo
45
177,778
34
8
Cast of coal (S/y)
Cost of Natural Gas ($&)
Cast of Electricity ($/y)
Cost of lime (to neutralize 502)
Water (2.45MM gal @ SI/Mgal)
Labor cost
Maintenance cost (5% of $2lMM)3
Real estate taxes ($)
BREAK EVEN COST(S/ton)'
7,466,667
2,626,000
526,000
300,000
2,450
1,540,000
1,050,flW
153,000
326
' Assume it takes one year to construct the plant, and
the plant produces a1 design capacity thereafter.
Depreciation (7 Yr st. line) on S21MM.
b 0)
Figure 1. SO2 Adsorption
' Operaling Msts are raised 3% per year. ' Inlerest an undepreciatcd value at 20%&r, net present
value at 24l% discount rale, 20 years of operation.
OXIDATION
2500 C max
2 hr reoldonce Umo
I I I
STACK
AIR +
3 10 3.0 wt X oxygen
on coal
(molsmre h e )
Bulk denolty: 9298 Ib/cu R
PRODUCT
1 mm by 0.4 mm
PYROLVS S h ACTIVATION
2 hi nsldonce l l m(~to tal)
Zono 1: 376 - 46dC Zone 2 826-878C
ACTIVATED CARBON
46% Yleld 6816ulated COOLER
(mm molelun h e coal
Bulk denslty: 26-30 lblw it
mlnus 1 mm mmerlcd
Figure 3. Flow Diagram for a Plant Producing Adsorbent from Colchcster (Illinois No. 2) Coal
842
PILOT PLANT STUDY OF MERCURY CONTROL IN FLUE 6AS FROH COAL-FIRED BOILERS
Joseph T. Maskew, William A. Rosenhoover, Mark R. Stouffer,
Francis R. Vargo and Jeffrey A. Withum
CONSOL Inc.
Research a Development
4000 Brownsville Road
library, PA 15129
Keywords:
BACKGROUND
Mercury control technology options for coal-fired boilers are ill-defined.
Commercial development of mercury emissions control technologies has centered on
high concentrations of mercury compared to the levels present in the flue gas
from coal combustion, typically 5 to 10 pg/m3. In addition, most mercury in
these commercial applications (medical waste and municipal sol id waste incinerators)
1*2,’0 is in the form of HgC1,; flue gas from coal-fired units contains both
ionic and elemental mercury. Reaction mechanisms may be different for these two
species. Development work at the lower concentrations has centered on small
scale, fixed-bed, laboratory s t u d i e ~ . ~ * ~ *Re’c~e nt tests at coal combustion
sources with sorbents such as and activated carbon4 have shown some
mercury removal. However, neither the laboratory nor combustion tests completely
address process design issues. In the laboratory studies, the actual process
conditions are very different from those with coal; while in the combustion
tests, it is difficult to vary the conditions. In addition, data reliability is
poor because of the difficulty of mercury sampling and analysis.
Mercury control, coal-fired boilers, flue gas analysis
Development of mercury control technology for coal-fired flue gas requires:
1. Accurate and reliable sampling and analytical techniques, including
speciation o f mercury,
2. A thorough understanding of the effects of the combustion conditions and of
the speciation of mercury on mercury removal,
3. Identification of sorbents and process configurations for removal of
mercury at the low levels present in coal-fired flue gas, and
4. Waste management studies and economic evaluation of control technologies.
Each of these factors is important in developing a process to control mercury
emissions. To this end, a 0.2 MWe equivalent, continuous flow pilot plant was
constructed at CONSOL R&D to evaluate the efficiency and cost of sorbent
injection technology for mercury control, and to verify mercury sampling and
analysis techniques.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FACILITY
The 0.22 Nm3/s (500 scfm) pilot plant i s of sufficient size to provide a
realistic process simulation while maintaining the capability to study the effect
of potentially important variables such as sorbent/flue gas residence time, fly
ash loading, and mass transport phenomena. It provides accurate and independent
control of key process variables, including mercury concentration and speciation.
The flue gas mercury concentration can be varied between 2 and 20 pg/m’, a range
typical of coal combustion. By adding actual coal fly ash, the physical and
chemical fly ash/ sorbent interactions are realistically simulated. Because the
pilot plant is a flow system, the mass transfer conditions, temperature/time
history, and gas/solid interactions can be varied to simulate conditions in a
coal-fired power plant.
The sorbent injection pilot plant accurately simulates flue gas downstream of the
air preheater in a coal-fired boiler. The plant was designed to simulate a wide
range of site-specific conditions by burning natural gas and by injecting the
deficient components such as fly ash, CO , SO, and mercury compounds. Independent
control of the temperature (38-265 ‘C, 100-400 O F ) , humidity, sorbent
injection and sorbent recycle rate is maintained. The pilot plant was proven to
be a reliable, accurate tool for desulfurization studies when its results for the
Coolside processlwre scaled up to a 105 MWe demonstration at the Ohio Edison
Edgewater plant.
Figure 1 is a schematic of the 0.22 Nd/s (500) scfm sorbent injection pilot
plant. Originally used in the development of the Coolside and Advanced Coolside
desulfurization p r o ~ e s s e s , ’i~t was modified for mercury control studies. The
plant consists Of a flue gas generation system, a flue gas conditioner for
temperature and humidity control, a mercury spiking system, fly ash and sorbent
injection systems, a sorbent recycle system, flue gas duct work, particulate
removal systems (cyclones and a baghouse), a waste handling system, and flue gas
843
analysis systems. The p i l o t plant provides accurate and independent control of
flue gas temperature and composition. Accurate control o f mercury concentration
and speciation i n the simulated f l u e gas i s maintained independently of the bulk
f l u e gas composition. The feed and effluent sorbent streams and f l u e gas stream
can be sampled. The p i l o t plant i s instrumented and automated for. process
control and data c o l l e c t i o n . A natural gas combustor, a steam i n j e c t i o n system
and the f l u e gas conditioner are used t o control f l u e gas humidity and
temperature independently. Control loops on these systems allow f l u e gas
temperature t o be maintained automatically between 38 and 205 'C w i t h i n i0.5 'C
(100 and 400 'F w i t h i n i1 'F) and the approach to adiabatic saturation t o be
controlled w i t h i n i0.5 'C (tl O F ) .
The feed system for elemental mercury consists o f mercury-containing permeation
tubes, a constant temperature bath and an i n e r t c a r r i e r gas. The tubes are
commercially available, and are an accurate, reproducible method f o r feeding
mercury. The temperature of the tubes i s controlled to w i t h i n iO.01 'C
(f0.02 'F) by a constant temperature bath. The permeation rate f o r the tubes i s
calibrated by weighing the tubes over a known period. I n long-term tests, weight
loss o f the tubes i s used t o v e r i f y the mercury material balance. Mercuric
chloride i s fed by a separate, similar subsystem. Similar calibrations were
carried out on the HgC1, feed system. t o the flue gas
independently, the amount and speciation of mercury are controfled to w i t h i n 5%.
The solids are collected using a cyclone or a baghouse. The sorbent collected
by the cyclone i s almost instantaneously removed from contact with the flue gas
stream. This allows solids t o be collected a f t e r a short, well-controlled
contact time with the f l u e gas (1-3 sec). With two p a r a l l e l p a r t i c u l a t e
collecting devices, in-duct removal can be measured separately from baghouse
removal. The in-duct mercury removal allows estimation of the Hg removal i n an
ESP-equipped unit.
Recycling the flue gas reduces reagent costs and assists i n maintaining a
consistent f l u e gas composition. A large fixed-bed carbon f i l t e r prevents
recycle o f Hgo or HgC1, not removed by the sorbent.
For a l l the f l u e gas sampling t e s t s , the simulated flue gas contained 1000 ppmv
SO, 10% 0, and 1% CO, and had a saturation temperature o f 52 'C (125 'FJ.
The flue gas flow was accurately controlled and monitored with a thermal
dispersion mass flowmeter, and checked by standard manual procedures ( p i t o t
tube/differential pressure gauge). The gas sampling was conducted in a section
o f the p i l o t plant duct located approximately 16.8 m (55 ft) downstream o f the
mercury i n j e c t i o n point. There are a gas d i s t r i b u t i o n plate in the duct j u s t
downstream o f the i n j e c t i o n point and several direction changes o f the f l u e gas
(90' bends) p r i o r t o sampling t o d i s t r i b u t e mercury i n the flue gas.
TEST PROGRAI
I n i t i a l ODerations
V e r i f i c a t i o n and, i f necessary, improvement of sampl ing/analytical techniques i s
the f i r s t task i n the experimental program. Accuracy and r e l i a b i l i t y are
c r i t i c a l f o r measuring flue gas mercury concentration, f o r determining speciation,
t o provide r e l i a b l e data for process development, and f o r scale-up to
commercial application. Because the mercury concentration and speciation are
accurately controlled i n the p i l o t plant, any error i n the sampling/analytical
methods can be determined.
Sorbent Evaluation/OeveloDment
I d e n t i f i c a t i o n of an inexpensive, effective sorbent i s a primary objective of
this work. Understanding the effects of temperature, humidity and mercury
speciation on sorbent performance i s c r i t i c a l f o r designing a viable process.
To achieve this, s t a t i s t i c a l l y designed screening tests w i l l be performed on each
candidate sorbent. For candidate sorbents, s i g n i f i c a n t process variables w i l l
be explored i n more d e t a i l . Steady-state t e s t s , with sorbent recycle, w i l l be
made with the most cost-effective sorbents. These runs w i l l l a s t two to three
days, u n t i l steady-state conditions are demonstrated by sol i d analysis.
By adding Hg' and HgCl
Waste Wanaaement Studies
Several important technical issues involve waste management. These include
mercury leaching, r e v o l a t i l i z a t i o n and the impact o f mercurv on ash u t i l i z a t i o n .
However, u t i l i z a t i o n o f s o l i d waste i s preferable t o dispoG1 and can accelerate
commercialization. The program w i l l evaluate options f o r waste u t i l i z a t i o n , with
emphasis on the high volume use o f the material i n construction. A successful
approach t o eliminate or reduce the need f o r waste disposal represents a
substantial improvement i n the state o f sorbent injection processes.
Economics
Engineering and economic studies w i l l be conducted to determine the f e a s i b i l i t y
o f process operations. Sorbent i n j e c t i o n processes have inherently low capital
costs; therefore, sorbent cost i s a key issue. Hydrated l i m e may be e f f e c t i v e
a44
for removing Some ionic mercury and is low in cost; however it may not be
effective in removing elemental Hg. High surface area activated carbons are
expensive ($0.50-0.80/kg ($450-1000/ton)), and chemically impregnated sorbents
are even more expensive by a factor of five. The minimum amount of sorbent
required is not known and likely will vary among applications. The potential of
recycle to increase sorbent utilization also will be addressed. lntegration of
FercurY control with other flue gas treatment systems represents a significant
improvement in the process economics. Process economic studies also will allow
research to focus on areas of the most potential benefit to process economics.
INITIAL RESULTS
Mercury Feed s tern
Calibration ofYshe elemental mercury (Hg') and mercuric chloride (HgC1,) feed
System showed a high degree of accuracy and precision. In replicate tests of
weight loss vs time, the variation from the amount of Hg' or HgC1, fed at a
particular calibration condition was &4% or less for Hg and i6% for HgC1,.
Figure 2 shows the Hg' calibration data. In these tests, the weight loss of
several of the commercially available Hg' permeation tubes was measured as a
function of temperature. In these calibration tests, emphasis was placed on 110
and 114 'C, the typical temperatures of the Hg' feed system pilot plant operations.
Six calibration runs were made at each of these two temperatures.
Similar precision was obtained in the calibration of the HgC1, feed subsystem.
Figure 3 shows the amount of HgC1, evolved at three different calibration
conditions. The data represent four to six replicate tests at each calibration
condition.
i- made in which Hg' and/or HgCl were added to the
pilot plant flue gas, and the gas sampled using EPA Method 28, followed by cold
vapor atomic absorption (CVAA) analysis of the impingers solutions.14 The fluegas
mercury concentration in these tests was 4 to 24 pg/m3, typical of concentrations
found downstream of a coal-fired boiler. Figure 4 shows that in tests with
only Hg' addition, there was very good agreement between the Method 29 gas
sampling/analysis results and the amount of Hgo fed to the flue gas via the feed
system. The mercury concentration in the flue gas based on Method 29 results was
10 to 12.5 pg/n?, compared to 9 to 9.5 pg/d based on feed system calibration.
In the HgC1, tests, the flue gas mercury concentration based on sampl ing/analysis
was, on average, 30% lower than that based on the feed system calibration
(Figure 4 and Table I). It appears that the ionic mercury present in the pilot
plant flue gas was not entirely recovered and/or detected by the Method 29
sampling train and analytical procedures. The accuracy of the mercury feed rates
were further confirmed by injecting a large excess of activated carbon at low
temperature (c93 'C or 200 'F), and measuring the mercury captured by analysis
of the sorbent recovered from the baghouse.
Table 1 shows that the ionic mercury (HgC1 ) was in general evenly distributed
between the front impingers containing nitr%c acid and peroxide and the back set
of impingers containing permanganate and sulfuric acid. This was true in several
tests in which the mercury concentration in the flue gas was varied. These
results are contrary to reported assumptions that ionic mercury is primarily
captured in the front i m p i n g e r ~ . ~ * ~ ,A"l l the elemental mercury was captured in
the back set of impingers (permanganate), which agrees with reported assumptions.
4'6''1 Additional testing will be done to further investigate mercury
capture and speciation by Method 29.
REFERENCES
lue Gas Sam lin and A alvsis
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Brna, T. G., Kilgroe, J. D., Miller, C. A. "Reducing Mercury Emission from
Municipal Waste Combustion with Carbon Injection into Flue Gas", U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency Report EPA/600/A-92/134, 1992.
Brown, B., Felsvang, K. "Control of Mercury and Dioxin Emissions from
United States and European Municipal Solid Waste Incinerators by Spray
Dryer Absorption Systems", Proceedings, Second A&WMA International
Conference on Municipal Waste Combustion, Tampa, Florida, April 1991,
Brown, B., Felsvang, K. "High SO Removal Dry FGD Systems", Presented at the
1991 SO, Control Symposium, Wasiington, D.C., December 1991.
!hang, R., Bustard, C. D., Schott, G., Hunt, T., Noble, H., Cooper, J.
Pilot Plant Evaluation of Activated Carbon for the Removal of Mercury at
Coal-Fired Utility Power Plants", Presented at the Second International
Conference on Managing Hazardous Air Pollutants, Washington, DC, July 1993.
Felsvang, K., Gleiser, R., Juip,,,G., Nielsen, K. K. "Air Toxics Control by
Spray Dryer Absorption Systems , Presented at the Second International
Conference on Managing Hazardous Air Pollutants, Washington, DC, July 1993.
p. 675-705.
845
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
Felsvang, K.; Gleis:r, R.; Juip, G.; Nielsen, K. K. "Control o f A i r Toxics
by Dry FGD Systems , Proceedings, Power-Gen '92 Conference, Orlando, FL,
November 1992.
Gleiser, R.; Nielsen, K. K.; Felsvang, K. "Control o f Mercury from MSW
Combustor: by Spray Dryer Absorption Systems and Activated Carbon
Injection , Third International Conference On Municipal Waste Combustion,
Williamsburg, VA, March 30-April 1, 1993.
Gullett, B. K. and Jozewicz, W. "Bench-Scale Sorption and Desorption O f
Mercury With Activated Carbon", Third International Conference On Municipal
Waste Combustion, Williamsburg, VA, March 30- A p r i l 1, 1993.
Gullett, E. K. and Krishnan, S. !. "Sorbent I n j e c t i o n For Dioxin/Furan
Prevention and Mercury Control , Multipollutant Sorbent Reactivity
Workshop, Research Triangle Park, NC, July 1994.
kilgroe, J. 0.. Brna, T. G., White, D. M., Kelly, r. E., Stucky, M. J.
Camden County MWC Carbon Injection Test Results , Proceedings, 1993
International Conference on Municipal Waste Combustion, Williamsburg, VA,
March 1993.
Laudal,,,D. L.; M i l l e r , S. J. "Evaluation o f Sorbents f o r Enhanced Mercury
Control , Proceedings, Tenth Annual Coal Preparation, U t i l i z a t i o n , and
Environmental Control Contractors Conference, Pittsburgh, PA, July 1994.
Livengood, C. D.; Huang, H. S.; Wu, 3. M. "Experimental Evaluation of
Sorbents f o r the Capture of Mercury i n Flue Gases", Proceedings, 87th
Annual Meeting o f the A i r & Waste Management Association, Cincinnati, OH,
June 1994.
McCoy, D. C.; Scandrol, R. 0.; Statnick, R;, M.; Stouffer, M. R.; Winschel
R. A.; Withum, J. A.; Wu, M. M.; yoon, H. The Edgewater Coolside Process
Demonstration: A Topical Report , DOE Cooperative Agreement DE-FCZZ-
87PC79798, February 1992.
Nott,"E. R.; Huyck, k. A.; DeWees, W.; Prestbo, E.; Olmez, I ; Tawney, C.
W.; Evaluation and Comparison o f Methods f o r Mercury Measurement in
U t i l i t y Stack Gas", A i r & Waste Management Association, 87th Annual Meeting
and Exhibition, June 19-24, 1994, Cincinnati, OH.
Withum, J. A.; Maskew, J. T.; Rosenhoover, W. A.; Stouffer, M. R.; Wu,
M. M. "Deve1,opment of the Advanced Coolside Sorbent I n j e c t i o n Process f o r
SO Control , Proceedings, 1995 SO, Control Symposium, Miami, FL, March
1955.
TABLE 1. CAPTURE OF ELEMENTAL AND IONIC MERCURY IN METHOD 29 SAMPLING TRAIN
Test
A
B
Mercury Recovered i n Impingers,
% o f Total Mercury Fed
Species Fed KMnOJH$O,
48
34
38
10
38
<4
<4
39
42
24
31
29
134
106
846
/
I
I
I
Figure 1. Schematic of CONSOL Sorbent Injection Pilot Plant
Figure 2. Calibration o f Elemental Figure 3. Calibration of Mercuric
Mercury Feed System. Chloride Feed System.
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24
Flue Gas Mercury by Feed Callbralion pg/m'
Figure 4. Comparison of Flue Gas Mercury Concentration
Based on Method 29, with Concentration Based on
Mercury Feed System Calibration.
841
DEVELOPMENTOFMERCURYCONTROL
TECHNOLOGY FOR COAL-FIRED SYSTEMS
C. David Livengood
Hann S. Huang
Marshall H. Mendelsohn
liann M. Wu
ArgOMe National Laboratory
9700 South Cass Avenue
Argonne, Illinois 60439
Keywords: Toxics, Mercury Control, Coal
INTRODUCTION
The emission of hazardous air pollutants (air toxics) from various indusvial processes has emerged as a
major environmental issue that was singled out for particular attention in the Clean Air Act Amendments
of 1990. In particular, mercury emissions are the subject of several cumnt EPA studies because of
concerns over possible serious effects on human health. Some of those emissions originate in the
combustion of coal, which contains lrace amounts of mercury, and are likely to be the subject of control
requirements in the relatively near future. Data collected by the Department of Energy (DOE) and the
Elecuic Power Research Institute (EPRI) at operating electric-power plants have shown that conventional
flue-gas cleanup (FGC) technologies are not very effective in controlling emissions of mercury in general.
and are particularly poor at controlling emissions of elemental mercury. 7his paper gives an overview
of research being conducted at Argonne National Laboratory on improving the capture of mercury in flue
gas through the use of dry sorbents and/or wet scmbbers.
BACKGROUND
Mercury emissions from coal combustion have been shown to vary considerably from site to site. Those
emissions depend not only on the composition of the coal, but also upon the type of boiler, the operating
conditions, and the FGC system. Mercury belongs to a group of elements/compounds denoted as Class
111. which remain primarily in the vapor phase within the boiler and subsequent FGC system. However,
that state can be influenced by reactions with other elements. such as chlorine, and by fly-ash
characteristics that affect adsorption processes. The concentration of mercury in the flue gas from typical
coal combustors ranges from less than 10 to more than 50 pg/Nm3.
Few reliable data on mercury control have been available for FGC technologies used on coal-fired
systems. Large variations in reported removals have been typical. duc both to differences in coal and
operating characteristics and to inaccuracies in sampling/analytical procedures.' Paniculate-matter
collectors. such as electrostatic precipitators (ESPs) and baghouses. can be effective for mercury control
to !he extent that mercury is adsorbed on the fine particulate matter (fly ash) in the gas stream or is
converted to another chemical form that can be collected as particulate matter. Recent data on mercury
removals for ESPs range from about 15 to 75%. while very limited removal data for baghouses range from
IO up to 70%. Mercury removal in wet flue-gas desulfurization (FGD) systems is also quite variable, with
values ranging from near zero to about 50%? Much of that variation may be caused by differences in the
chemical form of the mercury, inasmuch as the chloride is much more easily captured than the elemental
form. Most available information on mercury conmol technologies for combustion sources has originated
in work with waste incinerators. In such cases, activated carbon has been shown to be an effective sorbent
for mercury. However, flue-gas conditions at incinerators are much different in temperature and
composition than those found at coal-fired utility boilers, and the performance/economics of activated
carbon can be expected to vary as well. In addition, the presence of wet FGD systems at many utility
boilers presents a considerably different set of conditions and problems/opportunities that need to be
evaluated.
RESEARCH PROGRAM
Based on an initial survey of published information, a number of chemical additives and sorbents with the
potential for enhancing the capture of elcmental mercury in dry or wet/dry FGC systems were selected
for laboratory investigation. The study of dry sorbents was chosen for several reasons. Many existing
coal-fired plants have only particulate-matter control, usually in the form of ESPs, and these could be well
suited to duct- or fumace-injeclion of mercury sorbents. Also, European experience with the addition of
sorbentskhemicals to spray-drycr systems on municipal waste incinerators has indicated that greatly
enhand mercury removals arc possible. A more extensive discussion of this research can be found in
Reference 3. The research program also includes investigation of mercury removal in wet scmbbing. The
iniual study found very little information regarding potential performance enhancements for scrubbers
operating on coal-fired systems, although some work has been done for applications in other industries.'
To date. the research has focused on physical modifications designed to improve the absorption of mercury
I
Work suppomd by the US. Depanment of Energy, Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy,
under contract W-31-1 09-ENG-38.
840
by the Scrubber liquid, on the testing of chemical agents selected for their potential to react with mercury.
and On Process modifications designed to combine gas-phase and liquid-phase reactions.
EXPERWENTAL FACILITIES
Argome’s FGC-laboratory facilities include a fixed-bed reactor system for studying dry sorbents. a
COmpkte wet scrubber system. and a spray-dryedfabric-filter system. Supporting facilities include a
system that can provide known concentrations of elemental mercury in a gas stream, a gas-supply system
capable of blending synthetic flue gas from bottled gases, on-line gas-analysis packages. and data loggers.
The following sections briefly describe the key systems. More detailed descriptions of all of the SyStemS
Can be found in References 5 and 6.
Mercury Supply and Analysis
The feed-gas preparation system consists of a mercury-containing permeation tube, a constant-temperature
water bath, and a carrier-gas supply. The design capacity of the system is 20 L/min of gas with mercury
concentrations of up to 100 pg/m’. Mercury measurements are made using a gold-film mercury-vapor
analyzer. The range of the instrument is 0 to 999 pg/m’ with a sensitivity of 3 pg/m’ and an accuracy of
-+ 5% at 100 pg/m’.
Fixed-Bed Reactor
The fixed-bed reactor vessel, which is constructed of glass, is 4 cm in diameter and 14 cm in height. A
glass frit is positioned in the lower section to support materials placed inside the reactor. To avoid
fluidization of the bed materials, the feed gas enters the reactor from the top and exits at the bonom.
During shakedown and baseline tests, the reactor was packed with either silica sand (120 g) or a mixture
of silica sand and hydrated lime (Ca(0H)d in a weight ratio of 40:l. The Ca(0Hk has been employed
because it is a common sorbent for SO2 in FGC systems. The large amount of sand is used to avoid
channeling caused by lime agglomeration. For additive/soltKnt testing. small amounts of material being
studied are added to the sand/Ca(OHk bed material. To maintain a uniform temperature during
experiments. the reactor is immersed in a fluidized-bed, constant-temperature sand bath. To preheat the
incoming feed gas to a temperature equal to that maintained in the fixed-bed reactor, the gas-transfer line
is wrapped with heating tapes.
Wet Scrubber
AU of the principal vessels in the wet-scrubber system are constructed of glass. The scrubber column has
an inside diameter of 7.6 cm and an active height of nearly 53 cm. It is normally operated in a
countercurrent mode with the flue gas entering at the bottom. The scrubber is constructed of several
interchangeable sections so that it can be configured as a flooded column (no intemals). a four-stage disc
and donut column, or an intermediate combination. For most of the experiments described here. the
combination mode was used with the lower part of the column left open to accommodate packing. The
scrubber liquor drains into a holding tank from which it is recirculated to the top of the scrubber. The
temperature of the liquor can be adjusted by heating the holding tank with heat tapes. The pH of the
liquid in the tank is sampled continuously and can be adjusted either manually or automatically by adding
reagent from a chemical feed tank.
EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS
Experiments with Dry SorbentdAdditives
Following initial shakedown tests that verified that neither the sand nor the lime in the fixed bed gave any
measurable mercury removal. a variety of dry sorbents were studied. Various sorbents and chemical
additives for mercury removal have been reponed in the literature. These include activated carbon,
activated carbon impregnated with various chemicals (notably sulfur and iodine), modified zeolites, glass
fibers coated with special chemicals, and pure chemicals (such as sulfur, selenium, and ferrous sulfide and
sulfate). In addition to comparing the performance of different types of sorbents/additives, the research
program has included investigation of the effects of varying process parameters, such as sorbent particle
size, sorbent loading in the reactor, reactor/gas temperature. and mercury concentration.’ For most of the
tests, the amounts of sorbent added ranged from 1 to IO wt% (relative to the lime). Three fixed-bed
reactor temperatures were evaluated: 55.70, and 90°C. Target mercury concentrations in the nitrogen feed
gas of either 44 or 96 pp/m’ were used, and the feed-gas flow rate was fixed at IO L/min.
By far the best removal results in the initial tests were obtained with an activated carbon that was
commercially treated with about 15 wt% sulfur. The success of the sulfur-treated carbon is thought to be
based on a combination of physical adsorption and chemical reactions that produce mercury sulfide. This
suggests that chemical additives producing other compounds. such as mercury chloride. might also be
beneficial for removals. To explore this possibility, another carbon sample that previously gave essentially
no removal was treated with calcium chloride (CaCIJ in the ratio of about 6:l by weight. The treated
carbon gave excellent removals and actually performed better than the sulfur-treated carbon.
Recently. the research has been focused on the development and testing of lower-cost alternatives to
activated carbon. Several high-surface-area or low-cost mineral substrates have been identified and
samples have been obtained. Tests of the materials in the as-received condition gave moderate mercury
removals for a molecular sieve sorbent and essentially no removals for pumice and vermiculite samples.
In current research, the samples are being treated with chemical additives shown to be effective with
activated carbon and tests are king run at various additive concentrations. mercury concentrations, and
flue-gas temperatures. Figure 1 gives the results of experiments with volcanic pumice treated with
849
potassium iodide, CaQ. or sulfur. The untreated pumice was ineffective for mercury removal, but the
sulfur-treated sorbent gave 100% removal for over an hour, while the iodide-impregnated sorbent gave
100% removal for a few minutes followed by a decrease in removal that appeared to level out at about
30%. In order to explore the effects of temperature on the treated sorbents. additional tests were run at
a temperature of 150°C. As shown in Figure 2, the iodide-impregnated sample behaved very similarly
at the two temperatures. However, the sulfur treatment that was so effective at the lower temperature was
found to be totally ineffective at the higher temperature. This may be due to a change in the form of the
sulfur, but this issue is still under study and has not yet been resolved.
Experiments with Wet Scrubbing
Preliminary data from field-sampling campaigns have indicated that elemental mercury is not appreciably
removed in typical wet-scrubber systems. This is not surprising given the very low solubility of mercury
in the elemental form. Initial experiments were conducted using the scrubber as described above, no
packing, and various degrees of "flooding" in the lower part of the column to promote gas-liquid contact.
The scrubbing liquors tested were distilled water, a Saturated Ca(OH), solution, and a Ca(0Hh solution
with loo0 ppm of potassium polysulfide. The polysulfide has been claimed to promote mercury removal
in other research.' The mercury inlet concentration was about 40 pg/m', the liquid height in the column
was vaned up to 43 cm. and the temperature was varied between 22 and 5 0 T No mercury removal was
detected under any of these conditions.
The addition of ceramic-saddle packing to the column produced removals of 3 to 5% with distilled water
at 22OC. and removals of 6 to 7% were obtained when the temperature was raised to 55°C. However, tests
involving polysulfide addition had to be terminated when reactions with the ceramic saddles produced
hydrogen sulfide (H,S) that interfered with the operation of the mercury analyzer.
In earlier research on mercury capture, stainless steel packing was found to promote mercury ~apture.~
Therefore, the ceramic saddles were replaced by 0.61-cm stainless-steel packing, which gave the rather
unexpected result of 11% removal with no liquid in the column. Removals with water in the column
ranged from 15 to 20%. Addition of polysulfide to the scrubber produced a noticeable increase in removal
up to about 40%. It appears that there is a positive synergistic effect on removal involving the
combination of polysulfide and stainless steel. It should be noted that this additive requires a very high
pH to maintain its stability and this may preclude its use in most FGD systems.
In an effort to promote greater mercury capture through changing its chemical form. tests were conducted
with several additives that combine strong oxidizing properties with relatively high vapor pressurcs. Tests
with minimal gas-liquid contacting yielded mercury removals as high as 100%. and indicated that the
removal reactions were. occumng in the gas phase above the scrubber liquor. However, tests with the
addition of SO2 to the gas stream showed the additives to be very reactive with that species as well, which
could result in excessively high additive consumption in order to realize effective mercury control.
Recently, tests with a new combination of oxidizing chemicals, NOXSORBTM. which is a product of the
Olin Copration, have indicated promise for integrated removal of several flue-gas species including
mercury. Preliminary data from those tests are shown in Figure 3. Funher tests are exploring the effects
of different additive concentrations, the relationship between NO/SO, removal and mercury removal. and
possible process configurations and economics.
CONCLUSIONS
The results and conclusions to date from the Argonne research on dry sorbents can be summarized as
follows: - Lime hydrates, either regular or high-surface-area, are not effective in removing elemental
mercury.
Mercury removals are. enhanced by the addition of activated carbon.
Mercury removals with activated carbon decrease with increasing temperature, larger particle
size. and decreasing mercury concentration in the gas.
Chemical pretreament (e.g.. with sulfur or CaCIJ can greatly increase the removal capacity
of activated carbon.
Chemically treated mimnl substrates have the potential to be developed into effective and
economical mercury sorbents.
Sorbents treated with different chemicals respond in significantly different ways to changes
in flue-gas temperature.
-
-
*
*
Preliminary results from the wet scrubbing research include: - No removal of elemental mercury is obtained under normal scrubber operating conditions
* Mercury removal is improved by the addition of packing or other techniques to increase the
gas-liquid contact area.
850
* Stainless steel packing appears to have beneficial properties for mercury removal and should
be investigated funher. Beneficial synergisms with polysulfide solutions have been observed.
Oxidizing additives may be used in conjunction with wet scrubbing to greatly enhance
removals. Selectivity is required to avoid excessive additive consumption from competing
reactions.
*
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The authors gratefully acknowledge the guidance and support for this research provided by Perry Bergman.
Charles Schmidt. and Charles Drummond of the Pittsburgh Energy Technology Center. Appreciation is
also exended to Sherman Smith for his many contributions to the laboratory operations.
REFERENCES
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Huang, H.S., C.D. Livengood, and S. bomb. 1991, Emissions of Airborne Toxics from Coal-Fired
Boilers: Mercury. ArgoMe National Laboratory report ANUESDITM-35.
Schmidt, C.E.. and T.D. Brown, 1994, Resulrs from the Department of Energy’s Assessment of Air
Toxics Emissions from Coal-Fired Power Plants, presentation at Illinois Coal Development Board
Program Committee Meeting. Nov. 15.
Livengood, C.D., H.S. Huang, and 1. M. Wu, 1994. Experimental Evaluation of Sorbents for the
Caphrre of Mercury in Flue Gases, Proc. 87th Annual Meeting & Exhibition of the Air & Waste
Management Association, Cincinnati, Ohio, June 19-24.
Yan. T.Y.. 1991. Reaction of Trace Mercury in Natural Gas with Dilute Polysurfide Solutionr in
a Packed Column, Industrial & Engineering ChemisVy Research, 30(12):2592-2595.
Livengood, C.D., M.H. Mendelsohn, H.S. Huang. and J.M. Wu. 1995. Development of Mercury
Control Techniques for Ufilify Boilers, h c . 88th Annual Meeting & Exhibition of the Air & Waste
Management Association, San Antonio, Texas, June 18-23.
Mendelsohn, M.H., and J.B.L. Harkness. 1991. Enhanced Flue-Gas Denitrification Using
FerrowEDTA and a Polyphenolic Compound in an Aqueous Scrubber System, Energy & Fuels.
5(2):244-247.
1208 sand + 3g &(OH)* +
l20g sand + 2g Ca(OH), +
0.3g sorbenr-IB KI
-10 0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Time (min)
Figure 1. Effects of chemical pretreatment on an inen substrate at 7WC.
851
f c0.3g sorbent-i% suirur.
temperature= 150°C
12Og sand + 2g Co(OH),
+0.5g sorbenr-l% KI:
tempemturc=7O0C
12Og sand + 2g Ca(OH),
temperature= 150°C
lZOg sand + 2g Ca(OH)2
+ +0.5g sorbenl-I% KI;
40
h 35
2E 30
.5- 25
c!
g 20
8B 15
II
v
c
c
0
-10 -5 0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Time (min)
Figure 2. Effects of different temperatures on a chemically pretreated inert substrate
100-
80 -
-20 -10 0 10 20 30 40
Time (rnin)
Figure 3. Removals of Hg. NO, and SO2 in h e wet scrubber with a 4% NOXSORBTM solution.
852
I
STRENGTH ENHANCEMENT OF CONCRETE CONTAINING MSW INCINERATOR ASH
James T. Cobb, Jr., Daniel J. Reed and James T. Lewis III
Department of Chemical & Petroleum Engineering
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261
Keywords: municipal solid waste, incinerator ash, concrete
ABSTRACT
In previous work [I] pretreatment of fresh municipal solid waste (MSW) incinerator ash
With a novel type of additive, which was not identified chemically in that paper, was shown to
markedly increase the compressive strength of portland cement concrete using the MSW ash as
fine aggregate. A rmnt study has shown that, at lower levels of additive, aged MSW ash does
not demonstrate the Same enhancement. This presentation will provide additional information
concerning the previous study, give the results of the current one and discuss the implications
of both.
INTRODUCTION
Much work is being conducted to find beneficial uses for the solid residues from energyconversion
process, such as coal-fired electric power plants and combustors of municipal solid
waste (MSW). Landfill caps and liners, grouts, structural fills, artificial aggregate for road
bases, concretes of various types, and additives for cement have all been examined as outlets for
these energy-related wastes. For all of the uses just listed, solidification is the principal goal,
while stabilization of the eight RCRA metals (arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, lead,
mercury, selenium and silver) is an important secondary consideration.
Two residues obtained from the most thorough of the MSW combustors - the O’Conner
rotary burner - fail to meet the following specifications for Class C Fly Ash - moisture content,
ignition loss, pozzolanic activity index and fineness. [l] In addition they fail the EP toxicity test
for cadmium and lead [I], as shown in Table 1. Thus, they cannot be used as cement additives
and they must be stabilized when included in any of the other beneficial uses listed in the last
Paragraph.
An earlier paper [l] described a study in which a combined MSW ash from the O’Conner
combustor was used as fine aggregate in portland cement concrete. In that paper it was pointed
out that using MSW ash for this purpose substantially degrades the strength of the concrete so
produced, but it reported that a novel additive had been discovered which gives early indications
of economically restoring concretes containing MSW ash to their normal strengths.
However, the authors of that earlier paper did not reveal the chemical composition of the
novel additive. At that time they were exploring the possibility of obtaining a patent on the use
of the additive. Since then, they have decided that, such a patent being essentially be
unenforceable if awarded, the nature of the additive should be disclosed.
One purpose of this paper, then, is that disclosure, along with some additional
information obtained during the last few months of the Westinghouse-sponsored project, which
came to its conclusion shortly after that paper was written. [2] Subsequently, another graduate
student conducted a brief examination of this topic and found some interesting differences
between the behavior of fresh and aged MSW ash. [3] The second purpose of this paper, then,
is to report his findings.
SOLIDIFICATION ENHANCEMENT USING NOVEL ADDITIVES
The novel additive is a common acid. Two different acids have been tested -
hydrochloric acid and acetic acid. The method of introduction of the acid may best be shown
by giving the procedure (based upon ASTM C192-88) for mixing a batch of concrete in which
it is included. The specific batch described is Batch 32:
0 Add 17.0 pounds of coarse aggregate and 25.8 pounds of MSW ash to a small
cement mixer and commence rotation.
Add 500 ml of 12 normal hydrochloric acid and mix for several minutes.
853
0 Add 33.5 pounds of Cement and 12.0 pounds of water (enough to provide a slump
of 1.5 to 2.5 inches) to the mixer in equal proportions, one after the other, in
three or four different intervals.
when the mix is ready for molding, fill twenty three inch by six inch cylindrical
cardboard molds and place them in a curing room.
After each period of three, seven, fourteen, twenty-eight and ninety days, test
four cylinders for compressive strength, reporting the average strength of the
strongest three cylinders.
0
0
Figure 1 provides a record of the 28-day average compressive strengths for twelve
concretes prepared with MSW ash as fine aggregate and with varying amounts of either
hydrochloric acid or acetic acid. The abscissa is structured in units of gram moleslpounds
MSW ash. For comparison, the 28-day strength of a concrete made with no additive (Batch 5)
is shown. Nearly a 300% increase in compressive strength (1400 psi to 5500 psi) is achieved
by Batch 30, made with 0.25 gram moles of hydrochloric acid per pound of MSW ash.
The results of the 90-day compressive strengths are confused. These batches were made
near the end of the project and 90-day strengths were not obtained for Batches 44 through 49.
In addition, the cylinders for Batches 27, 35, 36 and 37 deteriorated such that no strength could
be measured. The 90-day compressive strengths for Batches 30, 31,32 and 42 are 4940, 4380,
6200 and 1618 respectively. [It should be noted that no 28day strength for batch 42 was
measured. The value in Figure 1 is the 90-day strength.] Thus, the compressive strength of
Batch 30 decreased somewhat after Day 28, that for Batch 31 rose very slightly and that for
Batch 32 increased dramatically. The addition of these two acids may be affecting the
crystallography of the cementitious portion of the concretes. Intermediate amounts of acid
appear to increase strength without degradation, while larger amounts cause deterioration. Much
work needs to be conducted to understand the causes and effects of strength enhancement by acid
addition.
METAL STABILIZATION IN MSW ASH-CONTAINING CONCRETE
Samples of the first nine concretes containing MSW ash, made in this project, were
extracted by the project team according to the EP toxicity method and the concentrations of the
eight RCRA metals in the extracts were measured by Geochemical Testing of Somerset,
Pennsylvania. The results of these tests are given in Table 1. The two metals, cadmium and
lead, which caused the MSW ash to fail the EP toxicity test, have been well stabilized in all nine
concretes.
COMPARISON OF BEHAVIOR OF FRESH AND AGED ASH
This portion of the study was conducted two years after the earlier portion. Aged ash
was drawn from the fourth (and final) batch of ash that had been collected several years
previously. Fresh ash was obtained from the Dutchess County MSW Incinerator. It was drawn
from the ash conveyor prior to lime addition.
This portion of the study utilized mortar, rather than full concrete containing coarse
aggregate. The method of mortar production, based upon ASTM C109, was as follows:
0
0 Add water and mix.
0
0
Place the ash into a mixing bowl.
Add hydrochloric acid (if it is to be used) and mix,
Add cement (to a water/cement ratio of 0.81) and mix.
Fill six plastic two-inch molds with mortar, place them in a curing room for 24
hours, break them from the molds, and continue curing for six more days.
Measure the compressive strength of each of the six cubes, using a universal
testing machine; calculate the average strength of the four strongest cubes.
Figure 2 provides a record of the compressive strengths for eight aged ash-containing
moms, six prepared with varying amounts of hydrochloric acid and two with no acid. Figure
854
?
EPMcity
Cmaumt Madurn
Auaabla
Umt
ksenlc 500
&durn io0.m
W 500
MsrmlY azo
Gelenlum 1.00
Silver 50.00
c8dmlUm 1.00
chmmlum Lao
I
Primary PIaln Ave Mar A q Mmt
Mnidng ca#rt*, Conuem Qncmm &h Ash
WaBl conpol Bemplea Bem@m 8nmF4Ia samples
8tandarda M . 1 tog lto9 l a d 2 lend2
am awe o.oiez 0.05 aoit 0.018
1 .am 1.09 0.7WO 1.38 ales 0.240
am 0.01 0 . 1 5 ~ 0.n am 7.480
aoio am 0 . m 0.02 am 0.m
0.010 0.01 0.1061 0.47 1.375 1.m
0.050 am 0.- a09 0.0) 0.050
am a m 0 . m 0.004 0.001 0.001
am 0.01 0.0167 0.M 0.025 0.m
3 provides a record of the compressive strengths for three fresh ash-containing mortars, two
Prepared With varying amounts of hydrochloric acid and one with no acid. For comparison of
Figures 2 and 3 with Figure 1, it may be noted that 100 mmol of acid in Figures 2 and 3
corresponds to 0.032 gram moles acidlpound of ash in Figure 1.
First, it may be observed that all of the mortars were prepared with relatively low
amounts of acid. The largest amount of acid, about 0.05 gram moles acidlpound of ash, was
used in Batch 6. This corresponds to the amount used in Batches 31 and 37 of the earlier
portion of the study. Thus, the increases in compressive strength with increasing amounts of
acid, observed in Figures 2 and 3 to be under 100%. are as expected, based upon the experience
recorded in Figure 1.
From a comparison of Figures 2 and 3 it is clear that the compressive strength of mortar
made from fresh ash is over six times that of mortar made from aged ash. Fresh ash has a
certain amount of pozzolanic character which is lost as it ages. It is also clear from this
comparison that acid addition is much more effective in increasing the compressive strength of
mortar containing fresh ash than for that containing aged ash. Mortar with fresh ash doubles
in strength with the addition of about 60 mmols of acid, while mortar with aged ash may require
120 mmols or more of acid for the same effect. Thus, there may be a phenomenological linkage
between the strength enhancement caused by acid addition and the pozzolanic nature of the ash.
CONCLUSIONS
The addition of common acids, such as hydrochloric and acetic acids, to mortars and
concretes containing MSW incinerator ash, increases the compressive strength of the final
product. The increase is more pronounced when the ash is fresh. Aging of ash degrades the
final strength of the mortar and also reduces the effect to be expected by acid addition.
It should be noted that the results of this study are quite preliminary in nature. Much
more work needs to be done to verify and quantify the trends and to ascertain their causative
mechanism.
REFERENCES
[I]
[2]
[3]
Cobb, J. T., Jr., et al., Clean Enercy from Waste& Coal, M. R. Khan, ed., ACS
Symposium Series, 515, 1993, p. 264.
Reed, D. I., MS Thesis, University of Pittsburgh, 1992.
Lewis, J. T., 111, MS Thesis, University of Pittsburgh, 1994.
Table 1. EP Toxicity Tests on Nine Concretes Containing MSW Ash
855
Figure 1 . Effect of Acid Concentration on Compressive Strength
of Concrete Containing MSW Ash
0
P6
8 16
18
u) la, 1%
Amount of Acid (mmol)
Figure 2. Effect of Acid Concentration on Compressive Strength
of Mortar Containing Aged MSW Ash
856 1
1100
1000
0 10 m 30
Amount of Acid (mmol)
Figure 3. Effect of Acid Concentration on Compressive Strength
of Mortar Containing Fresh MSW Ash
857
INVESTIGATION OF THE CO, ABSORPTION CAPACITY OF DRY FGD WASTES
Taulbee, D.N., Graham, U., Rathbone, R.F., and Robl, T.L.
University of Kentucky-Center for Applied Energy Research
3572 Iron Works pike
Lexington, KY 4051 1
Keywords: CO, or carbon dioxide, Rue-gas desulfurization or FGD, natural gas, Calcium Oxide
ABSTRACT
Numerous utility boilers and tail-gas desulfurization units utilize lime or limestone-based
sorbents to remove sulfur oxides generated during the combustion of fossil fuels. Such units
generate about 20 million tons of flue-gas desulfurization (FGD) wastes annually in the US., the
bulk of which (-95%) is discarded in landfills or holding ponds.' Thus. commercial utilization of
FGD wastes would benefit from both a plentiful low-cost raw material as well as a signifcant
savings in disposal. One such use may be for the reduction of CO, in multi-component gas streams.
During the removal of SO,, the lime added to or generated in the desulfurization unit, is not
iully utilized. That is, a portion of the Ca fed to the unit is not sulfated (remains as CaO or
Ca(OH),). In some FGD wastes, the fraction of available Ca is quite high (> In), paniculariy for
dry wastes. When hydrated, such wastes exhibit a strong aftinity to absorb CO, at ambient
temperature. Funher, both the kinetics and extent of absorption are favorable as CO, initially at
-2.5 volume% was rapidly reduced to below the detection limit of the measurement device (ppm
range) used in this study. Leaching behavior and changes in the mineralogy of the FGD samples
exposed to CO, are also discussed.
INTRODUCTION.
Over the past decade, numerous FGD units have been added to existing utility boilers in an
effort to satisfy federal mandates on SO2 emissions. Such units are usually classified as either wet
or dry &pending on whether the absorbent is used in a slurry (wet) or as a hydrated solid. Wet
scrubbers capture sulfur chiefly as gypsum (CaS04R,0) with some sulfite formation (e.g.,
CaS03.2H,0). Dry technologies such as AFBC produce a dry product in which sulfur is captured
mostly as anhydrite-CaS04 or for the dry tail-gas units such as spray drier and duct-injection, sulfur
is captured as gypsum, anhydrite or hemi-hydrate (CaSO,H,O). Dry FGD by-products also differ
from their wet-scrubber counterparts in that a significant portion of the calcium in the dry waste
remains unsulfated. This Ca is present as either calcium oxide, CaO, or as slaked lime, &(OH),.
Because FGD wastes, particularly dry FGD wastes represent relatively new materials, <6% of the
-20 M tons of FGD wastes generated in 1993 are currently finding commercial uses.'
The work described here represents a preliminary examination of the capacity of dry-FGD
wastes to remove CO, from multi-component gas streams. Such an absorbent may have numerous
commercial uses, e.g., gas purification, removal of C02 during H2 production, etc. However, the
current study focused on the potential to reduce CO, in simulated natural-gas streams. As a rule
of thumb, the costs associated with available COz-removal technologies (wet scrubbers, molecular
sieves, membranes) are prohibitive for gas wells that produce less than about 100,OOO SCF/day?
This effectively eliminates commercial production from low-porosity, carbonate-conta@ing strata
common to many gas-producing deposits. Thus, a low-cost CO, absorbent that can be safely
disposed or marketed (road base or fertilizer) may have applications in the natural-gas industry.
In this study, CO, absorption capacity was evaluated for waste samples generated from
different utility boilers, one demonstration plant, and tests conducted under four sets of conditions
in a single pilot plant. With the exception of a utility-derived fly ash used as a control, all samples
examined are dry-FGD waste materials. Absorption capacity was examined for both hydrated
samples as well as aqueous slm'es. As of this writing, only gas blends containing inert gases and
CO2 or inert gas and COJCH4 have been tested. Additional tests are planned to evaluate absorption
behavior during exposure of hydrated FGD-wastes to a gas blend containing 3s. CO,, and CH,.
EXPERIMENTAL.
Absorption Reactor. A schematic of one configuration of the reactor used to measure CO,
absorption for the hydrated samples is shown in Figure 1 (shown with 9" X 1/4"-i.d. tube reactors).
This is essentially the reactor described in earlier adsorption/cracking studies of liquid
hydrocarbons3 with some modification. The more significant modifications include the inucduction
of standard gases containing COdAr or COdCHdAr via the entry line in which pure Ar was
pfiviously metered, plugging of the liquids inlet, use of 4 X 3/8"-i.d. reactors in addition to the
9" x 1/4" reactors (most of the hydrated-sample tests), and placement of the 4" reactors in a vertical
alignment to provide a more uniform flow of gases through the hydrated samples. Essentially the
Same measurement system was used to measure absorption of CO, by the water/sample slurries
except that a pair of 250-mLcapacity gas scrubbers were substituted for the ss tube reactors.
Samples. Many of the study samples examined were obtained from commercial utilities that
858
I
preferred to remain unidentified. Thus, only cursory descriptions of the samples will be given and
some producers will remain anonymous.
A total of 11 samples were examined. A very brief description along with the identification
label used in this repon is given in Table I. The fly ash utilized as conml &FA) is a Class F fly
ash from a pulverizedcoal-combustion (F'CC) utility boiler operating on bituminous coal. The
fluidized-& combustion materials (FU-FA/BA and CC-FA/BA) were derived from circulating or
entrained flow units operating on high-sulfur bituminous coal. The coarse material @A-bed ash)
was drained from the bed while the finer material (FA) represents cyclone and baghouse catch.
These samples differ primarily in panicle size and relative proportions of free lime. Two types of
dry post-combustion flue-gas material were utilized in the study, a spray-dryer ash from a large
industrial boiler in the Midwest, and materials from the Coolside duct-injection technology. The
Coolside materials include a sample (CS) from Ohio =son's 1990 demonsmation of the technology
at its Edgewater power plant4 as well as materials derived from the CONSOL'S Coolside pilot plant
in Library, PA (PPl-PP4)S
Run Conditions and Procedures. All absorption measurements were made at ambient
temperature. Nominal gas flows of 100 mumin (ambient temperature) for the hydrated-solids tests
and 150 mumin for the slurry tests were metered through each reactor. The gas streams were
comprised solely of N, in the bypass line and a standard-gas blend (either Ar/CO,/He-
7.5/2.5/90.0 ~01%o; r Ar/COZ/cH,-30.4/49.6/20.1 ~01%i)n the absorbent line. Argon was included
as a tracer gas to eliminate measurements problems associated with minor leaks or instrumental drift.
Hydrated samples of known water content were obtained by careful blending of distilled
water and dry waste. Between 2 and 5 g of the hydrated samples were packed into the absorbent
reactor between quartz-wool plugs. The bypass reactor was packed with 6 g of Ottawa sand.
For the slurry absorption experiments, -5 g of dry sample was added to 200 mL of distilled
water in a 250-mL gas scrubber. The slurry was stirred with a magnetic stir bar for the duration
of the experiment. Gas concentrations in the combined sample/bypass exit stream were determined
with a VG-quadrupole mass spectrometer (QMS). This unit was operated in a selected-ionmonitoring
mode in which intensities for m/e 18-H20+, 20-d'. 28-N2+, 40-h'. 44-C02+, and 15-
CH3+ (for methane) were recorded at approximately 1-second intervals.
For both the hydrated-solids and slurry tests, data collection was initiated with the switching
valve in the bypass position, i.e., with the CO, stream passing through the bypass reactor. After
a minimum of 150 data points were collected (usually 2-4 minutes), the valve was rotated so that
the C02 stream was switched to the absorbent reactm and the N, stream was simultaneously
switched to the bypass reactor. After a selected exposure time, the valve was returned to the initial
position to reestablish the QMS baseline.
Following data collection, the QMS data were imported to a spreadsheet where the
molecular-ion signal for CO, (m/e-44) was ratioed to the Ar-ion signal (m/e-40). The curves
described by the COgAr ratio were then numerically integrated over the interval during which CO,
was routed to the absorbent reactor to determine the fraction of the 0,abs orbed. The fraction of
CO, absorbed was calculated to an absolute basis then to SCF of C02 absorbed per ton of waste.
Several of the hydrated samples were retained in sealed vials for post-run XRD analysis to
investigate changes in mineralogy resulting from CO, absorption. Likewise, selected slurry waters
were retained in sealed containers for ICP analysis of heavy metals/cations.
RESULTS
A plot of the C02/Ar ion-intensity ratios is shown in Figure 2. In this run, the Ar/C02 blend
(2.5% CO,) was initially flowed through the sand-packed bypass reactor, switched to the absorbent
bed packed with hydrated FU-fly ash at 3 min, returned to the bypass reactor at 53 min, then again
to the absorbent reactor 3-min later. This particular plot demonsuates both the rapid kinetics and
the extent to which CO, was absorbed in the 9 reactor as well as provides an indication of the
reproducibility of the QMS response during the two bypass- and expose-mode intervals. A more
complete run, also conducted in the 9" reactor with 2.5% CO,. is shown in Figure 3. This latter
plot demonstrates how the QMS response collected as the CO, passes through the bypass reactor
(before and after the valve switch) provides a suitable baseline for integration of the ion intensities
recorded during passage of CO, through the absorbent bed.
Absorption by hydrated solids. Absorption of COz is shown in Figure 4 as a function of water
content. These plots were prepared from runs in which 2-5 g (dry basis) of hydrated sample were
exposed to flowing 0 2 (4 9.6%; -100 mumin) in the 4" X 3/8"-i.d. reactors. In dry form, none
of the wastes examined showed a smng affinity for COT However, with addition of H,O, the
absorption capacity increased rapidly until the water content was sufficiently high to create a mudlike
texture in the waste samples. At the highest moisture levels, absorption capacities declined,
presumably limited by sample permeability. Maximum absorption ranged from -1,700 SCF/ton for
the FU-FA to -300 SCF/ton for the conml fly-ash sample (L-FA). Limited testing in the 9 reactor
showed absorption in excess of 2,000 SCF/ton for the FU-FA sample.
859
Absorption by watedwaste slurries. For the final phase of the study, the ss tube reactors were
replaced with a pair of 250-mL gas bubbler/scrubbers. As described earlier, -5 g of solid waste
were added to 200 mL of distilled water in the absorbent scrubber (bypass scrubber contained
200 mL of distilled water). The gas blend containing C02, Ar, and CH, (-50:30:20) was bubbled
through the water in the bypass reactor during the initial bypass interval then switched to the
absorbent sluny for up to one hour before returning to bypass. The QMS data collected during the
slurry tests was processed the same as those collected during the hydration studies.
Results from the slurry tests are shown in Figure. 5. Absorption ranged from less than 1.OOO
SCF/ton for the L-FA control sample to more than 3,500 SCF/ton for the FU-FA and PP4 samples.
These results generally correlate with the free lime data in Table I with the exception of the two
samples of bed ash. The significantly larger particle size of the bed ash samples likely limits
diffusion of CO, into the particle and explains their lower than expected absorption capacity.
Although removal of CO, was greater in the slurry tests on an absolute basis, neither the rate
or level of maximum absorption was as great as measllred for'the equivalent hydrated samples.
Slurry runs typically required 10-20 minutes before CO, response returned to 95% of the original
level. Further, at maximum absorption, CO, was typically reduced from 49.6% in the feed stream
to around 12-15% in the exit stream for the slurry tests as compared to 1% or less in the exit stream
for the hydrated-waste tests. However, the shape of the adsorption curves obtained from the slurry
tests is thought to be more of a reflection of scrubber design rather than absorption kinetics. It is
believed that both kinetics and the maximum level of absorption can be markedly improved with
a more efficiently designed bubbledscrubber (smaller bubbles, longer contact time).
Post-run analysis of hydrated solids and slurry waters. Selected samples from the hydration tests
were examined by XRD and compared to similar analyses of unexposed samples. The XRD results
indicate that the only significant change in mineralogy following absorption was an increase in
calcium carbonate (CaC03). There was also a minor increase in etningite, a hydrous calcium sulfoaluminate
phase that can substitute carbonate for sulfate in its structure. However, since the samples
remained moisturized following exposure. (i.e., they may continue to react), it is possible that these
minor changes occurred after the absorption run and before the XRD analysis. Regardless, it
appears that the CO, reacts primarily with available Ca (CaO or Ca(OH),) to form carbonate.
Two of the water samples retained from the sluny tests were analyzed for metalkations
content (Table 11). Elemental concentrations are in large part controlled by pH which was >12 for
these samples. At such high pH, most transition metals are relatively insoluble. This likely explains
why none of the elements tested were detected at levels sufficient to suggest unreasonable disposal
problems due to the leaching of toxic elements from the waste samples into the slurry water.
SUMMARY
The results obtained in this study clearly show that when hydrated, FGD wastes exhibit a
high affinity for CO,, ranging as high as 3,600 SCF/ton. Further, there are significant differences
in the capacity of FGD wastes generated in different plants to absorb COT With the exception of
the larger particle-size bed-ash samples, these differences appear to be controlled by the available
lime content of a given waste. This is supported by the free-lime data in Table I and XRD analysis
which indicated that the absorbed C02 reacts with free lime to form CaCO,. Thus, dry wastes from
less efficient utility scrubbers should produce higher-capacity CO, absorbents. Finally, analysis of
the slurry waters suggests that process waters that may be used in a liquid scrubber can be safely
disposed following contact with FGD wastes.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Jefferson Gas Transmission for their assistance with this project.
REFERENCES.
The authors would like to thank K. Saw and B. Schram of the UK-CAER and K. Baker of
1. Coal Combustion Byproduct (CCB); Production & use: 1966-1993. Report
for Coal Burning Utilities in the United States. American Coal Ash
Association. 1995, Alexandria, VA, 68p.
Personal communications with Wiiliam Johnson and associates at NIPER in Bartlesville
OK and Tom Cooley with Grace Membrane Systems, Houston, TX.
Taulbee, D. N., Prepr., ACS Div. of Fuel Chem., 1993, 38, #I, American Chemistry
Society, Washington, DC, 324-329.
K a n q , D.A., R.M. Stanick. H.Yoon, et& 1990, Coolside Process Demonstration at the
Ohio Edison Company Edgewater Plant Unit 4-Boiler 13. Proceedings, 1990 SO, Control
Symposium 3, EPRVU.S. EPA, Session 7A,, New Orleans, LA, 1%.
Withum, J.A., W.A. Rosenhoover and H. Yoon, 191 Proceedings, 5& Pittsburgh Coal
Conf. University of Pittsburgh, 84-96.
2.
3.
4.
5.
860
J
Table I. Waste samples examined
Table IL Concentration (ppm) of cation/metals in
the waters retained from slurry-absorption tests.
,_______________________________.___...______.____
Metering
Valves -=-
Flow check j
Switching valve( I I
Heated valve OW* -> i... .. . . .__ .. _ _._ ... . . . .. .. . .. . .. .. . . . _ ._ ~ _ _ __. .
Reactor furnace (above ambient tmp Only)
.........‘4 ................................................... ...__.._
Adsorbent reactor
I
1
QMS j
._....._B_y-p_as_s. _re.a.c_to.r. ...~~......~.........-..-..~~.....--.~~......~.~...
Figure 1. Schematic of the absorption reactor used for the hydrated samples.
861
I 1 0.4
Time (Min)
Figure 2. CO-JAr ion-ratio curve showing
C02/Ar ratios as gas blend is routed through
a) bypass reactor, b) absorbent reactor, c) rem
to bypass reactor, and d) return to absorbent reactor.
2000 L-Fly Ash
..............
................................................. - ........ -.
.Y) ;0 3 ............................................................. ......... 0 o,2 .r ......................................................................................... lo g o.,
OO 40 80 120
Time (Min)
Figure 3. CO,/Ar ion-ratios during run with
FU-fly ash in 9" reactors (1.5 g dry FU-FA;
0.58 g H,O; 2.5 mL/min CO,).
oi . IO . io . 30 ' i o
Addcd WaIer ( ~ 1 % )
2o00]FU-Eed Ash
Addcd water ( ~ 1 % )
Figure 4. Absorption of CO, by hydrated wastes as a function of water content.
PP3 a-300
PFZ PP4 SD FU-FA CC-FA
Figure 5. CO, absorption by watedwaste slurries. a) Coolside wastes; b) all others.
862
TECHNOLOGIES OF COAL FLY ASH PROCESSING
INTO METALLURGICAL AND SILICATE CHEMICAL PRODUCTS
Solomon Shcherhan, Int. Assn. of Science, Inc., 1 IO Bennett Ave., 3H
New York, NY 10033; Victor Raizman, Assn. of Engineers & Science, New York;
lliya Pevzner, Coral1 Co. of St.Petersburg Engineer Academy, St.Petersburg
Keywords: coal fly ash, recovery of metals and silica, utilization
ABSTRACT
A study and industrial testing have made for the recovery of aluminum, iron and silica from coal
ash, produced by utilities. Alkaline technologies for coal fly ash processing were developed that
made it possible to separate the main components of fly ash (SiO, , AI,O,, Fe,O,) and utilize
them separately, producing a large variety of useful products. Some of these technologies have
already been successfully tested in pilot programs.
INTRODUCTION
The problem of effective utilization of solid waste from coal-fired power plants is of great importance
to many countries. The coal burning utilities of the former Soviet Union generate more
than 100 million tons of solid combustion by-products each year. Approximately 1 billion tons
of solid waste from utilities is placed in storage and disposal areas. The combustion of coal by
utilities in the United States results in the production of over 80 million tons of solid by-products
each year yet less than a quarter of coal ash is presently being utilized [l].
The various fields of fly ash application are known [I-31. In the former Soviet Union much attention
has been given to the area of research that is called 'High Technology Ash Application' in
the United States [I]. This research focuses on the development of technologies for ash processing
with recovery of valuable minerals and metals in particular for the recovery of aluminum.
The necessity of this research is caused by the need to find new ways for the utilization of fly
and bottom ash and simultaneously to solve the problem of expanding the source of raw materials
used in aluminum industry.
Ash contains approximately 1.5-2 times less aluminum oxide than common aluminum raw materials
(20-35% A120, in ash as compared to 50-62% A1203 in bouxite). The high level of silica in
ashes (40-65% SO,) makes it impossible to process them by the easiest and the most economical
Bayer method and by the other methods of direct alkaline alumina extraction. Therefore for
ash processing other methods are studied: acid, thermal, thermal reducing, electrothermal melting,
new alkaline methods.
This paper is dedicated to the development of alkaline methods of ash processing. The laboratory
research of alkaline methods of fly ash processing have been done at the Problem Laboratory
of Recovery of Light and Rare Metals (Kazakh Politechnical University, Alma-Ata). Largescale
testing of the alkaline technologies has been conducted at the pilot plants of the All-Union
Aluminum-Mapesium Institute (VAMI, St.Petersburg), State Research and Designed Cement
Institute (GIPROCement, St.Peterburg), and the Institute of General and Inorganic Chemistry
(Erevan).
EXPERIMENTAL
Chemical and Mineralogical Description of Ash Samples
Chemical analysis of typical fly ash derived from Ekibastuz coal are given in Table 1
Table 1
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS (Wt.%) OF FLY ASH
power C o n s t i t u e n t
plant SiO, AI,03 Fe,O, Ti 0, CaO MgO Na20 K20 LO1 Total
pavlodar 59.82 27.79 5.48 1.65 1.20 0.72 0.40 0.62 4.50 97.68
Emak 60.50 27.20 5.05 1.90 1.60 0.58 0.30 0.60 4.00 97.73
Troitsk 58.48 30.21 4.78 1.95 1.12 0.66 0.30 0.55 0.80 98.05
The major constituents of the Ekibastuz ashes are silicon dioxide, aluminum oxide and iron oxide
which represent about 9044% of the total. Ekibastuz fly ash is characterized by low content
ofNa20 and K,O (<= 1%) and CaO and MgO (1.78-2.2).
The mineral part of Ekibastuz coal is represented by kaolinite (60-68%), quartz (27-30%), sider-
/
863
ite (34%), calcite (2.5-3%), magnesite (l-l.5%) and gyps (0.3-0.5%). At burning of coal the
mineral part of it is subjected to a short termed influence of high temperatures, which results in
kaolinite decomposition, formation of mullite and glassy phase, thermal1 dissociation of carbonate,
polymorphous conversion of quartz into high temperature modification of silica. All these
transformations predetermine the mineralogical composition of ash (Table 2).
Table 2
MINERALOGICAL ANALYSIS OF SILICON AND
ALUMINUM CONTAINING MINERALS IN EKIBASTUZ ASH
Mineral Mass. Yo A n a l y s i s
Name in Ash Crystal Optics X-Ray Diffraction IR-spectroscopy
d,A v, cm-'
~ ~~ ~~~
Mulite 30-35 n,=1.666, n,=1,654 5.45; 3.41; 3.36; *
a - np= 0.012 2.88; 2.55; 2.21;
Glassy 48-51 I . N=1.503 Amorphous 1100-1050;
Phase 2. N=1.534-1.539 Amorphous 780; 475;
Quartz 2-10 Ng=1.544; Np=1.531 4.27; 3.78; 2.44 I 160; 1095;
2.28; 2.23; 1.82 800-790; 465;
Righ 0-45 No=1.486; Ne=1.454 4.09 (intensive); 1160; 1100;
Temperature No - Ne = 0.002 2.51; 2.88 975; 820;
Silica - -~ -_ -. .. __-- ~ __
* The absorption regions of mullite appear after dissolving the uncombined silica of ash.
As it follows from Table 2 Ekibastuz ash basically consists of glassy phase (SiO, and SiO, with
admixtures), mullite (3 AI,0,.2SiO2) and quartz (SO,). Well calcinated ash (Troitsk) contains a
high temperature crystalline modification of silica with properties close to crystobalite.
Most important for the alkaline methods of ash processing is the process ofkaolinite decomposition
with the formation of mullite and the isolation of the most part of silica in an uncombined
(free) form. This process is described by the summary reaction:
3[A12Si,0,(OH),]------->3 A1,03.2Si0,+4Si02+6H,0
kaolinite mullite silica
As a result of this reaction aluminum is concentrated in mullite and about 67% of the kaolinite
silica is isolated in a free form. Together with silica of quartz and its high-temperature modifications
about 70-80% of silica is contained in the ash in the free form. This creates the necessary
prerequisites for aluminum oxide and silicon dioxide separation. Stated phase separation of
aluminum oxide and silicon dioxide in ashes came to be a basis for research and the development
of alkaline methods for ash processing [4].
Interaction between Ash Minerals and Alkaline Solutions
According to the data of mineralogical analysis (Table 2) mullite, glassy phase, quartz and its
high temperature modification-crystobalite are the main aluminum and silicon containing ash
minerals. The comparison of these minerals dissolubility in the alkaline solution is shown in
Figure I .
The comparison of the curves (Figure I ) shows that mullite ( I ) and quartz (2) have a small
dissolubility in alkaline solution while crystobalite ( S ) dissolves practically completely after 4
hours of alkaline treatment at I05C [5]. The glassy phase (3) also has good disolubility in alkaline
solution. Its presence and dissolution are determined by a comparison of IR-spectra of ash
(Figure 2) and its residue after alkaline treatment.
IR-spectra of ash (Figure 2.1) contain the absorption regions 1100 and 800-780 cm-' which are
the characteristic regions of silicates like quartz, crystobalite, and amorphous silica with threedimensional
tetrahedrons of SiO, frame. In the IR-spectra of residue after ash alkaline treatment
(2) the regions of quartz, glass and crystobalite have completely or partially disappeared and absorption
regions of mullite (1 180,970-920, 880-850 cm" ) have appeared.
XRD analysis of residue after alkaline ash treatment reveals the complete disappearance of
864
Figure 1. Interaction between
alkaline solution and ash
compounds: I- mulite;
2 - quartz; 3 - ash glassy phase;
4 -ash cristobalite;
5 - synthesized cristobalite.
no NRS
Figure 2. Infra-red Spectra:
I - ash; 2 - its residue;
3 - ash calcinated at 1250°C;
4 - its residue.
BO
60
40
0
t 2 . ? 4 5
,4 OUR5
Figure 3. Silica extraction from Fly Ash
865
crystobalite maxima d,A: 4.09-4.10; 4.52; 3.51 which is well coordinated with the data of
crystobalite alkaline dissolubility (Figure I). The aforementioned data of chemical, XRD, and
IR-spectroscopy research shows that uncombined (free) ash silica is extracted from ash by the
alkaline solution.
Hydroalkaline Recovery of Silica from Fly Ash
The influence of various factors on the percentage of silica extraction from fly ash is shown in
Figure 3.
The data in Figure 3 shows that free silica is extracted from ash at low rates (temperature 105.C
for a duration of 3-4 hours). The process can be realized at atmospheric pressure. The essential
augmentation of silica recovery has been reached by means of ash activation which increased the
eficiency of silica extraction by 12-20% (Figure 3, curves 6-9).
The intermediates after ash hydralkaline treatment were the silica alkaline solution (SAS) and
the solid residue enriched by aluminum oxide (concentrate of alumina). Chemical composition
of SAS , gdm-': Na,0=160-220; Si0,=100-250; AI,03=2-7; Fe,O,=O. 1-0.9. Concentrate of
alumina included %: 44-55 AI,O,; 30-27 SO,; 5.5-10 Fe,O,.
Recovery of Iron from Fly Ash by Magnetic Separation
In a number of studies, magnetic separation was applied as a pre-stage before the main operations
of ash treatment[6]. Ekibastuz ash consists of 4-lO% Fe (as Fe,O,). The possibility of recovering
the magnetic fraction from Ekibastuz ash and its classified fractions was shown in [7].
The mabmetic fractions after raw ash magnetic separation were rich in Fe (60-62% as Fe,O,).
Classified fractions contained 57.6-66.4% Fe as Fe,03. Output of the magnetic fractions was
2.12-5%. The non-magnetic residues were depleted of Fe and contained 2.6-3.6% Fe as Fe,O,.
Technology of Alkaline Fly Ash Processing. The Principle Process Flow Sheet
The described findings of hydroalkaline recovery of silica were taken as a basis for the design of
the process flow sheet of fly ash processing into metallurgical, silicate chemical products and
building materials. The principle flow sheet (Figure 4) includes the hydroalkaline silica extraction
from fly ash. This operation allows one to extract the good part of ash silica (60-77%) into
the alkaline solution and then to process it into various silicate chemical products (sodium and
calcium metasilicates, sodium-silicate mixtures, amorphous and crystalline silica and others).
The solid intermediates from ash extraction-alumina concentrate-can be processed into alumina,
aluminum, and aluminates by thermal or hydrochemical alkaline methods or can be used for
aluminum-silicon alloys, refractories, and concrete production. Mud of the alumina production
is a valuable raw material for cements.
i p t Fe - CONCENTRATE HYDR~ALKKIN E
SILICA EXTRACTION
F
ALUMINA SILICATE ALKALINE
SOLUTION M
PROCESSING INTO REGENERATION
PURE SILICATE PRODUCTS: I
SILICATES, SILICA, ZEOLITES,
ALUMINA WHITE SOOT, COMPONENTS
PRODUCTION FOR GLASSES, CERAMICS, I CEMENT AND OTHER
variants - invariable operation
ALLOYS
REFRATORIES
BUILDING
MATERIALS
ALUMINA
CE~ENT
Figure 4. Flow sheet for alumina, silica and iron recovery from ash
866
Large -Scale Testing of the Alkaline Technologies
Practically all of the main technological operations of the fly ash processing have been tested in
pilot programs: ash activation, hydroalkaline silica extraction, settling and filtration of ash pulp,
washing of the alumina concentrate, processing it into alumina, producing of portland cement
from mud, silica alkaline solutions processing into sodium and calcium metasilicates. Alumina
Output was made up of 86% A1,0, (90-91.7% at the standard leaching).
REFERENCES
I. Golden D.M. 'Research to Develop Coal Ash Uses.' Ninth International Ash Use
Symposium. Proceedings. Orlando, Florida, January 22-25, 1991. .
2. Shpirt M.Y. 'Nonwaste Technology: Utilization of Waste from Mining and Processing of
Solid Combustible Fossils. Moscow: Entrails' 1986.
3. 'The Combined utilization of Coal Ash of the SSSR in the National Economy', Abstracts,
Meeting, Irkutsk, Russia, 11-13 July, 1989.
4. Shcherban SA., Nurmagambetova S.Kh. 'The Combined Utilization of Coal Ash of the
SSSR in the National Economy', Abstract, Meeting, Irkutsk, Russia, 11-13 July, 1989, p.91
5. Suliaieva N.G., Shcherban S.A., Tazhibaeva S.Kh, Romanov L.G. 'Combined Using of Mineral
Row Materials' Periodical. 1982, #3, pp.62-66, Alma-Ata (Russian)
6. Hemmings R.T., Beny E.E. and Golden D.M. 'Direct Acid Leaching of Fly Ash: Recovery of
Mettals and the Use of Residues as Fullers'. Eight International Coal Ash Utilization Symposium,
Washington D.C., October 29-31, 1987, p.38-A
7. Shcherban S.A., Sadykov Zh.S.,Pustovalova L.S., Ergaliev G.B., Fridman S.E. 'Ekibstuz Ash
Processing into Alumina with Iron Concentrate Production'. Combined Using of Mineral
Raw Materials. Periodical, 1985, N4, pp.68-71, Alma-Ata (Russian)
I
J
I 867
CHARACTERIZATION OF PYROLYSIS OILS OBTAINED FROM NON-CONVENTIONAL SOURCES
J. Houde Jr., J.-P. Charland, Energy Research Laboratories, CANMET, Natural Resources Canada,
555 Booth St., Ottawa, Ont., Canada, KIA OGI. E-mail: jean.houdeQx400.emr.ca
Keywords: pyrolysis oil, automobile shredder residue, pulp and paper sludges
INTRODUCTION
The effluents of pulp bleaching are the main problem of wastewater disposal faced by the pulp
industry because of their non-biodegradability. Today the demand for quality discharges requires
better methods than conventional biological processes. The changes recently proposed to the
federal regulations for controlling discharges from pulp and paper industry operations in Canada
have required many operations to install secondary biological effluent treatment process. Such
treatment often produce sludges that must be removed from the system and disposed of routinely,
usually daily or weekly. At present, Ontario and Quebec have the strictest solids disposal
regulations in Canada, with leachate critena that approximate the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) standard [l]. Most pulp and
paper mills in the U.S. have some form of biological treatment, the majority having their own
treatment plants, but some are tied into publicly owned treatment plants. Of those which have
their own treatment plants, two thirds have aerated stabilization basins and one third have
activated sludge [2].
Industrial wastewater secondary treatment using activated sludge techniques has gained
increased acceptance in the paper industry. The advantages of activated sludge treatment over
conventional aerated lagoons are less real estate requirement, less odour emissions, lower capital
cost and higher sludge treatment efficiency [3]. One of the main disadvantages is the production
of a large amount of sludge which is difficult to dewater and costly to dispose of. The Canadian
pulp and paper industry produces about 2,200 t/d of sludge from wastewater treatment operations.
Most of this sludge is produced in wood room or primary clarifiers treating total mill effluents.
Approximately 54% of this total is incinerated, with most of the balance being landfilled [4].
Long term environmental uncertainties associated with landfilling, as well as increasing costs and
a drive to greater energy efficiency, nuke it preferable to use the sludge.
When old cars and trucks are sent to scrap yards for shredding to recover ferrous and nonferrous
metals, large quantities of non-metallic waste, referred to as autofluff, are generated.
Autofluff is a lightweight mixture of plastics, textile, glass, rubber, foam, paper and rust. Also,
this material is contaminated with oils, lubricants and other fluids used in automobiles. The trend
to substitute lightweight materials for iron and steel reduces the proportion of recycled metals and
increases the amount of waste produced [5-81. The economics of the shredding industry relates
to the recovery and resale of the ferrous metal which is used to produce high quality steel. Over
the years, the use of ferrous metals in automobiles has declined whereas that of plastics and nonferrous
metals has increased. There is a clear economic and environmental advantage to
salvaging cars, since metals can be utilized that would otherwise end up as trash. In 1992, in
Canada, one million cars and trucks were sent to scrap yards, while in the U.S., 11 million
vehicles were taken off the road [71. Autofluff production is estimated at 1,80O,O00 and
2,860,000 t/a, respectively for Canada and the U.S., most of which ends up in landfill sites.
Of the various disposal alternatives, conversion of these materials by pyrolysis or other proven
technology to possible value-added products would reduce the use of costly landfill sites for
disposal and utilize this potentially valuable resource. The Wastewater Technology Centre (WTC)
of Environment Canada has been developing one such technology since 1982. The
thermoconversion process involves low temperature treatment of materials such as sludge from
the pulp and paper industry or autofluff, to produce liquid'and solid fuel products. A key
technical feature of this conversion is the formation of a byproduct oil referred to as pulp and
paper sludge derived oil (PPSDO) or autofluff oil. The thermal conversion process has been
extensively described elsewhere [9-111.
In 1992, Enersludge Inc., WTC and CANMET's Energy Research Laboratory (ERL) of
Natural Resources Canada undertook a joint R&D program. ERL investigated pyrolysis oils
obtained from autofluff and pulp and paper mill sludges. .Analytical results are presented as well
as a comparison of these oils with those obtained from tires and municipal sewage sludge.
EXPERMENTAL
A set of samples was received for each pyrolysis experiment (PPSDO and autofluff oils). The
first samples received included compounds with boiling points up to 150°C (-150°C) whereas the
second samples contained compounds boiling above 150°C (+150°C). The +150°C samples
868
I
/
were funher distilled to yield three additional fractions each. Fractionation was performed using
automated ASTM D-1160 short path distillation apparatus. Fraction cuts were selected to reflect
conventional cut points from the petroleum industry:
b 15O0C-35O"C - typical cut point for middle distillates
w 350°C-525"C - typical cut point for heavy gas oils
b +525"C - usual distillate-residue cut point
Physical and chemical analyses were performed according to appropriate ASTM methods.
The 'H, DEFT I3C and I3C data were acquired on a VARIAN XL300 operated at 300 MHz
h the 'H mode and 75 MHz in the 'F mode. The pulse sequence in DEm experiments transfers
the polarization of the hydrogen to the carbon nucleus to selectively increase its signal. The
polarization transfer effect is dependent on the number of hydrogens bonded to a given carbon
nucleus. This technique is used to distinguish between primary, secondary, tertiaty and
quaternary carbon atoms. The NMR spectra are presented in Fig. 1.
Infrared spectra were obtained using a PC-driven BOMEM MBlOO Fourier transform infrared
(WR)sp ectrometer fitted with a standard sample mounting device. The IR spectra from liquids
were collected using *a liquid cell fitted with a 13-mm diam circular window. The liquid cell
windows are made of KBr and are separated by 0.02 mm. The spectra of the 350°C-525"C
colloidal fractions were collected using the smearing technique on conventional 13-mm circular
KF3r discs. The IR spectra are presented in Fig. 2.
GUMS work was performed on a Hewlett Packard 5890 GC coupled to a medium resolution
mass spectrometer (MS). Chromatographic separation of the sample was done using a Hewlett
Packard HP-1 30 m long methyl-silicon bonded fused silica capillary column of medium
resolution fitted on the GC. This column is used for separating molecular components in a
mixture based on their boiling point. The samples were injected in the GC at 35°C then heated
to 200°C at 5"CImin. The temperature was maintained for 10 min at the end of the temperature
profile. The chromatographed compounds were identified through a MS data library search.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The +150"C liquids resembled light molasses, similar to a vacuum tower gas oil from a
petroleum refinery. The -150°C materials were brown liquids. All samples had an odour
characteristic of burnt organic matter. The lower boiling products had the strongest odour. The
-150°C oils and the 15O0C-35O0C fractions were characterized by IR, 'H & I 3 C NMR and
GCIMS.
Table 1 summarizes the fractionation results for the PPSDO and autofluff samples. For
comparison, literature data for a tire oil are also included. With an initial boiling point (IBP) of
155"C, the fractionation of the + 150°C autofluff sample yielded 90 wt % of distillate composed
of 37 wt % in the middle distillate range and 53 wt % in the heavy gas oil range. This range is
similar to that of a typical petroleum sample. The PPSDO + 150°C sample had an IBP of 102°C
and 76 wt % distillate of which 49 wt % was in the middle distillate range and 27 wt % in the
heavy gas oil range. Fractionation of the autofluff sample produced more distillate of a heavier
nature than the PPSDO. When compared to tire oil, these oils had higher IBPs because they were
condensed at a set temperature whereas the tire oil was not. Therefore we cannot compare the
distillate yields further.
During fractionation of the PPSDO +15O"C sample, the maximum distillate temperature was
501°C due to the limitation of the pot temperature (4OOOC) from the automatic apparatus used for
the distillation. The material loss was 6.0 wt % due to distillate that was trapped in the column
and in the condenser. The trapped distillate was so waxy that heating the condenser to a
maximum temperature of 80°C in order to recover some distillate was unsuccessful.
The samples were also analyzed using a series of tests commonly used for fuel analysis.
Table 2 shows the results as well as literature data for sludge derived oil (SDO), tire oil, No2
diesel fuel and No.6 fuel oil. The heat of combustion values for the sludge derived materials
namely, PPSDO and SDO, are significantly lower, and their densities at 15°C are higher than
the corresponding values for the autofluff oil, tire oil and the two fuels.
Table 2 also gives elemental analysis of the samples. Clearly, PPSDO and SDO produced oils
having a lower carbon content. However, their HIC ratios are still comparable to the other data
mainly due to their lower hydrogen content. Heteroatom levels, particularly N and 0, are very
high when compared with the other oils. Pour points of these pyrolysis oils fall in the fuel oil
range and are much higher than diesel oils.
Figure 1 shows the proton-decoupled I3C NMR spectra of two autofluff and two PPSDO oil
fractions. The spectrum of the -150°C autofluff fraction exhibited a signal at 45 ppm associated
with the -CH,-O- group, an assignment confirmed by I3C DEFT NMR (not shown). This
869
functional group is absent in the -150°C PPDSO fraction. The spectrum of the -150°C PPSDO
fiaction shows a signal at 182 ppm assigned to COOH carbons. No carbonyl signal was observed
in the C=O region of the -150°C autofluff fraction spectrum.
A comparison of the NMR spectra of the high boiling point fractions in Fig. 1 revealed
significant differences. The spectrum of the PPSDO fraction shows many signals in the 170-
180 ppm region due to various -COO(R,H) carbons. No signal was observed in the -COO- region
of the autofluff fraction spectrum. Signals in the 150-160 ppm range on both spectra are due to
the oxygen-bonded aromatic carbon in phenols. Signals in the 110-115 ppm region on the
autofluff spectrum were assigned to terminal =CH,'s in olefinic structures by I3C DEW NMR.
Figure 2 shows the infrared spectra of selected autofluff and PPSDO fractions. The PPSDO
spectra display absorptions in the 3200-3600 cm-' region which are more intense than in the
autofluff fractions. This intensity also is accompanied by stronger and more complex carbonyl
vibration band patterns in the PPSDO's than in the autofluff spectra. This indicates and confirms
the presence of carboxylic acids suggested by NMR. Another difference between these two types
of oils can be observed in the autofluff fraction spectra which display weak but well resolved
olefinic and aromatic =C-H stretching and bending mode bands. This suggests the presence of
significantly higher amounts of aromatic and olefinic compounds in the autofluff oil fractions.
Table 3 lists GUMS derived compound type distributions in the low and high temperature
PPSDO and autofluff oil fractions. Table 3 indicates that:
1) PPSDO fractions contained carboxylic acids;
2) autofluff fractions are more aromatic and olefinic than PPSDO fractions;
3) low temperature fractions are more aromatic than high temperature fractions;
4) high temperature fractions contain more alcohols than low temperature fractions;
5) high temperature PPSDO fraction contains a significant amount of nitriles.
CONCLUSIONS
Our study has shown that pyrolysis oils and their derived fractions are very complex mixtures
of compounds including significant proportions of aromatics and olefins as well as nitriles,
alcohols and ketones. In addition, carboxylic acids were found in PPSDO. Pyrolysis oil's heat
of combustion and density values fall within the normal fuel oil range.
The high content of olefins and aromatics of these oils and their high HIC ratios would suggest
possibilities as feedstocks for low cost, large volume surfactant utilization. The surfactants could
be produced by sulphonation or sulphation reactions. A large-scale use would be for enhanced
oil recovery for both conventional and heavy oil/bituminous sands and for cleaning heavy bunker
oil pipelines. Also for PPSDO, polymerization in asphalt could be performed to improve asphalt
cement quality for adhesion to aggregates due to its high nitrogen content.
The low sulphur content and the high heating value of the autofluff sample suggest it could
be utilized as a liquid fuel, possibly by blending it with fuels of petroleum origin in order to lower
the sulphur level. While the autofluff oil cannot be considered as a diesel fuel, it could be
considered as a blending agent for use with a No.6 fuel oil. The autofluff characteristics resemble
those of the No.6 fuel oil more than those of diesel.
'
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors wish to thank WTC for its financial and technical support and the assistance
in interpreting the results of this work. The authors acknowledge the technical assistance and
contributions of the staff of the Fuel Quality Assessment Section and Dr. Heather Dettman and
Mr. Gary Smiley for providing the NMR and GUMS spectra, respectively. Federal support of
this work was provided through the Federal Program on Energy Research and Development
(PERD).
REFERENCES
I. Crawford, G.V., Black, S., Miyamoto, H. and Liver, S., "Equipment selection and disposal
of biological sludges from pulp and paper operations", PUID & Paoer Canada 94:4:37-39,
April 1993.
Springer, A.M. "Bioprocessing of pulp and paper mill effluents - past, present and future",
Paoeri ia DUU DaDer and timber 75:3:156-161, 1993.
Gamer, J.W. "Activated sludge treatment gains popularity for improving effluent,
Salib, P. "Evaluation of circulating fluidized bed combustion of pulp and paper mill sludges",
Contract mort Bioenerm DeveloDment Proeram DSS Contract No.: 23216-8-9056/01SZ.
RPC, Fredericton, NB, Canada, October 1991.
Day, M. "Auto Shredder Residue - Characterization of a solid waste problem", NRCC
Soecial Reoort EC123992.3, NRC Institute for Environmental Chemistry, 1992.
2.
3.
4.
64:2:158-163, February 1990.
5.
870
a
6. Voyer, R. "Etude technico-iconomique et environnementale des pmCdis de traitement de
risidus des carcasses d'automobiles", CRIO Report VPOIT-91-098, Centre de recherche
industrielle du Quibec, 1992.
Pritchard, T. "The over 75% solution", Globe and Mail Reoort on Business, December
1992 issue.
Braslaw, J., Melotik, D.J., Gealer, R.L. and Wingfield, Jr, R.C. "Hydrocarbon generation
during the inert gas pyrolysis of automobile shredder waste", Thermochimica Acta 186: 1:l-
18, 1991.
Martinoli, D.A. "Converting sewage sludge into liquid hydrocarbon - the OFS process",
Hydrocarbon Residues and Waste: Conversion and Utilization Seminar, Edmonton, Alberta,
Canada, September 4-5, 1991.
10. Campbell, H.W. and Bridle, T.R. "Sludge management by thermal conversion to fuels",
Proc. New Directions and Research in Waste Treatment and Residuals Management,
Vancouver, 1985.
11. Campbell, H.W. and Martinoli, D.A. "A status report on Environment Canada's oil from
sludge technology", hoc. Status of Municipal Sludge Management for the 1990% WPCF
Specialty Conference, New Orleans, 1990.
12. Mirrniran, S., Ph.D. Thesis, Department of Chemical Engineering, UniversitC Laval,
Quebec, Canada, 1994.
13. Kriz J.F. et al. "Characterization of sludge derived oil and evaluation of utilization options",
Division Report ERL 90-50 (CF), November 1990.
14. Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, 3rd Edition, vol. 11, John Wiley &
15. Personal communication, September 1993.
7.
8.
9.
sons, p. 357.
Table 1 - D-I160 fractionation results of pyrolysis oil samples.
Fraction PPSDO A u t o f l u f f T i r e o i l '
IBP ("C) 102 155 37
1BP-350"C (wt X ) 49 37 56
350°C-5250Cz ( w t X ) 27 53 37
Total (IBP-525"C) (wt %) 76 90 93
Residue (+525"C) (wt X) 18 8 7
Loss ( w t X ) 63 2 nla'
Water (wt I) trace 0 n/a
Table 2 - Physical and chemical analysis data of pyrolysis oil samples and petroleum fuels.
Analysi S PPSDO Autofluff SLN5 Tire o i l ' No.2 No.6
Calorific value (MJIk9) 32.1 41 8 35.3 43 44.9 42.3
(1000 btu/lb) 13.8 18.0 15.2 18.5 19.3 18.2
Density @ 15°C (k91m3) 1073.2 931.1 24' 0 -6 -40 0
' Data from reference [12] * End-point for distillation of PPSDO: 501°C and for tire oil: 469°C
Large loss due to distillate trapped in column and condenser
nla: not available
Data from reference [I31
Data from references [14-15]
as > 2 4 T
' Film formed on top preventing pouring of sample. Thus the pour point was reported
811 Y
Table 3 - Compound type distribution in selected pyrolysis oil fractions by GUMS.
Compound type -150°C -150°C 102-350°C 150-350°C
PPSDO AUTOFLUFF PPSDO AUTOFLUFF
Alcohols 8.8 10.8 14.7 12.6
A1 dehydes 3.7 0.5 1.3
Amines 2.4 3.2 0.9
Amides 3.1 2.7 1.1
Aromatics 10.2 48.7 5.2 18.2
Carboxylic acids 27.8 6.0
Epoxides 0.6
Esters 0.5 0.2 ' 0.4
Ethers 0.8 1.2 0.5
Heterocyclics 5.7 7.1 2.3
Ketones 2.8 6.8 4.4 5.1
Nitro 0.1
Olefins 11.7 14.9 6.6 24.0
Paraffins 14.6 9.7 8.9 29.5
Total 89.5 100.1 78.2 98.7
N i t r i l e s 1.6 5.0 17.4 2.2
, , I &-I5OoC(A)
Fig. 1 - "C NMR regions (0-60 and 100-200 ppm) of selected autofluff (A) & PPSDO (p)
fractions.
Y
4000 3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000 5001
Wovenumbers (cm- 1 )
Fig. 2 - IR spectra of selected autofluff (A) & PPSDO (p) fractions
a n
CATALYTIC PYROLYSIS OF AUTOMOBILE SHREDDER RESIDUE
/
I
Gregory G. Arzoumanidis. Michael J. McIntosh,
Eric J. Steffensen. Matthew J. McKee, and Timothy Donahugh
Energy Systems Division, Building 362
Argonne National Laboratory
Argonne, Illinois 60439
Keywords: Catalytic Pyrolysis, Plastics, Automobile Recycling
MTRODUCTION
In the United States, approximately 10 million automobiles are scrapped and shredded
each year. The mixture of plastics and other materials remaining after recovery of the metals is
known as Automobile Shredder Residue (ASR). In 1994, about 3.5 million tons of ASR was
produced and disposed of in landfills. However, environmental. legislative, and economic
considerations are forcing the industry to search for recycling or other alternatives to disposal
(1.2).
Numerous studies have been done relating the ASR disposal problem to possible
recycling treatments such as pyrolysis, gasification, co-liquefaction of ASR with coal, chemical
recovery of plastics from ASR (3). catalytic pyrolysis (4). reclamation in molten salts (5). and
vacuum pyrolysis (6). These and other possibilities have been studied intensively, and entire
symposia have been devoted to the problem (3). Product mix, yields. toxicology issues, and
projected economics of conceptual plant designs based on experimental results are. among the key
elements of past studies. Because the kinds of recycling methods that may be developed, along
with their ultimate economic value, depend on a very large number of variables, these studies
have been open-ended. It is hoped that it may be useful to explore some of thesd previously
studied areas from fresh perspectives. One such approach, currently under development at
Argonne National Laboratory, is the catalytic pyrolysis of ASR.
EXPERIMENTAL METHOD
To eliminate variability due to nonuniform sampling, testing was begun using a "synthetic
ASR" made up from pure materials on the basis of a best estimate of the inert-free ASR
composition (Table 1). For the catalytic studies, pyrolysis occurs in a ceramic tube reactor
inserted into the 30-cm heating zone of an elecmc furnace. The ASR is positioned in the reactor
by means of an inconnel sample holder. Tiiidtenipenture profile is controlled by
microprocessor. The majority of experinients are conducted using the profile shown in Figure 1.
Faster rdtes of pyrolysis correspond to the profile in Figure 2.
Liquids are collected in a series of three condensers, the first water-cooled, the others
cooled by glycol at -20°C. Liquids are analyzed by GC/MS. Product gas samples are collected
on-line in steel containers and analyzed by comparison with GC standards, using a 25-m X 0.53-
mm fused silica column coated by Poraplot U, available from Chrompack. The gas mixtures are
further analyzed by FTIR.
For kinetic studies, a smaller tube and a furnace with a 15-cm heating zone are used. The
ASR sample is usually 10 gm. 'Ihe reactor weight is continuously monitored by a sensitive
transducer. The weight increase of a condenser is monitored by a second transducer. The
time/iemperature profile inside the reactor can be more accurately controlled in this smaller
system. The profile, giving the results presented below, was ramped from ambient to 700°C in
60 min and maintained at 700°C for 100 min. With this equipment, a continuous time/mass
profile is obtained of the reactor residue, liquids condensed, and gases produced.
RESULTS
Catalydc pyrolysis of synthetic ASR was conducted in the presence of several oxides,
monrmorillonite, and ASR char (Table 2). The amount of gases produced (determined by
difference) varied within a rather narrow range. The amount of CO, in the sample was determined
by using an ascarite-filled trap. The total amount of CO, from uncatalyzed reactions is usually 6-
9% of the synthetic ASR weight. In one case, 18% CO, was obtained, but the pyrolysis was run
in the presence of Fe,O,, and oxidation of carbon by the metal oxide is likely.
Three gas samples were obtained at three different temperatures during each experiment.
The first sample was collected at 400-440"C pyrolysis temperature, the second at 500"C, and the
third at 650°C. GC analyses of the first samples gave the distribution of gases shown in Table 3.
The relative amounts of each separate gaseous hydrocarbon in the table vary widely, showing the
large effect of catalyst on gas yields. Despite this variability, certain trends are clear. Most
interesting is the large amount of CH$I formed in the fust sample, in one case as high as 90% of
the gases. Because a preliminary survey of the pyrolysis literature yielded no reports of this
phenomenon. we proceeded with caution despite positive GC and FTIR identification of CH,CI.
Accordingly, experiments were conducted on synthetic ASR, with its only chlorine-containing
873
material, PVC, removed. These tests produced essentially no CH,CI. In these experiments, CH,
in the frst gas sample was at its highest level (23%). It was also found that addition of NaCO, to
the pyrolysis reaction reduces CH,CI formation and increases the level of CH, in the fmt stage.
Given these results, the information in Table 3 offers several clues concerning the mechanism and
kinetics of ASR pyrolysis. These are discussed below. Interestingly, the relative amounts of the
pyrolysis gases from the second (500°C) and third (650°C) samples do not change appreciably,
as indicated in Table 4. Changes in the relative amounts of the gases during the duration of the
pyrolysis are estimated in Figure 3. This illustrates the large effect of the pyrolysis timd
temperature profile on gas product distribution. Several investigators have noticed different
product dish-ibutions under a variety of experimental conditions (2a). However, a direct effect of
the profile is now clearly seen in the figure. This result raises the possibility that the distribution
and composition of gaseous and liquid products can be manipulated by variation of the
time/temperature profile. This possibility, which could be of economic importance, is now under
investigation.
As shown in Table 2, the residual solids (char) yield varied with catalyst type but
remained in the range of 23-33% of the initial ASR weight. Lower levels of char yield translate
into higher amounts of liquids, possibly an economically desirable effect. A number of binary
oxides containing ZnO as one of the catalyst components appear to reduce the formation of char.
Other additives (magnesium titanate, zirconate. Fe,O,, montmorilonite) do not yield results very
different from the control run without catalyst. The effects of CuO and TiO,.SiO, also are
marginal. In evaluating a commercial ASR recycling process, low cost is of foremost importance.
Expensive catalysts, such as the binary oxides of Table 2, are not likely to prove directly useful.
The incentive for studying these more expensive materials is to gain an understanding of possible
effects, which may aid in the development of cheaper catalysts.
Two classes of liquids are formed by the pyrolysis of ASR. The organic class contains
over 50 organic compounds, as analyzed by GC/MS, and the aqueous class contains water and
water-soluble oxygenates, primarily acids and alcohols. Water may be physically present in the
ASR or may be. produced chemically by primary or secondary pyrolysis reactions (see
discussion). Chlorine-containing compounds could not be detected by GC/MS in either liquid
class. Production of chlorine-free liquid is a desirable feature of a commercial ASR reclamation
process if the liquid is to be used as fuel. In this case, it is also desirable to increase the yield of
the organic class of liquid. The effects of various catalysts and pyrolysis conditions on
maximizing organic liquids are currently under investigation.
DISCUSSION
The pyrolysis of each separate ASR component has ken extensively studied by
numerous investigators, and mechanisms have been proposed (7). These mechanisms are
polymer-structure-dependent and may differ within the same class of polymers. For example,
thermal degradation of polyurethanes may occur by three different types of hydrogen transfer: NH,
a-CH, and p-CH, depending on the exact monomeric and polymeric structure of the
pyrolyzing material (8). It is generally recognized that pyrolysis in a highly reducing environment
proceeds via a radical mechanism. Detailed discussion of these mechanisms is beyond the scope
of this paper.
The mechanism of ASR pyrolysis is very complex. Single products (e& methane and
other aliphatic hydrocarbons) may be formed via different mechanisms, depending on the rype
and structure. of the polymer of origin. Therefore, it is difficult to present a unified mechanism by
observation of pyrolysis products alone. An important consideration, however, is the range of
different temperatures at which degradation begins for each type of polymer. Polyurethanes may
start degrading just above 200°C (7). Removal of HCI from PVC takes place at a relatively low
temperature, and it is completed almost before the degradation of the hydrocarbon backbone
begins (9). Similar observations may be made for other reactions, such as decarboxylation of
nylon, polyesters, polyurethanes and acrylics, formation of chemical water from wood and
paper, etc. Thus, it is reasonable to assume that each polymer begins the pyrolysis process
individually, based on its own structural and thermodynamic character.
One of the key roles of catalysts is to lower the decomposition temperature by lowering
the activation energy for some reactions. A single catalyst will not cause the same decrease of
activation energy for all reactions of all ASR components. It is likely the main reason for the wide
variation of the reIative amounts of products in the fmt gas sample (Table 3) is he variability of
catalyst effects as the temperature reaches a level where the most facile reactions are fairly rapid.
However, most of the ASR polymers, after losing such weak-link components as CO HCI, and bo. revert to mostly hydrocarbon backbones, which likely are very similar. This progably is the
reason for the limited variations in the product distribution of the second and third gas samples
(Table 4).
From the above discussion, at least two distinct stages in the pyrolysis of ASR are
hypothesized. The fust stage ends at about 300°C. and the second. in our case, continues up to
\
a74
I
700°C. Preliminary experiments suggest that most of the CO,, CO. H,O, CH,CI, and possibly
some nitmgen-containing components are being released in the first stage. 'Significantly, these
materials carry most of the hetero-atoms that may interfere with the overall quality of useful ASR
PyrOlYSiS products.
The formation of CH,CI in relatively high concenmtions during the fust stage offers an
indirect view of the reactions occurring during synthetic ASR pyrolysis. It is postulated that H a
released from PVC attacks N-containing polymers, such as polyurethane, to form quaternary
cationic nitrogen species; this is followed by scission of the polymer chain t h u g h CO,
elimination, with subsequent formation of an olefinic end-group and an amine, as described
earlier (8). The amine, most likely containing an N-CH, moiety (S), is further a m k d by HCI to
fom a second, low-MW quaternary salt that decomposes to yield CH,CI.
To test the two-stage pyrolysis hypothesis, separate first- and second-stage pyrolysis
experiments are. under way. The products from each stage are recovered, and the residue from the
first pyrolysis stage is used as starting material for the second. Preliminary results indicate that
the fmt residue is about 75% by weight of the synthetic ASR charged. The first-stage liquids azz
mostly of the aqueous class: about SO-%% of the total CO, is released, and more than 90% of the
CH,CI is released. Only very low levels of gaseous hydrocarbons form during the fust stage.
Most of the oxygen is IWKIV~~ in the fust stage in the form of CO,, CO, and H,O, so seconday
reactions of these inorganics with the residue are. minimized (10). Therefore, second-stage
pyrolysis yields primarily organic liquids and a gas rich in olefinic and paraffinic hydrocarbons.
A conceptual, two-stage ASR pyrolysis process that segregates the products from the two
stages is envisioned It could produce commodity methyl chloride in the first stage and valuable
feedstock chemicals in the second stage. The potential for producing products from ASR
pyrolysis more valuable than liquid fuel may thus be possible.
The above possibilities suggest a need to determine ASR pyrolysis kinetics
experimentally. The smaller reactor system described in the experimental section was developed
and operated for this purpose. In a universal reaction scheme that seems to fit the kinetic data, six
universal reactions and five universal reactants and products in ASR pyrolysis are assumed: fresh
ASR 0, gaseous products (G),u nvaporized liquids (L), solid residue (S) , and condensed
liquids (C). The sum of F, L, and S (denoted as R) is retained in the reactor and monitored by the
fust transducer, Cis monitored by the second uansducer, and the weight of gases is obtained by
difference. The results of an early ASR pyrolysis run are graphically presented in Figure 4. These
results are correlated by the following simple scheme of universal reactions:
G
+--de f 4
F r-
1.25 A), while the latter has a high efficiency for collecting hard X rays ( A < 1.25 A).
Wavelength dispersive x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy was used to measure the abundances
of the inorganic species in the tire before processing and to analyze the removal efficiency
of the different liquids for these inorganics.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The resulting TDP's had surface areas in 0.1-2.0 mm2 range.
ANALYSIS OF THE TIRE CHUNKS. The wavelength dispersive XRF spectrum (using
Cr radiation and the gas proportional counter) of an untreated tire chunk is shown in Figure
1. The spectrum contains peaks due to zinc (AK, = 1.436 A) calcium (AK, = 3.359 A),
and sulfur (AK, = 5.373 A). The chromium peak (A = 2.290 A) in the WDXRF spectrum
is due to the.use of chromium as the exciting radiation (tube) for the experiments.
Chromium produces "soft" X rays which do not penetrate deeply into the rubbery portion
of the scrap tire. Consequently, the x-ray peak due to iron (AK, = 1.937 A) is barely
discernible in the spectrum.
Shown in Figure 2 is the WDXRF spectrum of the same tire chunk using a scintillation
counter rather than a gas proportional counter for x-ray detection and a molybdenum (AK,
= 0.711 A) radiation source. A small peak due to bromine (AK, = 1.041 A) is clearly
discernible, along with the Mo peak. There is, of course, no chromium peak in this
spectrum.
When the steel belts were removed from the rubbery section of the tire, ground to a
powder, and then submitted to our XRF analysis, the peaks due to iron, copper and zinc are
clearly discernible.
TREATMENT WITH THE PROCESS LIQUIDS. The four liquids had different effects
on the tire chunks. The n-methyl pyrrolidinone is absorbed into the tire chunk, causing the
rubbery portion of the tire to swell. NMP cleaves the adhesion between the rubbery portion
of the tire and the steel belts, while the'tire chunk becomes very brittle and easily grindable.
It proved difficult to recover the NMP from the tire chunks.
Concentrated nitric acid degrades the tire chunk into particles& dissolves the steel belts.
The WDXRF spectrum of the resulting TDP is shown in Figure 3. Comparison of the
WDXRF spectra of the untreated tire to that of the TDP indicates that the zinc, calcium,
and sulfur abundances have been drastically reduced in the TDP by the nitric acid treatment
at ambient conditions. Lengthening the time of treatment results in complete removal of
the unwanted inorganics.
Figure 4 shows the WDXRF spectrum of the residue produced by evaporating the nitric acid
filtrate to dryness. The characteristic peaks due to the metal species are provided in this
spectrum, verifying the absence of the unwanted inorganics in the TDP. The large iron peak
is due to the fact that the nitric acid dissolves the steel belts.
Comparison of the intensities of the zinc peaks in Figures 1,3, and 4 indicates that the mass
balance for zinc in these three samples is not well established and/or that the
enhancement/absorption effects for the Zn peaks cannot be ignored in these samples.
Treatment with 50% hydrogen peroxide at ambient conditions does not degrade the tire
chunks nearly as rapidly as does the nitric acid treatment. This treatment also extracts the
inorganic% which are subsequently found in the residue evaporated from the filtrate. This
method also attacks the steel belts, as evidenced by the large iron peaks in the WDXRF of
the residue from the evaporate.
880
1 '
Concentrated sulfuric acid degrades the tire chunks almost as well as the nitric acid at
ambient conditions but does not dissolve the steel belts. The steel belts may, then be
removed easily (and essentially in tact) from the rubbery portion of the tire and collected
on the stir bar. Comparison of the WDXRF intensities indicates that the sulfuric acid did
not remove the zinc, calcium, or sulfur at ambient conditions.
A summary of current results is presented in Table I. Additional results will be discussed.
CONCLUSIONS
Tires chunks may be treated at ambient conditions with different liquids, producing different
effects. The unwanted inorganics can be extracted from the tire chunks, leaving a TDP with
a high carbon and hydrogen content and a greatly reduced surface area. Wavelength
dispersive x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy may be used to monitor the reduction in
abundances of each of the unwanted inorganics. Altering the conditions of the WDXRF
experiment provides different information about the distribution of inorganics in the tire
chunk and the TDP's.
REFERENCES
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Ray
US. Environmental Protection Agency. Scrap Tire Handbook Effective
Management Alternatives to Scrap Tire Disposal in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan,
Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin. 1994.
Transportation Research. Uses of Recycled Rubber Tires in Highways. 1994.
Liu, Z., Zondlo, J.W., and Dadyburjor, D.B., Energy and Fuels, 1994 (8) 607.
Sopek, D.J. and Justice, A.L. in "Clean Energy from Waste & Coal", M.R. Khan,
Am. Chem. SOC., 1991.
Jenkins, R., "X-Ray Spectrometry", John Wiley & Sons, NY, 1988.
Rousseau, R. M., "A Practical XRF Calibration Procedure", 43"' Annual Denver XConference,
Steamboat Springs, CO. 1994.
I
DOE-EPSCoR Graduate Fellow.
TABLE I. EFFECTS OF LIQUIDS OF SCRAP TIRE PARAMETERS.
LIQUID INORGANIC FATE OF CONDITION
USED REMOVAL STEEL BELT OF LIQUID
Zn Ca S ADHESIONS
NMP no effect cleaved absorbed
into rubber
nitric acid E E E dissolved recyclable
sulfuric acid no effect cleaved recyclable
hydrogen peroxide E E E dissolved recyclable
/
I
E Extracted by the liquid.
881
I
150000 -
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110
BRBPHITE MONOCHROMATOR ANBLE
FIGURE 1. WDFF SPECTRUM OF UNTREATED TIRE CHUNKS; Cr/GPC.
150000 -
m OFT X-RAY CUT-OFF
0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 l
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110
ERAPHITE MONOCHROMATOR ANELE
FIGURE 2. WDXRF SPECTRUM OF UNTREATED TIRE CHUNK; Mo/SC.
150000 -
100000 - I
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110
ERAPHITE HONOCHROMATOR ANELE
FIGURE 3. WDXRF SPECTRUM OF TDP FROM THE NITRIC ACID TREATMENT,
CrIGPC.
882
150000 -
0
50000 -
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110
BRAPHITE MONOCHROMATOR ANBLE
FIGURE 4. WDXRF SPECTRUM OF RESIDUE FROM NITRIC ACID TREATMENT;
Cr/GPC.
250000 -
200000 -
150000 - .n
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110
BRAPHITE MONOCHROMATOR ANBLE
FIGURE 5. WDXRF SPECTRUM OF THE FILTRATE RESIDUE FROM THE 50%
HYDROGEN PEROXIDE TREATMENT, Cr/GPC.
f
883
THE GROWING NEED FOR RISK ANALYSIS
C.C. Lee and G.L. Huffman
Risk Reduction Engineering Laboratory
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Cincinnati, OH 45268
Keywords: Risk analysis, Risk assessment, Risk management
ABSTRACT
Risk analysis has been increasingly receiving a t t e n t i o n i n making environmental
decisions. For example, i n i t s May 18, 1993 Combustion Strategy announcement,
EPA required t h a t any issuance o f a new hazardous waste combustion permit be
preceded by the performance o f a complete ( d i r e c t and i n d i r e c t ) r i s k assessment.
This new requirement i s a major challenge t o many 'engineers who are
involved i n waste i n c i n e r a t i o n a c t i v i t i e s . This Paper presents the h i g h l i g h t s
o f what i s required f o r ' a r i s k analysis from a p r a c t i c a l engineering point o f
view. It provides t h e regulatory basis f o r it to provide the r a t i o n a l e as t o
why r i s k analysis i s needed.
INTRODUCTION
"Nothing would be done at a l l i f a man waited till he could do it so well t h a t
no one could f i n d f a u l t with i t " - - C a r d i n a l Jewman. Cardina; Newman's statement
i s very pertinent t o the subject o f Risk Analysis. The assessment o f
environmental r i s k s posed t o human health i s an i n c r e d i b l y complex undertaking.
Because of t h i s complexity, it i s very d i f f i c u l t t o do much more than i d e n t i f y
sources and effects o f p o t e n t i a l concern and, i n a rough manner, t o quantify
transport along major pathways (Martin-86). I n addition, r i s k analysis has
been b a s i c a l l y developed by s c i e n t i s t s . This makes it more d i f f i c u l t f o r
zngineers t o apply the r i s k models developed by these s c i e n t i s t s t o t h e i r
real-world'' waste treatment problems, because o f the d i f f e r e n t d i s c i p l i n e s and
terminologies involved.
B a s i c a l l y , t h e authors used the documents contained i n the "References Section"
t o derive the information f o r t h i s Paper. The objective o f t h i s Paper i s t o
summarize the h i g h l i g h t s o f what i s required f o r a r i s k analysis from a
p r a c t i c a l engineering point o f view. It emphasizes the documentation o f r i s k
analysis requirements from various environmental statutes. The purpose i s t o
establish the regulatory basis r e l a t i v e t o why r i s k analysis i s needed, and
how r i s k analysis should be conducted. It i s believed t h a t the understanding
of the s t a t u t o r y provisions i s important and that the only way t o formulate the
proper r i s k analysis approach i s t o comply with the regulatory requirements
under t h e s p e c i f i c environmental laws t h a t apply. For example, i n the past,
r i s k assessments were not required f o r obtaining a hazardous waste i n c i n e r a t i o n
permit. However, i n i t s May 18, 1993 Combustion Strategy announcement, EPA
required t h a t any issuance o f a new hazardous waste combustion permit be
preceded by a complete d i r e c t and i n d i r e c t r i s k assessment (EPA-93/5). This
new requirement i s a major challenge t o many engineers who are involved i n
waste i n c i n e r a t i o n a c t i v i t i e s .
REGULATORY BASIS FOR RISK ASSESSMENT
Risk i s the p r o b a b i l i t y o f i n j u r y , disease, or death under s p e c i f i c
circumstances (Lee-92/6). Risk assessment i s a cornerstone o f environmental
decision-making. EPA defines r i s k assessment as: (1) the determination o f the
kind and degree of hazard posed by an agent (such as a harmful substance); ( 2 )
t h e extent t o which a p a r t i c u l a r group o f people has been or may be exposed t o
the agent; and (3) the present or p o t e n t i a l health r i s k t h a t e x i s t s due t o the
agent (Lee-92/6). Risk assessment i s a complex process by which s c i e n t i s t s
determine the harm t h a t an i n d i v i d u a l substance can i n f l i c t on human health or
the environment. For human h e a l t h r i s k assessment, the process takes place i n
a series o f four major steps as follows (EPA-90/6; NAC-83):
(1) Hazard i d e n t i f i c a t i o n : In i d e n t i f y i n g hazards, two kinds o f data are
gathered and evaluated: (A) data on the types o f health i n j u r y or disease
that may be produced by a chemical; and (B) data on the conditions of
exposure under which i n j u r y or disease i s produced. The behavior o f a
chemical w i t h i n the body and the i n t e r a c t i o n s it undergoes with organs,
c e l l s , or even parts of c e l l s may also be characterized. Such data may
be of value i n answering t h e u l t i m a t e question o f whether the forms of
t o x i c i t y known t o be produced by a substance i n one population group or
i n experimental settings are also l i k e l y t o be produced i n humans.
(2) Dose-response assessment: The next step i n r i s k assessment describes the
r e l a t i o n s h i p between the amount of exposure t o a substance and the extent
of t o x i c i n j u r y or disease. Even where good epidemiological studies have
been conducted, r e l i a b l e q u a n t i t a t i v e data on exposure i n humans are
r a r e l y available. Thus, in most cases, dose-response r e l a t i o n s h i p s must
884
f
r'
f
be estimated from studies i n animals, which immediately raises three
Serious problems: (A) animals are usually exposed at high doses, and
effects at low doses must be predicted by using theories about the form
Of the dose-response relationship; (B) animals and humans o f t e n d i f f e r
i n s u s c e p t i b i l i t y (if only because o f differences i n size and
metabolism); and (C) the hu an population i s heterogeneous, so some
individuals are l i k e l y t o be
(3) Human exposure assessment: Assessment o f human exposure requires
estimation o f the number o f people exposed and the magnitude, duration,
and timing of t h e i r exposure. The assessment could include past
exposures, current exposures, or exposures a n t i c i p a t e d i n t h e f u t u r e .
I n some cases, measuring human exposure d i r e c t l y , e i t h e r by measuring
levels of the hazardous agents i n the ambient environment or by using
personal monitors, i s f a i r l y straightforward. I n most cases, however,
detailed knowledge i s required of t h e f a c t o r s t h a t control human
exposure, including those factors that determine the behavior o f the
agent a f t e r i t s release i n t o the environment.
(4) Risk characterization: The f i n a l step i n r i s k assessment combines the
information gained and analysis performed during t h e f i r s t three stepes
to determine the l i k e l i h o o d that humans w i l l experience any o f the
various forms of t o x i c i t y associated with a substance. The r i s k
characterization then becomes one o f the factors considered i n deciding
whether and how the substance w i l l be regulated.
I n the 198Os, as health r i s k assessment became more widely used across U.S. €PA
programs, the need f o r consensus and consistency i n the areas o f hazard
i d e n t i f i c a t i o n and dose-response assessment became clear. I n 1986, €PA work
groups were convened t o establish consensus positions on a chemical -by-chemical
basis f o r those substances o f common i n t e r e s t and t o develop a system f o r
communicating t h e positions t o €PA r i s k assessors and r i s k managers. This
e f f o r t resulted i n the creation o f EPA's Integrated Risk Information System
(IRIS) i n 1986. I n 1988, the I R I S was made available t o the public.
I R I S c u r r e n t l y contains summaries o f EPA human health hazard information that
support two o f the four steps--hazard i d e n t i f i c a t i o n and dose-response
evaluation--of the r i s k assessment process. It c u r r e n t l y contains information
on approximately 500 s p e c i f i c substances. Questions such as "what i s the
potential human health hazard o f exposure t o benzene?" and "what are the
possible cancer and/or non-cancer e f f e c t s ? " can f i n d answers from IRIS (EPA-
93/1).
A key factor a f f e c t i n g t h e regulatory coverage o f a statute i s the d e f i n i t i o n
of the substances subject t o regulation. The statutes use several des;riptive
terms, n o t necessarily having the same meaning, t o i d e n t i f y harmful
substances." These include p o l l u t a n t , t o x i c pol 1 utant, hazardous substance,
contaminant, hazardous material, and hazardous waste. The Toxic Substances
Control Act (TSCA), for example, defines "chemical substances" and "mixtures"
subject t o regulation i f certain c r i t e r i a are met; the Federal Insecticide,
Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and the Marine Protection, Research, and
Sanctuaries ,pet (MPRSA) specify categories o f substances [FIFRA defining
"pesticides, and MPRSA "materials"].
I n general, three aspects of r i s k are addressed i n each statute. They are:
type o f harm, type of r i s k , and required considerations between the chemical
and the harm that may r e s u l t (Martin-86).
TvDe o f Harm: The type of harm i s usually e x p l i c i t l y described by terms
t h a t d e f i n e the chemicals or the substances to be addressed (e.g., a
hazardous substance t h a t may cause i n j u r y t o health or the environment).
The harm components of a statute's r i s k d e f i n i t i o n generally consist of
a d e s c r i p t i o n o f an undesired outcome (death, i n j u r y ) and/or a
d e s c r i p t i o n of the population (public, w i l d l i f e ) a t r i s k or t h e objective
o f t h e r e g u l a t i o n , such as protection o f the environment.
TvDe o f Risk: Considering r i s k when developing f e d e r a l regulations encompasses
the p r o b a b i l i t y of harm occurring. The p r o b a b i l i t y of harm
presented by a chemical may be considered zero, i n s i g n i f i c a n t , or
s i g n i f i c a n t . A term such as " s i g n i f i c a n t r i s k " w i l l then be addressed
by the rule-making process.
Reouired Considerations: The statutory language may guide the designation
and s e t t i n g o f technical or control standards for e x p l i c i t l y specifying
a basis f o r making regulatory decisions and also f o r i n d i c a t i n g what
factors must be, may be, or may not be considered when developing
regulations. The statutes discuss the amount of protection o r r i s k
reductions t o be addressed through the issuance o f standards "necessary,
885
, 7o re suscept ible than the average.
"adequate," or " s u f f i c i e n t " t o p r o t e c t h e a l t h or the environment by
providing detailed guidance (e.g., ample margin o f safety) and/or by
prescribing p a r t i a l factors (e.g., r i s k and cost) that must be
considered.
REGULATORY BASIS FOR RISK MANAGEMENT
EPA i s responsible f o r implementing environmental statutes. Although, the
s t a t u t e s g e n e r a l l y do not prescribe r i s k assessment methodologies, many
environmental laws do provide very s p e c i f i c r i s k management d i r e c t i v e s , and
these d i r e c t i v e s vary from statute t o statute. EPA defines r i s k management as
the process o f evaluating a1 t e r n a t i v e r e g u l a t o r y and non-regulatory responses
t o r i s k and selecting among them. The selection process necessarily requires
the consideration o f l e g a l , economic and social factors (Lee-92/6).
Statutory r i s k management mandates can be roughly c l a s s i f i e d i n t o three
categories: (1) pure r i s k ; (2) technology-based standards; and (3) reasonableness
o f r i s k balanced with benefits (EPA-93/1).
(1) Pure-Risk Standards
Pure-risk standards are, sometimes, termed z e r o - r i s k standards. This
category allows an adequate margin o f safety, however, requires the
protection o f public health without regard to technology or cost factors.
For example, the National Ambient A i r Q u a l i t y Standards (NAAQS) o f the
Clean A i r Act belong t o t h i s category.
(2) Technology-Based Standards
Technology-based environmental standards focus on the effectiveness and
costs o f a l t e r n a t i v e control technologies rather than on how control
actions could a f f e c t r i s k s . For example, i n d u s t r i a l water p o l l u t i o n
standards, where the i n s t a l l a t i o n of a s i n g l e c o n t r o l system can reduce
r i s k s from a variety o f d i f f e r e n t pollutants, belong t o t h i s category.
Consider the several technology-based standards i n the Clean Water Act.
The Act requires industries to i n s t a l l several levels of technology-based
controls for reducing water p o l l u t i o n . These include best practicable
control technology, best conventional technology, and best available
technology economically achievable f o r e x i s t i n g sources. New sources are
subject t o the best demonstrated control technology. Total costs, age
o f equipment and f a c i l i t i e s , processes involved, engineering aspects,
environmental factors other than water q u a l i t y , and energy requirements
are to be taken i n t o account i n assessing technology-based controls.
(3) No Unreasonable Risk
This category c a l l s f o r the balancing o f r i s k s against benefits i n making
r i s k management decisions. The following are two examples i n t h i s
category:
0 The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act requires
EPA t o r e g i s t e r (license) pesticides which, i n addition t o other
requirements, it finds w i l l not cause unreasonable adverse effects
on the environment. The phrase refers t o any unreasonable r i s k s
to man or the environment taking i n t o account the economic, social,
and environmental costs and benefits o f the use of any pesticide.
Under the Toxic Substances Control Act, EPA i s mandated to take
action i f it finds that a chemical substance presents or w i l l
present an unreasonable r i s k o f i n j u r y t o health or the
environment. This includes considering the effects of such a
substance on health and the environment and the magnitude of the
exposure of human beings and the environment t o such a substance;
the benefits o f such a substance f o r i t s various uses and the
a v a i l a b i l i t y of substitutes f o r such uses; and the reasonably
ascertainable economic consequences o f the r u l e , a f t e r considerat
i o n o f the effect on the national economy, small businesses,
technological innovation, the environment, and public health.
THE ROLE OF COMPARATIVE RISK ANALYSIS
EPA's support f o r using comparative r i s k analysis to help set i t s regulatory
p r i o r i t i e s has been no secret. Unlike r i s k assessment, which f o r years has
provided r e g u l a t o r s t h e basis for deciding whether or not an individual
substance needs t o be controlled, comparative r i s k analysis and i t s derivative,
r e l a t i v e r i s k , have arrived on the scene only recently. Very simply described,
comparative r i s k analysis i s a procedure f o r ranking environmental problems by
t h e i r seriousness ( r e l a t i v e r i s k ) for the purpose of assigning them program
P r i o r i t i e s . Typically, teams of experts put together a l i s t o f problems; then,
886
I
they sort the problems by types of risk--cancer, non-cancer health, materials
damage, ecological effects, and so on. The experts rank the problems w i t h i n
each type by measuring them against such standards as t h e s e v e r i t y of effects,
the l i k e l i h o o d of the problem occurring among those exposed, the number of
People exposed, and the l i k e . The r e l a t i v e r i s k o f a problem i s then used as
a factor i n determining what p r i o r i t y the problem should receive. Other
factors include s t a t u t o r y mandates, public concern over the problem, and the
economic and technological f e a s i b i l i t y o f c o n t r o l l i n g it.
EPA'S Science Advisory Board urged the Agency t o order i t s p r i o r i t i e s on the
basis of reducing the most serious r i s k s . The Board argued, i n part ... There
are heavy costs involved if society f a i l s t o set environmental p r i o r i t i e s based
on r i s k . If f i n i t e resources are expended on lower p r i o r i t y problems at the
expense of higher p r i o r i t y r i s k s , then society w i l l face needlessly high r i s k s .
If p r i o r i t i e s are established based on the greatest opportunities t o reduce
r i s k , t o t a l r i s k w i l l be reduced i n a more e f f i c i e n t way, lessening threats t o
both p u b l i c health and local and global ecosystems.. . . (EPA-93/I).
THE ROLE OF RISK COMMUNICATION
Basically, r i s k communication deals with the approaches t o communicate with the
pub1 i c on various environmental issues. Some recommended communication
checklist items are provided as follows (EPA-90/6): (1) Be prepared; (2)
Review the facts; (3) Anticipate l i k e l y questions; and (4) Consider what the
audience wants t o know.
THE ROLE OF RISK UNCERTAINTY
Uncertainty means the q u a l i t y or state o f having possible v a r i a t i o n s . I n r i s k
analysis, uncertainty f a c t o r s include: (1) the v a r i a t i o n i n s e n s i t i v i t y among
the members o f the human population ; (2) the uncertainty i n extrapolating
animal data t o the case o f humans; (3) the uncertainty in e x t r a p o l a t i n g from
data obtained i n a study that i s o f l e s s - t h a n - l i f e t i m e exposure; (4) the
i n a b i l i t y o f any single study t o adequately address a l l possible adverse
outcomes i n humans.
SUMMARY
By way o f summarizing, t h e f o l l o w i n g key questions concerning the abovedescribed
" r i s k " terms might be asked:
(1) Risk assessment: What do we know about r i s k ? or how r i s k y i s t h i s
s i t u a t i o n ?
(2) Risk management: What do we wish t o do about r i s k ? or what shall we
do about i t ?
(3) Comparative r i s k : What i s the ranking ( p r i o r i t y ) o f the various
r i s k s ?
(4) Risk communication: What and how should a r i s k assessor communicate
with the public on r i s k analysis?
(5) Risk uncertainty: What i s the q u a l i t y o r state o f having possible
v a r i a t i o n s i n conducting r i s k analysis?
REFERENCES
(EPA-89/3), "Risk pessment Guidance f o r Superfund: Volume I 1 - Environmental
Evaluation Manual, EPA540-1-89-001, March 1989.
(EPA-90/1), "Methodology f o r Assessing Health,,Risks Associated w i t h I n d i r e c t
Exposure t o Combustor Emissions, Interim Final, EPA600-6-90-003, January 1990.
(EpA-90/6), "Risk Assessment, Management and Communication o f Drinking Water
Contamination," EPA625-4-89-024, June 1990.
( ~ ~ ~ - 9 1 / 1 2")R, i sk Assessment Guidance f o r Superfund: Volume I - Human Heal th
Evaluation Manual (Part B, Development o f Risk-based Preliminary Remdiation
Goals), EPA540-R-92-003, Publication 9285.7-018, December 1991.
(EpA-93/1), "The ABCs o f Risk Assessment," EPA Journal, EPA175-N-93-0014,
Volume 19, Number 1, January/February/March 1993.
(EPA-93/5), "Environmental News: EPA Administrator Browner Announces New
Hazardous Waste Reduction and Combustion Strategy," May 18, 1993.
(EpA-94/4), "Exposure Assessment Guidance for RCRA Hazardous Waste Combustion
F a c i l i t i e s , " EPA530-R-94-021, April 1994.
(Lee-92/6), "Environmental Engineering Dictionary," C.C. Lee, June 1992.
887
(Martin-86), "Hazardous Waste Management Engineering," Edward J. Martin and
James H. Johnson, J r . ) , Van Nostrand Reinhold Company, New York, 1986.
(Martin-86/2), "1n;inerator Risk Analysis Presentation to: Incinerator Permit
Writer's Workshop, Edward J. Martin, Peer Consultants, Inc., February 4,5, and
6, 1986.
(NAC-83), "Risk Assessment i n the Federal Government: Managing the Process,"
Committee on the I n s t i t u t i o n a l Means f o r Assessment o f Risks to Public Health,
Commission on L i f e Sciences, National Research Council, Established by National
Academy Council (NAC), National Academy Press, 1983.
(NIOSH-84/10), "Personal Pr;tective Equipment f o r Hazardous Materials
Incidents: A Selection Guide, U.S. Department o f Health and Human Services,
Pub1 i c Health Service, Centers f o r Disease Control, National I n s t i t u t e f o r
Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Division o f Safety Research,
Morgantown, West V i r g i n i a 26505, October 1984.
(NRT-87/3), "Hazardous Materials Emergency: Planning Guide," National Release
Team (NRT), NRT-1, March 1987.
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i
b
EVALUATION OF A BIOMASS DERIVED OIL FOR USE AS ADDITIVE4N PAVING ASPHALT
1. Jr., I. Clelland, H. Sawatzky, Energy Research Laboratories, CANMET, Natural Resources
Canada, 555 Booth St., Ottawa, Ont., Canada, KIA OGI. E-mail: jean.houde~x400.emr.ca
Keywords: paving asphalt, additive, antistripping
INTRODUCTION
Treatment and disposal costs of sewage sludge can represent up to 50% of a municipality’s
annual wastewater treatment budget. Sewage sludge (30% solids) accounts 5% of Canadian
landfill by weight, and the ever increasing volume of sludge coupled with the decreasing options
available for disposal creates a growing problem for major municipalities. Current disposal
, options are agricultural application, incineration and landfill. Concern about heavy metal
. migration and public pressure to find a local solution has severely curtailed the spreading of
sludge on agricultural land. Incineration is the major option for larger centres but the relatively
high cost fof incineration, ranging from $350 to $1000/t dry sludge, has caused a great deal of
interest in methods of improving the cost effectiveness of incineration or in new equivalent
technologies. The high cost and more stringent environmental regulations for incinerating
municipal sludges have led to developing more efficient sludge management technologies that
are not agricultural based.
The Wastewater Technology Centre of Environment Canada has been developing one such
technology since 1982. The thermoconversion process shown in Fig. 1 involves low temperature
,treatment of sludge to liquid and solid fuel products (1). A key technical feature of the sludge
conversion is the formation of a byproduct oil (2) referred to as sludge derived oil (SDO). In
1989, Enersludge Inc., Wastewater Technology Centre and CANMET’s Energy Research
Laboratories (ERL) ,of Natural Resources Canada undertook a joint R&D program to be
conducted at ERL to investigate promising utilization options for the SDO. SDO is a black,
viscous high-boiling ( > 150’C) organic liquid with a characteristic odour. Initial
characterization tests led to investigating the use of SDO as a feedstock material for introduction
into a refmery stream. Its average chemical structure is that of a large complex molecule, with
a hydrocarbon skeleton and functional groups containing nitrogen (pyrroles, amides) and oxygen
(esters). Such structures, which indicate protein origins, tend to be very polar. The relatively
high concentration of polar groups in SDO, especially the abundance of nitrogenous groups, and
its incompatibility with most distillate hydrocarbons except heavy aromatic gas oils, as
discovered in more extensive characterization testing, indicated a more appropriate role as an
asplialt additive. This paper describes the work done at ERL to develop SDO for antistripping
applications. COMPATIBILITY
The affinity of SDO for heavy petroleum derived materials was initially investigated by
blending equal amounts of SDO in each of ROSE” (residual oil supercritical extraction) residue
(3) and CANMET hydrocracking pitch (4). Both were observed to be completely miscible and
formed stable viscous blends. The same was then observed with SDO and pentane-precipitated
Athabasca bitumen asphaltenes.
Asphalt cement (AX),a petroleum product made from the fraction that has a boiling point
greater than approximately 350°C. contains many polar components including sulphur and
nitrogen containing compounds. SDO was found to be compatible with A/C as indicated by the
high ductility of SDO and commercial asphalt blends. Incompatibility in an asphalt blend causes
a drastic decrease in ductility that is easily detected in comparison to commercial A/C. Ductility
and rate of elongation until it breaks.
The results of this preliminary investigation as well as the characterization indicated SDO
was compatible with NC. Further, the SDO showed evidence of strong affinity for asphaltenes
in asphalt. The high nitrogen content of SDO is desirable for improving of adhesion to
aggregate. ROAD ASPHALTS
l is determined by measuring the distance a futed shape of AIC will stretch at a fixed temperature
Asphaltic concrete road pavement is made from a mix of aggregate (sand, gravel and crushed
stone) held together by 5% to 10% on a weight basis of A/C. Government transportation
agencies have developed road pavement specifications and are also the largest buyers of road
pavement. Their specifications include the hardness of the A/C, its ductility, viscosity, flash
point, resistance to stripping and performance after simulated road paving and handling
evaluations. Table 1 lists the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) test methods
typically used to assess commercial AIC’s.
Currently in Canada, A/C is primarily graded on its hardness as measured by penetration,
reported as the measured penetration by a needle into a sample of A/C of specified temperature
889
for controlled time and force (weight) on the needle. kphalt of 85 dmm (tenths of millimetres)
to 100 dmm, i t . , 85/100 penetration, is considered hard, whereas 150/200 penetration is soft.
ANTISTRIPPING ADDITIVE
The resistance to stripping of the A/C from the surface of the aggregate is an important
specification for the performance of asphalt pavement and is monitored by the buyers of asphalt
pavement. Since NC does not adhere well to certain aggregates, transportation agencies specify
the use of antistripping agents when using these particular aggregates. Stripping involves
complex processes which are still not fully understood. Several factors influence the sensitivity
of asphalt concrete mix to stripping [5]. For this phenomenon to occur, free water must be
present.
Jamieson aggregate (Ontario, Canada) which is prone to stripping and listed by the Ministry
of Transport of Ontario (MTO) as requiring at least 1 % antistripping agent in the A/C, was
chosen to evaluate the antistripping performance of SDO in A/C blends. ASTM test method
D-1664', the test method for evaluating coating and stripping of bitumen-aggregate mixtures,
requires a 95% coverage in static immersion tests to meet specifications.
To demonstrate the stripping resistance of SDO in A/C blends, three commercial NCs and
various concentrations of SDO were used with Jamieson aggregate as shown in Fig. 2. The
results are an average from the visual stripping evaluations of a panel of five evaluators. The
coverage of the aggregate by the A/C increased from about 60% (for the first two A/Cs) to
above 90% as SDO was added. The retained coverage of the third AIC, with no SDO,
increased from about 40% to above 90% as in the above case. Further, the performance of an
A/C with one of the commercial antistripping agents, Alkazine-0, recommended by the MTO
is shown for comparison (80% retained coating at the 1 wt % level). Under these conditions,
SDO has antistripping performance equal to or in excess of that given by at least one commercial
agent, and can be used to have coverage in excess of MTO specifications.
Sources of SDO other than the Atlanta SDO (undigested sewage sludge derived oil) were also
evaluated for performance as antistripping agents. These samples were also obtained from
bench-scale experiments using Highland Creek (Toronto, Canada) sewage sludge, an undigested
sludge, and Hamilton sewage sludge, a digested sludge, supplied by the Wastewater Technology
Centre. A digested sludge is one that has been subjected to anaerobic bacterial digestion. An
SDO from digested sludge has a reduced nitrogen content. In Fig. 3, several concentrations of
these two SDOs are compared with commercial antistripping agents: Alkazine-0, Redicote AP
and Redicote 82s. Some of these commercial agents are as effective as the SDO at
approximately half the concentration. Comparison of Highland Creek SDO and Hamilton SDO
(undigested versus digested sludges) as antistripping agents shows a parallel, but slightly less
effective performance curve for the digested SDO, indicating the significance of the nitrogen
content of SDO as a factor in adhesion to aggregate.
The use of antistripping additive may cause significant modifications to other performance
properties of asphalt cement. The other properties of asphalt cement susceptible to modifications
were also assessed. Candidate blends of asphalt cement with SDO and commercial antistripping
agents were evaluated for asphalt cement performance specifications in Table 2. Blends of 2%
Redicote 82s were compared with SDO blends as well as several other commercial antistripping
agents. These results indicated the performance of SDO at 5% does modify the asphalt cement
test results, in particular the loss of volatiles in the thin film oven test and the penetration. The
changes to the penetration of the asphalt cement can be modified by a change in the distillation
temperature of the SDO fraction or a change in the consistency of the NC. However, there
may be a limit to the acceptability of a change in penetration caused by an additive unless the
AIC is very hard. It should be noted that the use of only 2% SDO with the AIC3 in Fig. 2, was
succeSSful for all specifications monitored. Further, the viscosity of the SDO containing asphalt
cement easily met the MTO criteria.
.
In an effort to further define the antistripping performance curve, SDO was again tested by
the stripping immersion method including the 3 wl % additive level. The results in Fig. 4 show
that the 3 wt % additive level was as effective as the 5 wt % additive level in both 85/100 and
150/200 penetration A/C4. The 3 wt % additive level resulted in less change of the AIC's
consistency, as shown in Table 3. In another phase of testing, a one year old SDO sample was
compared to a freshly obtained sample. There was no significant difference in effectiveness as
an antistripping agent between the SDO samples, indicating the stability of the product.
1
~~~ ' Summary of ASTM D-1661 : The selected and prepared aggregate is coated with the bitumen at a specified
temperature appropriate to the grade of bitumen used. The coated aggregate is immersed in distilled water for
16 to 18 h. At the end of the soaking period, and with the bitumen-aggregate mixture under water, the total
area of the aggregate on which the bituminous film is retained is estimated visually as t 95%.
890 1
I
MARSHALL TEST
The next logical step was to test how SDO as an A/C additive compared to a commercial
additive in the asphalt concrete. One of the standard testing methods commonly used is known
as the Marshall test. The A/C and selected aggregate are mixed hot to produce an asphalt
concrete which is compacted by a laboratory compactor, simulating the roller compaction the
concrete would receive in the field. The cooled asphalt concrete sample is tested for strength
and resistance to plastic flow with an applied lateral force.
A standard HL3 mix design was used for manufacturing all specimens to be evaluated. The
ratio of coarse to fine aggregate was 40/60. Each specimen contained 5% AIC. Specimens
were manufactured according to MTO LS-261 and tested according to MTO LS-263 and LS-264
procedures for resistance to plastic flow using Marshall apparatus and theoretical maximum
relative density, respectively. Table 4 gives the results for the Marshall stability of 5% SDO
and 2% Redicote 82.5 blended in 85/100 penetration AIC. Three duplicate determinations were
done on each sample. The results show that the SDO blend performed as well as the
commercial antistripping agent, Redicote 82s. The SDO addition did not lower the Marshall
stability of the samples studied.
RECYCLED ASPHALT
When asphalt pavement is exposed to atmospheric conditions for several years, it degrades
by becoming harder and more brittle. For this reason, asphalt pavement must be replaced or
drastically repaired at the end of its typical age of 12 years. One notable effect of aging on
asphalt cement is the increase in the asphaltene content. Attempts at softening aged asphalt
cement by adding low viscosity high-boiling petroleum oils were unsuccessful because these oils
do not accommodate the increase in asphaltene content. A successful agent for softening or
rejuvenating aged asphalt cement must be able to disperse or peptize the asphaltenes. In general,
very soft asphalts, referred to as fluxes, are used to rejuvenate aged asphalts because they can
absorb the effect of the increased asphaltenes. Given the excellent ability of SDO to dissolve
the CANMET residue, the ROSE" residue, and the Athabasca asphaltenes, it was expected that
SDO would rejuvenate aged asphalt. Further, the softening and reduction in penetration
observed in blends of SDO and virgin asphalt cement are also desirable.
A sample of aged asphalt cement was obtained from a local asphalt pavement replacement
operation. Milled asphalt pavement was extracted with toluene and the aged asphalt cement was
recovered by evaporation. The aged asphalt cement was blended with SDO. The penetrations
and kinematic viscosities are shown in Table 5.
Further, Bow River crude asphalt of 454°C was blended with the aged asphalt. Bow River
asphalt is very soft and is considered to be a high quality flux, which is ideal for rejuvenating
asphalt. The results indicate that hard, aged asphalt cement of 30 dmm penetration can be
softened to make the equivalent of 85/100 penetration grade asphalt cement. Only 12% SDO
was required to make this penetration whereas more than 22% Bow River flux is required.
However, the viscosity of 22% Bow River flux in asphalt cement is just above the MTO
kinematic viscosity minimum of 280 cSt. If more Bow River were added to make the 85/100
penetration grade of asphalt cement, it would probably just fail the viscosity specification.
SDO performance in hot mixed recycling was investigated using the thin film oven test. The
results in Table 6 show that 9% SDO passes the TFOT weight loss specification, as well as
improves the viscosity of recycled asphalt cement. While the penetration is below the 85/100
specification, it is possible that either a soft flux can be used, or further addition of SDO can
be utilized to soften to a penetration of 85 dmm.
One additional benefit of using SDO for rejuvenation is its property as an antistripping agent.
A 9% blend of SDO into aged asphalt cement had a static immersion coverage of 100% on
Jamieson aggregate. The unmodified, aged asphalt cement had a coverage of only 42%. The
results of SDO rejuvenated asphalt cements in the thin film oven test are also encouraging. As
shown in Table 6, when 9% SDO was added to an aged asphalt cement and subjected to the thin
f i oven test, a 60% retention of the penetration occurred along with a weight loss of 0.60%.
Both meet the ASTM D-946 specification.
Not only does it
perform well for rejuvenation, softening, and asphaltene compatibility, it also improves the
stripping resistance of the rejuvenated asphalt cement. This increases its value over other agents
to recyclers of asphalt pavement. Further, it should be noted that the amounts of SDO used are
reported as a fraction of the aged asphalt cement. While this may represent a small amount on
the scale of recycled pavement, methods to contact the aged asphalt cement with SDO must be
considered.
These results show the performance of SDO as a rejuvenating agent.
891
CONCLUSIONS
It has been demonstrated by extensive antistripping studies conducted on the different SDO
samples supplied to ERL that the SDO antistripping properties are independent of the process
used to produce the sludge derived oil (bench scale versus pilot scale), and relatively dependent
on the sludge type (digested versus undigested). The digestion process removes some materials
that would be converted to SDO in the oil from sludge process. The SDO from digested sludge
also is less effective as an antistripping agent relative to the SDO from undigested sludge.
A 3% SDO concentration was found to be as effective as 5% SDO concentration for
stripping inhibition. Furthermore, when SDO was used at 3% concentration, the AIC's
properties (penetration, viscosity and weight loss after TFOT) were not modified as much as
when a 5% concentration was used. If one would like to use 5% SDO, the starting asphalt
cement should be in the 60/70 penetration grade to produce a f d A/C in the 85/100 penetration
range. A comparison of the performance of the year old SDO sample with a fresh sample at
the 5% additive level showed no major difference confirming that the SDO is very stable over
time and does not lose its beneficial properties.
The addition of SDO can be done either by the wet mode (standard method) in which the
additive is blended with the A/C or by the dry mode in which the aggregates are prewetted with
SDO before adding the A/C. In the latter case, asphalt engineering/performance tests would be
required to confirm that this method does not affect the performance. This is being addressed
in road pavement test strips.
The SDO Marshall stability (strength test) was found to be comparable to that of a
commercial additive although a greater concentration of SDO is needed. Neither of these
additives showed improvement or loss of stability over the commercial virgin asphalt used as
control indicating no negative effect on the strength of the asphalt concrete.
Annual demand for antistripping agents for road asphalts in Ontario is valued at
approximately $1 million (6). It is estimated that up to lo00 t/a of SDO could be used in such
an application. Initial experimentation has also shown that SDO shows promise as a rejuvenant
for aged asphalt cement. Not only does SDO perform well for rejuvenation, softening, and
asphaltene compatibility, it also improves the stripping resistance of the rejuvenated asphalt
cement. This increases its value over other agents to recyclers of asphalt pavement. Recycling
asphalt pavement is not a mature technology. Many opportunities exist to advance this
technology. As the aggregate resources close to major centres become depleted, this technology
will undoubedly receive more attention.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors wish to thank P. Mourot and D. Martinoli of Enersludge Inc. and H. Campbell
of WTC for their financial and technical support and their assistance in interpreting the results
of this work. The authors also wish to thank J. Odgren of the Regional Municipality of Ottawa-
Carleton's Material Testing Laboratory for technical support and interpretation of the Marshall
Test portion of the research. Federal support of this work was provided through the Federal
Program on Energy Research and Development (PERD).
REFERENCES
1. Campbell, H.W. and Bridle, T.R. "Sludge management by thermal conversion to fuels",
Roc. of New Directions and Research in Waste Treatment and Residuals Mananement,
Vancouver, 1985.
Campbell, H.W. and Martinoli, D.A. '"A status report on Environment Canada's oil from
sludge technology", Proc. of Status of MuniciDal Sludne Manaeement for the 199Os,
WPCF Specialty Conference, New Orleans, 1990.
Gearhart, J.A. and Nelson, S.R. "Upgrading heavy residuals and heavy oils with
ROSE": Energy Procrssing/Canada, May-July , 1983.
Pokier, M.A. and Sawatzky, H. "The utilization of process residues for the production
of road asphalt cements", Proc. of 30th Annual Conference of the Canadian Technical
Asohalt Association, Moncton, 30, 42-58 (1990).
Stolle D.F.E. "Silane coupling agents to reduce moisture susceptibility of asphalt
concrete", MTO Reuort #PAV-90-04, November 1990.
Kennepohl, G.J., MTO, personal communication, 1990.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
892
Table 1 - ASTM asphalt cement specification tests
ASTM method Test description
ASTM D-5
ASTM D-92
ASTM D-113
ASTM D-1754
ASTM D-2052
ASTM D-2170
ASTM D-2171
Penetration of bituminous materials
Flash Point, Cleveland Open Cup
Ductility of bituminous materials
Effect of heat and air on asphaltic materials
Solubility of asphalt materials in trichloroethylene
Kinematic viscosity of asphalts
Viscosity of asphalts by vacuum capillary viscometer
,y,$s~o 7, 62, 135 282 1557 3288 *150 88.66
~%SDO 11,104,204 244 1006 2584 +150 8880
5 s s ~ o 11,128,238 226 7684 2272 135 8889
,-,%~~Ooid 8, 86. 158 324 1573 3321 +150 88.83
5 y s ~ o o l d 13,156. 168 248 IOU 226 +I50 8885
Table 2 - Atlanta SDO in asphalt cement
000 58 71 3574 461.5 +I50
072 82 60 2456 3838 '150
124 88 54 2236 3546 r15O
002 53 55 3178 446.2 +I50
0.81 75 48 1756 340.3 +I50
WLSDO 38 8.86.158 324 1573 3321 -1% 8883
55SOO 96 13.1yI.168 248 IOU 2280 +I% 8985
ZXRdbo(olU6 74 13.121.144 Ya 1019 ,2760 ,150 89S3
1% Nddad S4
0 ~ s ~ )12 .141.253 288 7162 2370 148 88.81
3y.s~O 15.173.307 288 5106 1822 126 8883
5%sm 17.227.372 232 4202 1885 115 88.68
o * s ~ o o l d 15.174.218 316 4761 181 6 130 88.85
5%~DOald 19,242,301 284 3151 141.8 +I50 8885
&!cxlwm
DI~SDO m ?5.174.216 316 4701 %si8 130 8985
5WSDO 85 18.242.xIl 2W 3151 1418 1150 8885
ZURsdWlr82S 85 16.1B4.282 YY 3884 1688 +l% 8898
1% Naldad 87
1 2 w n e o 75
u!xlsum
WSDO 39 8.83 382 0
22SDO 85 8.81 288 1292 327.0
1XmeLarinsO 60 - 8YlW *95.
lSDRW f85.
'SpsC*sTMOl~
'*Spas MTO c202
,232 ,280" .,w r88
,220 >lW r88
001 78 56 1426 3164 ++so
0.00 88 57 1421 282.8 +I50
124 107 47 877.6 2544 +is0
0.M) 88 57 7885 2440 -
084 132 54 8135 183.7 +150
002 53 552 3178 4462 *I50 25
081 75 481 1758 3403 +150 S4
016 68 582 1815 387.3 138 87
030 62 681 3 5 3 2 5 1 2 0
a 85 r47 .75
Table 3 - Performance of SDO in asphalt cement
893
Table 4 - Marshall stability tests (MTO LS-263)
Sample Stability Flow V.M.A.' Air Voids
# ( KN ) (.OOl in.) ( % ) ( % )
Control I A 11.225 9.50 15.09 6.00
I B ll.M)2 9.90 14.88 6.20
II A 12.622 _-. 13.57 4.88
11 B 12.958 11.00 13.61 4.96
IlIA 13.972 10.12 14.33 5.56
IllB 12.292 10.72 15.25 6.45
5% SDO I A 14.330 9.10 14.17 5.47
I B I I .063 8.20 14.59 5.30
II B 10.995 9.40 13.29 4.72
IIlA 12.993 10.76 12.54 4.12
llIB 13.612 9.10 13.02 4. I4
I1 A 10.448 __. 13.47 5.28
2% Redicote 82s I A 6.687 2.80 18.46 2.58
I B 6.689 3.00 16.35 2.59
I1 A 12.017 9.40 14.14 5.83
II B 10.585 10.50 14.38 6.28
IllA 12.545 8.34 14.40 6.34
IllB 14.784 9.09 13.83 5.78
' V.M.A. - Voids in mineral aggregates
Calculated by the following formula: V.M.A.= 100 - [ C (lOO-AC)/G I
where C = Bulk specific gravity of compacted bituminous mixture
AC = Wt % asphalt cement (A/C)
G = Maximum specific gravity of aggregate. assumed at 2.70
All mixes made with 5% by weight A/C - 85/100 penetration
Coarse aggregate ( >#4 US Sieve) - Jamieson 140 wt %I
Fine aggregate ( <#4 US Sieve) - Dibhlee I60 wt %I
Table 5 - Comparison of penetration and viscosity in AAC' using different additives
Penetration Kinematic viscosity
4°C 25°C 100°C 135°C
(dmm) (CSt)
AAC 7 30 11039 866
AAC + 2.1% SDO 7 40 6883 719
AAC + 6.0% SDO 7 50 4794 624
AAC + 12.2% SDO 11 98 4801 413
AAC + 22.0% Bow River 454°C 13 80 3079 287
Bow River 454°C > 300 da' 67 21
SDO > 400 d a 22 7
Table 6 - AAC properties before and after addition of SDO
~
Post TFOT
AIC SDO Viscosity Pcnctration TFOT Viscosity Penetration Retained
Q60"C Q 25°C wt loss Q60"C @ 25°C pen4
(%) (P) ( d m ) (%) (P) (dmm) (%)
AAC 0 29 720 32 0.03 45 210
AAC 9 5 330 65 0.60 9 583 39 60
AAC: Aged asphalt cement
n/a: n o t d y z e d
Pen: Penetration
894
/
/
..... ~.
....... -.- ............. ........... .....
r...... ~.-.. . . -~~ ... -
I
/-
. .
I
Fig. 1 -
100
80
m 80
3 d 70
f $ "
* s o
40
30
SCHEMATIC OF OFS PILOT PLANT, HAMILTON, ONTARIO
......... s.".-4
-. -,,..- .-. . - ---
....... .. -.:.= ...........
-
[*AJc1 +NC2 +Nc) rAlun.01
1 2 3 4 5 6
Wt% SDO In Asphalt Cement
Fig. 2 - STRIPPING BY STATIC IMMERSION TEST
- 40 - . - - _-. - . . _.-.
30
+ Alkazn-0 *Rdcl AP +Hyl.Crk. *Harnlln +Rdct 825 1
0 1 2 3 4 5 6
X Blend In 85llOO AJC 4
Flg 3 - ANTISTRIPPING TEST ADDITIVE BLENDS VS
RETAINED COATING
100
90
i B 70 z $ 60
50
10
.. .- -I
1*85/100 NC4 *150/200 NU 1
0 1 2 3 4 5
WIX SO0 b UC
Fig. 4 -STRIPPING BY STATIC IMMERSION TEST
895
MANUFACTURE OF AMMONIUM SULFATE FERTILIZER FROM FGDGYPSUM
M.4.M. Chou, J.A. Bruinius, Y.C Li, M. Rostam-Abadi, and J.M. Lytle
Illinois State Geological Survey
615 E Peabody Drive
Champaign, IL 61820
KEYWORDS: gypsum, ammonium sulfate, flue gas desulfurization
ABSTRACT
The goal of this study is to assess the technical and economic feasibility of producing
marketable products, namely fertilizer-grade ammonium sulfate and calcium carbonate,
from gypsum produced as part of lime/limestone flue gas desulfurization (FGD) processes.
Millions of tons of FGD-gypsum by-product will be produced in this decade. In this study,
a literature review and bench-scale experiments were conducted to obtain process data for
the production of marketable products from FGD-gypsum and to help evaluate technical
and economic feasibility of the process. FGD-gypsum produced at the Abbott power plant
in Champaign, IL was used as a raw material. The scrubber, a Chiyoda Thoroughbred 121
FGD, produced a filter cake product contains 98.36% gypsum (CaS0,.2H20), and less than
0.01% calcium sulfite (&SO3). Conversion of FGD-gypsum to ammonium sulfate were
tested at temperatures between 60 to 70°C for a duration of five to six hours. The results
of a literature review and preliminary bench-scale experiments are presented in this paper.
INTRODUCTION
The 1990 amendments to the Clean Air Act mandate a two-stage, 10-million ton reduction
in sulfur dioxide emissions in the United States'. Plants burning high sulfur coal and using
FGD technologies must also bear increasingly expensive landfill disposal costs for the solid
waste produced2. The FGD technologies would be less of a financial burden if successful
commercial uses were developed for the gypsum-rich by-products of the wet limestone
scrubbing.
The degree to which FGD-gypsum is commercially used depends on its quality. Currently,
high-quality FGD-gypsum with purity greater than 94% is used mainly to manufacture
construction materials, i.e. stucco and gypsum-plaster, gypsum wall boards, and cement'.
The amount of high quality FGD gypsum could exceed the current demand of the FGDgypsum
industry. Conversion of FGD-gypsum to marketable products could be a deciding
factor in the continued use of high-sulfur Illinois coals by electric utilities. One approach
is to produce cost-competitive ammonium sulfate fertilizer and commercial-grade calcium
carbonate from FGD-gypsum.
Ammonium sulfate is a valuable source of both nitrogen and sulfur nutrients for growing
plants. There is an increasing demand for sulfur in the sulfate form as a plant nutrient
because of diminished deposition of atmospheric sulfur compounds from flue gas emissions
and more sulfur is taken up by plants produced in high yields'. Also, the trend of using
high-nitrogen content fertilizers has pressed incidental sulfur compounds out of traditional
fertilizer. The current market for ammonium sulfate in the United States is about two
million tons per year. It is anticipated that 5 to 10 million tons of new ammonium sulfate
production may be required for fertilizer markets annually to make up for the loss of sulfur
deposition from the increased restriction on acid-rain. The fertilizer industIy appears ready
to accept an added source of fertilizer grade ammonium sulfate to supply sulfur in NPK
fertilizer blends'.
In Phase-I of this study, a literature review and a series of bench-scale experiments were
conducted to obtain process data for the production of ammonium sulfate from FGDgypsum
and to help evaluate technical and economic feasibilities of the process.
EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES
Sample of FGD-gypsum and methods of nnnlyses -The Abbott power plant in Champaign,
Illinois operates a Chiyoda Thoroughbred 121 FGD-desulfurization system which produces
one ton of gypsum for every ten tons of coal burned. The FGD-gypsum sample collected
was dried in ambient air for two to four days. The particle size distributions of the sample
were determined using both manual and instrumental methods. In the manual method, the
sample was wet-sieved through a 100 mesh (149pm) screen and then a 200 mesh (74pm)
screen. The weight % of the size-fractional samples were determined after drying. In the
\
3 896
'.
I
I
I
instwmental method, a Micro Trac I1 analyzer was used to determine the mean and
standard deviation of the panicle diameter by means of laser light scattering.
The amounts of free water (released at 45°C) and combined water (released at 230°c for
gypsum), calcium oxide (CaO), magnesium oxide (MgO), and carbon dioxide in the sample
Were determined by the ASTM method (2471. Based on these analytical results, the
Compositions were calculated in terms of %CaCO, %MgCO, %CaSO,, %CaS04.2H@, and
%(NH&SO,. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was conducted under an air flow of 50
d h h with programmed heating from room temperature to 900°C at lO"C/min. The
Weight loss profile was used for preliminary estimates of purity and composition Of gypsum
Conversion of FGD-gypsum ammonium sulfate and calcium carbonate - The batch,
bench-scale reactor system consisted of a 1000-mL, three-neck, round-bottomed flask fitted
with a mechanical stirrer, a condenser, and a thermometer. An autotransformer and
heating mantle were used to control the reaction temperature. The important reaction for
producing ammonium sulfate from the FGD-gypsum is the reaction between ammonium
carbonate and calcium sulfate. Two sets of experiments were conducted in this study. In
the first set of experiments, the gypsum reacted with reagent-grade ammonium carbonate
in a liquid medium. In the second set of experiments, ammonium carbonate, formed by the
reaction of ammonia and carbon dioxide in a liquid medium reacted with suspended
gypsum. The procedures for the experiments are outlined below.
FGD-gypsum was added to an ammonium carbonate solution (prepared by dissolving
reagent-grade ammonium carbonate in 500 mL of distilled water) in the 1000-mL reaction
flask The temperature of the stirred mixture was raised from room temperature to the
reaction temperature and maintained at that temperature for a range of pre-determined
times. The solution which contained the ammonium sulfate product was separated from
the solid byproduct, calcium carbonate, by vacuum filtration. The filtrate plus the rinsing,
a total of about 600 mL of the liquid, was concentrated to a volume of about 150 mL in a
constant temperature water bath. The residual concentrate was kept at room temperature
to form ammonium sulfate crystals. The condensation and crystallization steps were
repeated until no more crystal could be produced. The combined product was dried under
ambient air before determining the total weight.
In the second set of experiments, ammonium carbonate was formed by the reaction of
ammonia and carbon dioxide in a liquid medium, which was then allowed to react with
FGD-gypsum in suspension. After removal of the calcium carbonate, the ammonium
sulfate is recovered in a similar manner by filtration, evaporation and crystallization.
The ammonium sulfate produced was analyzed by melting point determination, chemical
analysis and TGA analysis. The yield of the ammonium sulfate produced was obtained
based on its theoretical yield from a total conversion of calcium sulfate feed. The purity
of the ammonium sulfate produced was determined by chemical analysis of the nitrogen
content using methods described by the Association of Agriculture Chemists (AOAC) and
American Water Works Association (AWWA) procedure, and by ASTM method C-471.
The calcium carbonate by-product was dried and subjected to TGA analyses to determine
its purity and composition of unreacted gypsum.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
Characterization of the FGD-gypsum sample - The data on particle size distribution
obtained by passing the gypsum sample through a series of screens and by Micro Trac I1
particle-size analyzer are shown in Table 1. Ahout 84% of the sample has particle-size
smaller than 74 pm (200 mesh), and about 99% of the sample has particles of smaller than
149pm (100 mesh). The results of chemical analyses and the calculations following ASTM
method C-471 are shown in Table 2 The FGD-gypsum sample has more combined water
(water of hydration) than free moisture and has 98.36% gypsum (CaS04.2H20) with less
than 0.01% of calcium sulfite (CaSO,). The TGA curve of the gypsum sample is shown in
Figure 1. All weight loss occurred between 98°C and 207°C (peak at 158.65"C). This
weight loss is related to removal of the water of hydration from gypsum. No further
thermal decomposition occurred to a temperature of 900°C.
Literature review - The chemistry of the process and process conditions6 were reviewed.
The literature study showed that the production of ammonium sulfate from natural gypsum,
ammonium, and carbon dioxide, known as the Merseburg Process, has been tried in
England' and Indias in 1951 .and 1967, respectively. The process was proven to be
897
commercially feasible. The Merseburg Process for manufacturing ammonium sulfate from
gypsum is based on the chemical reaction between gypsum and ammonium carbonate.
Ammonium carbonate is formed by the reaction of ammonia and carbon dioxide in aqueous
solution. The reaction produces insoluble calcium carbonate and an ammonium sulfate
solution. The reason it is not currently used is the cost of natural gypsum and the
availability of an economical source of carbon dioxide.
In the early 196O's, the chemistry of the Merseburg Process was carefully studied and
partially developed in the US.. At that time the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) studied
a process in which ammonium phosphate was produced using ammonium sulfate and
phosphate rock as starting materials. In the process, phosphate rock was extracted with
nitric acid. The extract was allowed to react with ammonium sulfate to produce ammonium
phosphate. Gypsum was produced as a by-product To minimize the costs of ammonium
phosphate conversion, TVA adopted the Merseburg Process and developed a single-stage
reactor both in bench scale9 and in pilot scalelo operations. The purpose was to recover the
by-product gypsum and use it to regenerate ammonium sulfate for the starting material.
In the regeneration, the by-product gypsum and ammonium carbonate were premixed
before entering the reactor. Residence times of 0.5, 1, and 3 hours at 125°F (52°C) and
140°F (60°C) were tested, and conversions of greater than 95% were achieved9. Typical
operating conditions in the pilot plant were 120°F (49"C), 2 hours residence time, and
ammonium carbonate feed at or above 105% stoichiometric requirement, and the
conversion was 98%*4
Bench scale testing for ammonium sulfate production - The important reaction for
producing ammonium sulfate from the FGD-gypsum is the reaction between ammonium
carbonate and calcium sulfate. Two sets of experiments (see experimental procedures
section) were conducted in this study. The reaction conditions, amounts of reactants, and
the properties of products for the two sets of experiments are listed in Table 3. The
ammonium sulfate produced was confirmed both by comparing its melting point with that
of a commercial standard and by examining chemical analysis data and TGA data. Based
on the weight of the ammonium sulfate produced and its theoretical yield from a total
conversion of calcium sulfate feed, a yield of up to 83% and a purity of up to 99% for the
ammonium sulfate production was achieved. A mass balance calculation for calcium and
sulfur in gypsum was conducted on experiment run No. 5 (Table 3). The results show a
recovery of 98% for calcium in calcium carbonate and a recovery of 81% for sulfur in
ammonium sulfate were obtained. The TGA curve for calcium carbonate produced in one
of the residues is shown in Figure 2 The graph shows a weight loss occumng between
600°C and 770°C This is attributed to the evolution of carbon dioxide from decomposing
calcium carbonate. A typical TGA curve (Figure 3) of the ammonium s'ulfate produced
shows a total decomposition of the sample with a maximum weight loss at 418.3"C
In summary, the results of these preliminary laboratory experiments suggest that high quality
ammonium sulfate can be produced from the FGD-gypsum sample obtained from the
Abbott power plant
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT & DISCLAIMER
This report was prepared by MA. M. Chou and the ISGS with support, in part, by grants
made possible by U.S. department of Energy (DOE) Cooperative Agreement Number DEFC22-
PC92521 and the Illinois Coal Development Board (ICDB) and the Illinois Clean
Coal Institute (ICCI). Neither authors nor any of the subcontractors nor the US. DOE,
ISGS, ICDB, ICCI, nor any person acting on behalf of either assumes any liabilities with
respect to the use of, or for damages resulting from the use of, any information disclosed
in this report. The authors would like to acknowledge D.F. Fortik of the Abbott Power
Plant for suppling the FGD-gypsum sample and the project manager D.D. Banejee of the
ICCI.
REFERENCES
1.
2
3.
E Claussen, "Acid Rain: The Strategy," Office of Communications and Public
Affairs, EPA Journal, Washington DC, Jan./Feb. 1991, vol. 17, no. 1.
R.E. Bolli and RC. Forsythe, "Ohio Edison Company's Clean Coal Technology and
Waste Utilization Programs," EPRI 1990 SO2 Control Symposium, vol. 1, 3b.
S.K. Conn, M.G. Vacek, and J.T. Moms Jr., "Conversion from disposal to
commercial grade gypsum; An alternative approach for disposal of scrubber wastes."
EPRI 1993 SO2 Control Symposium, voL 3,8b.
4. R.G. Hoe% J.E Sawyer, R.M. VandenHeuvel, Mk Schmitt, and G.S. Brinkman,
898
Corn response to sulfur on Illinois soils, J. Fert, 295-104, 1985.
5. N.W. Frank and S. Hirano, "Utilization of FGD Solid Waste in the Form of Byproduct
Agricultural Fertilizer," EPRI 1990 SO2 Control Symposium, vol. 1, 3b.
6. Kirk-Othmer, Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, fourth edition, vol. 2,706, John
Wiley & Sons, New York, 1992
7. Higson, G.I., The Manufacture of Ammonium Sulphate from Anhydrite, Chemistry
and Industry, 750-754, September 8, 1951.
8. Nitrogen, Conversion of Gypsum or Anhydrite to Ammonium Sulfate, Nitrogen, 46,
MarcWApril 1967.
9. Blouin, G.M., O.W. Livingston, and J.G. Getsinger, Bench-Scale Studies of Sulfate
Recycle Nitric Phosphate Process, J. Agr. Food Chem., vol. 18, 313-318, 1970.
10. Meline, R.S., H.L Faucett, CH. Davis, and A.R. Shirley Jr., Pilot-Plant
Development of the Sulfate Recycle Nitric Phosphate Process, Ind. Eng. Process
Des. DeveIop., vol. 10, 257-264, 1971.
Table 1. Results of particle size anawis of the FGD-gypsum
Siie 5%
> 149pm' 0.97
149-74 pm' 15.40
< 74pm' 83.60
average diameter em), 73.88
standard deviation2 35.63
'By S I e v e analyss; 'ny Micro 'Itac 11
Table 2 Results of ASTM chemical analysis of the FGD-gypsum
Composition in WL %
Analytes moisture free basis
combined water 20.59
GO 3292
MgO 0.01
so4 54.90
so1 co.01
co2 0.71
NH, <0.01
Free Moisture co.01
Calculated Values
C~SO,.~H,O 98.36
1.60
co.01
Caco,
Caso,
Caso, co.01
MEOi 0.01
(Nrq),S04 co.01
/
I
f
I
Table 3. Reaction conditions and the results of fmal product and by-product analyses
Caco, W4)ZW
I Run Run 'Mole
number Conditions ratio ' Wt% lCalculated 'purity 'Calculated 'm.p.
residue yield yield ('C)
1 70'CShr 1.56 97 ND ND ND 242
2 70'C6hr 1.59 86 ND 95 82 237
3 70'C6hr 1.33 81 81 ND 83 241
NH, C02 clco, (NH4)ZSO'
Run Run
number conditions m o k h Lwt% in Icalculated 'purity 'Calculated h p .
residue yield yield ('C)
4 60'C4h+ 1.50 1.25 ND ND 99 58 240
5 6YC6hF 1.25 1.00 94 104 9s 83 241
6 70eC6h14 1.25 1.00 ND ND 90 76 2?.7 3
]Based on theoretical yield kom FGD-gypsum feed;
'Wet chemical analysis by ASTM c-171 and AWWA procedures;
SMelting point for the standard is 240'C; 61.9S mole of gypsum used.
I/
/ 899
Figure
100-
95 -
90 -
85-
-0.4
-0.2
0
80 -
206.73 C
79.46:
80 -
60-
40-
20-
weight (:) Deriv. Weight ( : / C )
100 0.8
90- 0.6048%/C -0.6
80- -0.4
70 - -0.2
60- -^ 0
i5a.81 c
57.83:
50 ! , -0.2
0 200 400 600 800 1000
Temperature (C)
Figure 2 Typical TGA weight loss profile and first derivative for solid by-product
(CaCO,) from the ammonium sulfate production.
lo,% 2.5
-2.0
-1.5
-1.0
-0.5
- -0.0
o , , , , , i-0.5
\'
1'
I
900
J
I
TECHNO-ECONOMIC EVALUATION OF
WASTE LUBE OIL RE-REFINING IN SAUDI ARABIA
Mohammad Farhat Ali, Abdullah J. Hamdan and Faizur Rahman
DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY
Kin"e Fahd Universitv of Petroleum & Minerals
Dhahran: Saudi Arabia
Keywords: Waste Lube Oil. Re-refining, Economics
INTRODUCTION
Abut 80 million gallons of automotive lubricating oils are sold in Saudi Arabia. Much of
this oil, after use, is actually contributing to the increased pollution of land because of
indiscriminate dumping. Any scheme of secondary use of the waste lube oils would be of
interest both for conservation of energy resources and for protection of environment. This
paper discusses the secondary use for the used automotive lubricating oils. Process technology
of Meinken, Mohawk and KTI were selected for the techno-economic feasibility study for rerefining
used oil. Profitability analysis of each process is worked out and the results are
compared.
In many counmes the re-refining of the used oils has become an important industry. The
objective of recovering high quality raffinates is attained through the use of widely differing
techniques.
The processes concerned can be classified according to the chemical or physical method ofused-
oil pretreatment selected. Meinken process is based on chemical pretreatment whereas,
both Mohawk and KTI processes employ physical methods involving distillation and
eliminates the use of sulfuric acid thus providing a facility for safer operation than Meinken.
The plant capacity of two existing units in Jeddah are 10.000 TPA and 80,000 TPA rerefining
of waste oil. We selected a plant of 50,000 TPA waste oil re-refining for economic
study of these three processes.
Both Mohawk and KTI have been running full range plants in different parts of the world
and appear to be efficient and viable. Meinken have successfully implemented more than 60
used oil re-refining plants world wide including Kuwait Lube Oil Company, Iran Motor Oil
Company, Saudi Lube Oil Company Limited, Jeddah, and Lube Oil Co. Ltd., Jeddah.
PROCESS TECHNOLOGIES
Meinken Process
The used oil is supplied to the re-refinery by railway tankers, road tankers or in barrels.
Before the used oil flows into the waste oil storage tanks, it passes through the filters to
remove solid impurities. A block flow diagram of re-refining process is shown in Figure 1.
Meinken process is based on chemical pretreatment [I]. The dewatered oil is treated with
sulfuric acid (96 %) and the acid refined oil is vacuum distilled to separate lube base oil from
the low boiling spindle oil and gas oil. With sulfuric acid treatment it is necessary to dehydrate
the feedstock completely before subjecting it to acid treatment to prevent dilution of the
concentrated sulfuric acid. On the other hand, there is no need to remove crankcase "dilution"
or fuel components ahead of the acid-treating step, since these could be conveniently stripped
from the hot oil in the subsequent clay contacting step. Their presence during acid treatment
reduces the viscosity of the oil and thereby increase the ease of separating the acid sludge.
However, the sulfuric acid - treatment and clay addition produce waste streams like acid tar and
spent clay resulting in a problem of waste disposal. Inspite of the disposal problem associated
with Meinken process, the Meinken technology appears to be very popular. At present, there
are about 60 such refiners around the world using the same system. New refineries of this
w e are in various stages of consauction and planning in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman
and India manifesting the technology to be well proven and widely accepted.
Mohawk Process
A simplified block flow diagram of the Mohawk-CEP process is shown in Figure 2. This
is claimed by the licensors to be. the newest and yet proven high-efficiency re-refining
technology. Mohawk technology has been licensed to Chemical Engineering Partners, a
private chemical engineering design company based in California, U.S.A.
The fust stage of the process removes water from the feedstock [5,6]. The second stage of
the process is distillation, at this step light hydrocarbons are removed resulting in a marketable
901
fuel by-product. The third stage, evaporation, vaporizes the base oil, separating it from the
additives, leaving behind a by-product called residue. This residue is used in asphalt
indusq. me final processing stage is hydrotreatment which results in a high quality base oil.
The Mohawk process features continuous operation, low maintenance, longer catalyst life
span, reduced corrosion, and proven technology.
KTI Process
Kinetic Technology International (KTI) of the Netherlands, in close cooperation with Gulf
Science and Technology Co. (Pittsburgh, Pa.) has developed a new re-refining process for all
types of waste lubricating oils [5,101.
The KTI waste lube oil re-refining process involves a series of proprietary engineering
technologies that affords high economic returns without resulting in environmental loads. The
main features of the KTI process include : (a) high recovery yield up to 95 7% of the contained
lube oil; @) excellent product quality; (c) flexible operation with wide turndown capability; (d)
no requirement for discharging chemicals or treating agents; (e) absence of non commercial byproducts;
and (f) reliable, inexpensive treatment of waste water contained in the wasted lube
oil.
The important steps of this process are as follows. Atmospheric distillation, which removes
water and gasoline. Vacuum distillation using special wiped film evaporators separates lube oil
from heavy residue containing metals and asphaltenes. The next step is hydrofinishing of lube
oil. Hydrogen rich gas is mixed with the oil and heated before passing through the reactor.
The treated oil is then steam smpped or fractionated into cuts using a vacuum in order to obtain
the right specification.
ECONOMIC EVALUATION
Capital Investment
The total fixed capital investment to process 50,000 TPA of waste oil was obtained from
Meinken [l] and Mohawk [6] in 1991. Location factor of 1.25 was used to estimate the fixed
capital costs for Saudi location [2]. Table 1 lists the total fixed capital investment estimated for
both the technologies. Working capital for the re-refinery was estimated by itemizing the
production costs components [12]. It varies with changes in raw material prices, product
selling price and so on.
Economic evaluation of KTI process could not be carried out because of non-availability of
complete cost data.
Production costs
Production costs consists of direct costs, indirect costs and general expenses.
Direct cost includes expenses incurred directly from the production operation. These
expenses are : raw materials (including delivery), catalysts and solvents, utilities, operating
labor, operating supervision, maintenance and repairs, operating supplies, royalties and
patents.
Raw material prices were estimated from F.O.B. prices in Germany in September 1991
r1.31 and includes $90.0 per ton for shipping. Local price was used for sulfuric acid.
Cokction Cost of waste oil in Jeddah [I], Saudi Arabia was estimated as $53.52 per ton. Byproduct(
gas oil) price $1 10 per ton was taken from Petroleum Economist[9], for Caltex,
Bahrain location. By-product asphalt price $130.0 per ton was taken from CMR 131, but
reduced by 15% as it needs some more processing. If the asphalt residue can not be sold at
international price due to low demand in this region, its price has to be further reduced. For
economic analysis purposes, the price of asphalt residue was still lowered by 50 I.Th is is an
approximation and the price used finally in the calculations is $55.0 per ton of asphalt residue.
The raw nuterials, utilities, and manpower requirements are given in Table 2 which were
obtained from Meinken [I] and Mohawk [8]. Table 3 lists raw materials, utilities and
manpower costs estimated for Saudi Arabian location [2,1 I]. Natural gas price was taken as
$0.5 per million Btu [21 and the benefit of low price of natural gas is reflected in utilities costs
such as electricity and steam. However, process water is expensive in Saudi Arabia because it
is produced from desalination plants.
Operating costs which includes operating labor, supervision, maintenance and repairs and
indirect costs which includes overheads, storage and insurance, and general expenses were
estimated according to the standard procedures [ 7,13,141.
902
d
Sumation of all direct costs, indirect costs and general expenses results in a production
Cost. Table 4 illustrates production cost of re-refining waste oil resulted from the two
technologies. The estimated production cost for Meinken process was $348.8 per ton and for
Mohawk process it is $198.4 per ton of re-refined oil.
For Meinken process the raw materials cost is about 54 % of the production COS^ Utilities
is 3.0 %, operating cost is 17.2 %, total indirect costs is 20.4 % and general expenses about
7.4 % of the total product cost. The share of raw materials cost in the total product Cost is
dominant. \
In case of Mohawk process the raw materials cost is about 42.7 % of the total product Cost.
By-products are 12.4 %, utilities are 8.8 %,operating cost 23.0 %, total indirect costs are 25.4
% and general expenses are 12.5 % of the total product cost. So, the production cost will be
sensitive to raw materials prices and sensitivity analysis was performed for different raw
materials price.
Profitability Analysis
The profitability of an industrial opportunity is a function of major economic variables such
as product selling price, raw materials prices, capital investment, energy prices and so on.
Year-by-year cash flow analysis have been carried out using assumptions and financial
arrangements described in Table 5.
From the analysis of production costs (Table 4) components, it is obvious that the raw
materials cost is the dominant item. So, sensitivity analysis were performed for 15 % lower
and 15 % higherraw materials prices than prevalent in September 1991.
Since the re-refined oil is not segregated into different neutral oils and bright stock,
following typical composition was assumed: 10 % 300 SN, 80 % 500 SN and 10 % bright
stock. Based on LUBREF, Jeddah [4] base oil prices of various grades an estimated selling
price of $415.60 per ton is used in the financial analysis.
The year-by-year cash flow analysis for international raw materials prices (base case) in
September 1991 and for 15 % lower and 15 % higher raw materials prices have been carried
out. The results of cash flow analysis are summarized in Table 6. Figure 3 shows the effect of
raw materials prices on internal rate of return (IRR).
The total fixed capital investment is very high for Meinken process (28.750 million $) as
compared to Mohawk process (17.7 13 million $). The working capital amounts to a high value
of 4.998 million US. Dollars for Meinken as compared to relatively low value of 3.050
million Dollars for Mohawk.
The payback period(PBP) and break-even-point (BEP) for Meinken Process are high as
expected compared to Mohawk process, which are 8.16 years and 53.8 % of the full
production. The PBP for Mohawk is 1.40 years, and BEP is 28.65 %. The IRR for Meinken
and Mohawk are estimated to be 11.24 I and 45.36 %. Thus, the total positive annual cash
flow for Mohawk process appears to be. more attractive than that for Meinken. The high
profitabilities of Mohawk process are due to lower capital costs as a result of (i) excluding
hydrogen plant and (ii) possibly due to relatively not well established technology as compared
to Meinken process.
The main disadvantage of Mohawk process is that, the plant has to be located near a
refinery or petrochemical plant (because of hydrogen supply) to be able to realize such high
prufitabilities. If the facilities are to be provided with an independent hydrogen plant, then the
capital costs may go up significantly and subsequently profitabilities will be dropped.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The investigators wish to acknowledge King Abdul Aziz City for Science and Technology
(KACST) for funding this Research Project (AR-10-60). The facilities and suppon provided
by the Department of Chemisuy and the Research Institute of King Fahd University of
Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) is also gratefully acknowledged.
REFERENCES
1.
2.
B. Meinken, Private Communication, B. Meinken Project and Construction Management
Consultants, Haltern, Germany, 1991.
SRI, PEP Yearbook International, Volume 1, SRI International Menlo Park, California,
U.S.A., 1989.
903
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
Chemical Marketing Reporter, Schnell Publishing Company, Inc., New York, U.S.A.,
September 1991.
LUBEREF, Private Communication, Petromin Lubricating Oil Refining Company,
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, 1991.
Ali, M. F. and Hamdan, A. J. Studies on Used Lubricating Oil Recovery and Rerefining,
Third Progress Report, KACST AR-10-60, KFUPM, Dhahran, 1990.
Magnabosco, L.H., M. Falconer and K. Padmanbhan. The Mohawk-CEP Re-refining
Process, The Proceedings of Sixth International Conference on used oil Recovery and
Reuse, San Francisco, California, May 28-31, 1991.
Garrett, D.E., Chemical Engineering Economics, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York,
U.S.A.. 1989.
Mohawk, Private Communication, Mohawk Lubricants, A
Ltd., Bumaby, B.C., Canada V5G 4G2, 1991.
Petroleum Economist, p.31, June 1991.
Division of Mohawk Oil co.
KTI, Waste Lube Oil Re-refining for King Fahd University of Pemleum and Minerals,
Dhahran, Document No. 10091, Kinetic Technology International Corp., California,
U.S.A., 1989.
TECNON, List of Heavy Petrochemical Indusmes for Royal Commission for Jubail and
Yanbu, Madinat Yanbu Al-Sanaiyah, K.S.A., TECNON (UK) LTD., Peuochemicals
Marketing and Planning Consulting Services, London, U.K. 1988.
Bechtel, L.R., Estimate Working Capital Needs, Chemical Engineering, 67 (4): 127
1960.
Axtell, O., Economic Evaluation in the Chemical Process Industries, John Wiley and
Sons, New York, U.S.A., 1986.
Ulrich, G.D., A Guide to Chemical Engineering Process Design and Economics, John
Wiley and sons, New York, U.S.A., 1984.
904
/
i
f
Table 1. Capital investment of 50,OOO TPA waste oil re-refining plant
in Saudihbia.
Roc+ss Technology
Meinken, Germany 28.750
Mohawk, Canada 17.713
Total Fixedcapital in 1991
(Million US $ )
Table 2. Raw materials utilities and manpower requirements per ton of product.
-- Waste oil. ton - Sulfuric Acid, ton - Activared clay, ton - Lime. ton - Ammonia water(2395). ton Catalyst. kg
* Gas oil. ton
* Asphalt, ton
Lulk.x - - Cooling water, ton Pmcess water, ton
* Hydmgen, ton
-Steam, ton
Manoower:
Fuel oil, ton
* Total men for 3 shifs
-ve) Sign indicates by-prcduci
Meinken pmcess
1.266
0.095
0.049
0.214
0.008 -
- 0.060
-
0.075
75.000
-
-
-
33
Mohawk pmcess
1.343 -
-
-
-
3.76
0.135
0.176
0.116
2.003
97.020
0.003
0.667
31
, Table 3. Raw materials, utilities and manpower costs in Saudi Arabia.
Item
*- Waste oil, ton - Sulfuric Acid, ton Activated sludge, ton
*- Lime, ton - Ammonia water (23%),ton Catalyst, kg
Ihditia
* Fuel oil, ton
Cooling water, ton
* Process water. ton
9 Electricity, Kwh
Hydrogen, ton
* steam. ton
Manwwer:
* One man year ($/year)
Cost ($/unit)
53.52
160.00
673.00
316.00
387.00
3.41
110.00
0.019
0.803
0.015
65.000
4.630
18.000
905
Table 4. Production cost data.
Total fixed capital
Working capital
SIDF loan
Annual vanable expenses
Annual fixed expenses
Annual sales
Payback period (years)
Bd-even-point (% capacity)
IRR (96/year)
h e m
.- BR ayw-p m-cadtuecri~asls
-operating Cost
Indirect cost
General Expenses
TOlal production cost
_ _ _ _ _ ~
Meinlren Mohawk
RocesS RocesS
28.750 17.713
4,999 3.111
16,875 11,356
7,587 2.873
4,746 3.852
16.410 15,377
8.2 1.4
53.8 28.7
11.2 45.4
Meinken
mess
188.21
-6.64
70.63
71.03
25.56
348.79
Table 5. Basis of financial calculations.
I ltem
Mohawk
Recess
84.70
-24.52
63.08
50.34
24.82
198.41
Project life
Consuuction period
Depreciation method
Salvage value
Equity/SIDF loan
SIDF Loan fee
Loan payment
Tax rile
Inflation
C.a pital expenditure: 1st year
*- 2nd year 3rd year
Capacity utilization:
* Istyear
* 2nd and subsequent years
~ _ _ _ _ _
Calculaied Basis
20 years
3 w
Straight line
zao
50% each
3%
7 equal installments stanin8
2 years afler plant start-up
2.5 %
0.0 ?6
20% of fixed capital
45% of fixed capital
35% of rued capital plus
working capital
6046
100%
Table 6. Profitability of rerefining 50,OOO TF’A waste oil in
Saudi Arabia (IO00 $)
906
r I
90-
80-
-R 70.-
z I3T '
I
I
1
(I
rc'
d VACWY usnunow
Figure 1. Block flow diagram of Re-refining
of used oil by Meinken process
Figure 2. Block flow diagram of Re-refining
of used oil by Mohawk-CEP process.
04
85 90 95 100 105 110
PERCENT OF RAW MATERIAL PRICES
Figure 3. Effect of raw material prices on IRR.
5
907
THE EFFECT OF PROPYLENE PRESSURE ON SHAPE-SELECTIVE
ISOPROPYLATION OF BIPHENn OVER H-MORDENITE
Y. Suai, X. Tu'), T. Matsuzaki, T. Hanaoka Y. Kubota, J.-H. Kimb), and
M. Matsumoto"
National Institute of Materials and Chemical Research, AIST, Tsukuba, Ibaraki
305, Japan
') esearch and Development Center, Osaka Gas Co., Ltd., Osaka 554, Japan
"Department of Materials Science, Tottori University, Tottori 680, Japan
Keywords: shape-selectivity, acid site, isomerization
INTRODUCTION
Catalytic alkylation of aromatics using zeolites has been the subject of much
research, because it is essential to match the dimensions between reactants, products,
and zeolite pore to achieve highly shape-selective catalysis [1,2]. H-Mordenites have
been found as potential catalysts for the shape-selective alkylation of polynuclear
aromatics such as biphenyl [3-91, naphthalene [lo-141, and terphenyl [151. We
previously described the activity and the selectivity of the slimmest DIPB isomers,
4,4'-DIPB, were enhanced by the dealumination because of reactions inside pores,
and discussed the participation of external acid sites for the H-mordenite with the
low Sio?/d203 ratio because the pores were choked by coke-deposition [3-7]. However,
mechanisms of the catalysis by acid sites and of the steric requirement of substrate
and products in mordenite pores have not been fully understood.
In this paper, we describe the effect of propylene pressure on the isopropylation
of biphenyl over a highly dealuminated H-mordenite, and discuss the role of acid
sites at intracrystalline and external surfaces.
EXPERIMENTAL
Catalyata and reagents. H-Mordenite (HM(Z2Q), SiWAlfi = 220) was obtained
from Tosoh Corporation, Tokyo, Japan, and calcined at 500 'C just before use for
the reactions. Biphenyl and propylene were purchased from Tokyo Kasei Co. Ltd.,
Tokyo, Japan, and used without further purifications.
The alkylation was carried out without solvent using a 100 or
200 ml autoclave. Oxygen in the autoclave containing biphenyl and HM(220) was
purged out with flashing N2 before heating. After reaching reaction temperature,
propylene was supplied to the autoclave and kept at a constant pressure throughout
the reaction. A standard set of the reaction included: 200 mmol of biphenyl, 2 g
of HM(220), 0.8 MPa of propylene pressure, and 250 "C of temperature. Propylene
pressure was expressed by the difference between before and after the introduction
of propylene.
Isomerization of 4,4'-DIPB. The isomerization of 4,4'-DIPB was examined
under the condition as follows: 100 mmol of 4,4'-DIPB, 1 g of HM(220), 0-0.8 MPa
of propylene pressure, 250 "C of temperature, and 4 h of period.
Product analysis. The products were analyzed with a HP-5890 GC equipped
with a 25 ml Ultra-1 capillary column, and identified with a HP-5978 GC-MS. The
yield of every product was calculated on the basis of biphenyl used for the reaction,
and the selectivities of each IPBP and DIPB isomers are expressed as:
Alkylation.
Each DIPB (IPBP) isomer (mmol)
Total DIPB (IPBP) isomers (mmol)
Selectivity of DIPB (IPBP) isomers =
RESULTS and DISCUSSION
Effects of propylene pressure on the isopropylation
The isopropylation over HM(220) reached to above 80 % of conversion within
800 min at 250 "C under every propylene pressure among 0.1-0.8 MPa as shown
in Fig. 1. No significant effect of propylene pressure was observed in the initial
rate of the isopropylation although there were some differences in the late stage.
These results showed that primarily principal reaction was the alkylation over KM(220)
under every pressure. Figure 2 shows the profile of the formation of isopropylbiphenyl
(IPBP), diisopropylbiphenyl,@IPB), and triisopropylbiphenyl CnIPB) isomers expressed
on the basis of the converslon of biphenyl under various propylene pressures. The
yield of products under every pressure was on the same plot. These profiles show
that the alkylation proceeds by the same reaction paths under every propylene pressure.
908
/
I'
f
I
&?me 3 shows the effect of pressure on the yield of 4- and 3-IPEiP. No swmt
effects of propylene pressure on the yields were observed. The yield of 4-IPI3P reached
the maximum at 50-60 96 conversion, and decreased as further alkylation proceeded.
On the other hand, the yield of 3-IPBP increased monotonously with the conversion
of biphenyl. The predominant formation of 4-IPBP in the isopropylation of biphenyl
IPBp isomers occurs through the shape selective catalysis inside the pores at any
Propylene pressures. The isomerization of IPBP isomers was not observed under
these Conditions. The difference of the formation of 4- and 3-IPBP isomers can be
understood on the difference of their participation to form DIPB isomers. The profiles
of 3- and 4-IPBP shows that 4-IPBP is a sole precursor to produce DIPB isomers,
and that 3-IPBP does not participate to +e formation of 3,4'-DIPB, at least, except
the late stage of the reaction. Highly selective formation of 4,4'-DIPB is also ascribed
to the shape selective catalysis inside H-mordenite pores. The higher selectivity of
4,4'-DIPB compared to that of 4-IPBP shows that the isopropyl group of 4-IPBP gives
more severe restriction than the hydrogen group of biphenyl at the transition states
between propylene, biphenyl, and acid sites in the pores.
The formation of 4,4'-DIPB over HM(220) was much influenced by propylene
pressure as shown in Fig. 4. The selectivities were as high as 80 % under all pressure
conditions at early stages, and kept almost constant during the reaction under higher
pressures than 0.3 MPa' However, the decrease of the selectivity was observed under
lower pressures than 0.2 MPa, although no significant effects of pressure on the
selectivities were observed in the formation of IPBP isomers. The decrease of the
selectivity of 4,4'-DIPB corresponded to the increase of that of 3,4'-DIPB. The yields
of 4,4'- and 3,4'-DIPB were in linear relations to the yield of combined DIPB isomers
under higher pressure than 0.3 MPa. These results show that the alkylation occurs
in steady state under high propylene pressures. The yield of 4,4'-DIPB under such
a low pressure as 0.1 MPa was deviated downwards from the linear plot under higher
pressures, and the upward deviation occurred for the yield of 3,4'-DIPB. The amount
of 4,4'-DIPB decreased after reaching the maximum at higher conversion. The inq-ease
of the yield of 3,4'-DIPB corresponded to the decrease of the case of 4,4'-DIPB. These
results show that the decrease of the selectivity of 4,4'-DIPB is not due to the change
of shape-selectivity of the pore, but to its isomerization to 3,4'-DIPB because 3,4'-DIPB
is more thermodynamically stable isomer than 4,4'-DIPB. The analysis of the products
encapsulated inside the pores after the reaction showed that the distribution of 4,4'-DIF'B
was as high as 90 % under every propylene pressure [16].
Further isopropylation of 4,4'-DIPB occurred only in a small amount even under
high propylene pressure. This means that alkylation of 4,4'-DIPB is prevented in
the pore. H-mordenite pore allows the formation of 4- and 3-IPBP, and 4,4'- and
3,4'-DIPB, while the formation of TrIPB is forbidden in the pore.
Takahata and his co-workers found also the increase of the selectivity of 4,4'-DIPB
with raising propylene pressure over H-mordenite with the low siOy'M203 ratio [17].
Fellmann proposed that the increase of the selectivity was ascribed to the steric crowding
with accumulation of propylene at the active sites [IS]. However, our results show
that the change of the selectivity of 4,4'-DIPB with propylene pressure is due to the
isomerization of 4,4'-DIPB by preferential adsorption of propylene at the external
surface as discussed above.
The behavior of 4,4'-DIPB under propylene pressure
The behavior of 4,4'-DIPB during the reaction is one of the essential factors
for product distributions. Figure 5 shows the stability of 4,4'-DIPB in the presence
of propylene pressure over HM(220). Without propylene or under low propylene
pressure, 4,4'-DIPB was isomerized significantly to 3,4'-DIPB accompanying IPBP
isomers formed by the dealkylation. 'However, the formation of 3,4'-DIPB decreased
with the increase of propylene pressure. These tendencies correspond well with the
influences of propylene pressure in the alkylation. 4,4'-DIPB was found as exclusive
isomer encapsulated in H-mordenites under these conditions (16). These results
lead us to conclude that active sites for the isomerization of 4,4'-DIPB are not inside
the pores, but at external surface. The inhibition of the isomerization under high
propylene pressure show that propylene adsorbs more preferentially than 4,4'-DIPB
does. Adsorbed propylene prevents the adsorption of 4,4'-DIPB, and retards its
isomerization. However, the adsorption of 4,4'-DIPB predominates over that of propylene
under low propylene pressure to result in the enhancement of its isomerization.
Further isopropylation of 4,4'-DIPB under the conditions was observed only in
small amounts even under high propylene pressure; ie., the alkylation of 4,4'-DIPB
is prevented inside the pores. This is one of the reasons why shape-selective
isopropylation occurs in the catalysis of H-mordenite. H-mordenite pore allows
the formation of 3- and 4-IPBP, and 4,4'- and 3,4'-DIPB, while the formation of TrIPB
is forbidden in the pores. The higher steric restriction of 3,4'-DIPB compared with
that of 4,4'-DIPB results in the lowly formation of 3,4'-DIPB because molecular diameter
of the former isomer is bigger than that of the latter. The relatively high amount.
of nIPB was observed in the isomerization of 4,4'-DIPB under 0.1 MPa. TrIPB
is formed by the alkylation of DIPB isomers at the external surface because of low
propylene pressure.
.
909
Mechanistic aspects on the catalysis
The isopropylation of biphenyl over H-mordenite occurred inside the pores
by successive addition of propylene to biphenyl. Principal factor controlling the catalysis
is ascribed to steric restriction at the transition state composing biphenyl, propylene,
and acid sites. Predominant formation of 4-IPBP in the isopropylation of biphenyl
to IPBP isomers proceeds through the shape selective catalysis inside the pores.
The difference of 4- and 3-IPBP isomers for their formation and for their alkylation
to DIPB isomers is ascribed to the difference of their accommodations inside the pores.
4-IPBP is a sole precursor to form DIPB isomers, and that 3-IPBP does not participate
in the formation of 3,4-DIPB. Higher selectivity of 4,4'-DIPB compared with that
of 4-IPBP is due to the bulkiness of 4'-isopropyl group in 4-IPBP.
Propylene pressure changed significantly the selectivity of DIPB isomers in the
isopropylation of biphenyl over H-mordenite. The isomerization of 4,4'-DIPB occurred
under low pressure of propylene. However, total formations of IPBP and DIPB isomers
were on the same profiles under any propylene pressure. This means that the
isomerization occurs after the formation of 4,4'-DIPB. The distribution of 4,4'-DIPB
encapsulated in the pores was highly selective under any pressures 1161. These results
support that the isomerization of 4,4'-DIPB occurs at the external acid sites. The
isomerization under high propylene pressures is prevented by the preferential adsorption
of propylene on the acid sites, whereas under low propylene pressure, the adsorption
of 4,4'-DIPB predominates over that of propylene, and thus, the isomerization of 4,4'-
DIPB occurs at external acid sites.
The high selectivity of 4,4'-DIPB during the isopropylation suggests that the
difference of the rate among acid sites at intracrysatlline and external surface is
not so significant. It also reflects the amount of acid sites at the surfaces.
REFERENCES
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
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17.
18.
S. Csicsery, Zeolites, 4 (1984) 203.
Y. Sugi and M. Toba, Catal. Today, 19 (1994) 187.
T. Matsuzaki, Y. Sugi, T. Hanaoka, K. Takeuchi, T. Tokoro, and G. Takeuchi,
Chem. Express, 4 (1989) 413.
Y. Sugi, T. Matsuzaki, T. Hanaoka, K. Takeuchi, T. Tokoro, and G. Takeuchi,
Chemistry of Microporous Crystals (Stud. Surf. Sci. Catal., vol. 60), T. Inui, S.
Namba, T. Tatsumi (eds.), Kodansha, Tokyo, and Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1991,
pp. 303-330.
X. Tu, M. Matsumoto, T. Matsuzaki, T. Hanaoka, Y. Kubota, J.-H. Kim, and Y.
Sugi, Catal. Lett., 21 (1993) 71.
Y. Sugi, T. Matsuzaki, T. Hanaoka, Y. Kubota, J.-H. Kim, X. Tu, and M. Matsumoto,
Catal. Lett., 27 (1994) 315.
Y. Sugi, T. Matsuzaki, T. Takeuchi, T. Hanaoka, T. Tokoro, X. Tu, and G. Takeuchi,
Sekiyu Gakkaishi, 37 (1994) 376.
G.S. Lee, J.J. Maj, S.C. Rocke, and J.M. Garces, Catal. Lett., 2 (1989) 243.
T. Matsuda and E. Kikuchi, Zeolites and Microporous Crystals (Stud. Surf. Sci.
Catal., vol. 83), T. Hattori and T. Yashima (eds.), Kodansha, Tokyo, and Elsevier,
Amsterdam, 1994, pp. 295-302.
A. Katayama, M. Toba, G. Takeuchi, F. Mizukami, S. Niwa, and S. Mitamura,
J. Chem. SOC., Chem. Commun., (1991) 31.
P. Moreau, A. Finiels, P. Geneste, and J. Solofo, J. Catal., 136 (1992) 487.
Y. Sugi, J.-H. Kim, T. Matsuzaki, T. Hanaoka, Y. Kubta, X. Tu, and M. Matsumoto,
Zeolite and Related Microporous Materials: State of the Art 1994 (Stud. Surf.
Sci. Catal., vol. 84), J. Weitkamp, H.G. Karge, and W. Holderlich (eds.), Elsevier,
Amsterdam, 1994, pp. 1837-1844.
C. Song and S. Kirby, Microporous Materials, 2 (1994) 467.
J.-H. Kim, Y. Sugi, T. Matsuzaki, T. Hanaoka, Y. Kubota, M. Matsumoto, and
X. Tu, Microporous Materials, in press.
G. Takeuchi, H. Okazaki, M. Yamae, and K. Kito, ADD~C.a tal.. 76 (1991) 49. , . I . _. unpublished results.
K. Takahata, M. Yasuda, and H. Miki, Jpn. Tokkyo Kokai, 88-122635.
J. Fellmann, Catalytica Highlights, 17 (1991) 1.
910
i
100
80
20
0
0 0.1
0 0.2
W 0.3
0 0.4
A 0.8
0 200 400 600 600
Reaction period (min)
Fig. 1 Effect of propylene pressure on catalytic activity of HM(220) in the isopropylation
of biphenyl. Reaction conditions: biphenyl 400 m o l , HM(220) 2 g, propylene pressure
0.1-0.8 MPa, temperature 250 'C.
0
0 20 40 60 80 100
Conversion (%)
Fig. 2 Product Profile of the isopropylation of biphenyl. Reaction conditions were
the same as Fig. 1.
0 20 40 60 80 100
Conversion (?h)
Fig. 3 Effect of propylene pressure on the yield of 4- and 3-IPBP over HM(220).
Reaction conditions were the same as Fig. 1.
911
0
Yield of DIP6 (“70)
Fig. 4
Reaction conditions were the same as Fig. 1.
Effect of propylene pressure on the yield of 4,4‘- and 3,4’-DIPB over HM(220).
40 I
- 30 E.
,” 20
E
.0-)
CI
0
U
a
2
n i o
0
0 0.1 0.2 0.4 0.8
Propylene pressure (MPa)
Fig. 5 Effect of propylene pressure on the isomerization of 4,4’-DIPB over HM(220).
Reaction conditions: 4,4’-DIPB 100 m o l , HM(220) 1 g, temperature 250 ‘C, period
-1 h.
912
\
S E L E ~ V E DIALKYLATION OF NAPHTHALENE WITH HINDERED
ALKYLATING AGENTS OVER HM AND HY ZEOLITES UNDER LIQUID PHASE
CONDITIONS.
Patrice Morearr, Afrrrie Firtiels, Patrick Geneste, Frkdhic Morearr and ]orris Sorofo.
brhoratoire de Matiriurrx Cntalytiqrres et Catalyse err Cliirrrie Orgnriiqrie, URA CNR S
478, Ecole Nntiorinle Sigiirierire de Chimie , 8 rile de I’Ecole Norrimle, 34053
MONTPELLIERC edex I, FRANCE.
Keywords: zeolites, shape-selective alkylation, naphthalene, heterogeneous
catalysis.
INTRODUCTION
Whereas the use of zeolite catalysts has been widely investigated for the shapeselective
conversions of mononuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, such as alkylation of
toluene or isomerization of xylenesl-3, in contrast relatively few reports are
available on the conversion of polynuclear aromatics, such as naphthalene
derivatives. Among the latter, 2,6-dialkylnaphthalenes are the most valuable
compounds, since, as precursors of 2,6-naphthalene dicarboxylic acid, they are
potentially useful raw materials for production of high quality polyester fibers and
plastics4 and of thermotropic liquid crystal polymerss.
The interest of such derivatives was shown, in the recent years, by the
increasing number of patents relevant to their preparation and separation.
Following the pionneering work of Fraenkel et al? on the alkylation of
naphthalene with methanol over various zeolites, much attention has been paid,
in the early nineties, to studies on the activity and selectivity of zeolites in the
isopropylation of naphthalene’-9. The interest of the use of bulky substituents in
such reactions over zeolites has been clearly demonstrated by recent papers10-*2.
The present communication is concerned with the results obtained in the
alkylation of naphthalene over a series of HM and HY zeolites, using isopropyl
bromide, cyclohexyl bromide and cyclohexene as alkylating agents, under liquidphase
conditions, leading to a better regulation of the reaction pathway.
EXPERIMENTAL
Materials. Analytical grade cyclohexane, isopropyl bromide, cyclohexyl
bromide, cyclohexene and naphthalene (Aldrich Chemical) were used as supplied.
Catalysts. H mordenite (Zeolon 100-H, Si/Al = 6.9 from Norton) and three
dealuminated mordenites were used for the isopropylation reactions. The
dealuminated mordenites were prepared, according the published procedurel3,
from Zeolon 100-H (HM) by treatment in 1M HCI solution at 100°C for 3 h or
refluxing in 3 M HCI solution for 6 h or in 6 M HCI solution for 12 h. The resulting
powders, washed and oven dried at llO°C, had Si/Al atomic ratios of 9 (HMI), 13.1
(IIMz), and 20.6 (1-hf3). The HY catalyst was derived from the thermal
decomposition of NH4Y (Linde SK 41, Si/AI = 2.5 from Union Carbide). The US-HY
was supplied by Chemisch Fabrik Uetikon, Zurich (26-05-01, Si/AI = 2.5). The CVDmodified
zeolites were obtained according the silanation procedureg, and fully
characterized by various techNcs14.
For the cyclohexylation reactions, the US-HY used was the same as above. The
dealuminated HY (Si/Al = 19.5) and HM (%/AI = 10.8) were from Zeocat, Montoir
de Bretagne (ZF 520 and ZM 510).
Catalytic runs. The isopropylation of naphthalene was carried out in a 0.1 liter
stirred autoclave reactor (Sotelem). In a typical Nn, the autoclave was charged with
1 of zeolite freshly calcined in air at SOOT, a mixture of 5 mmol naphthalene and
10 mmol isopropyl bromide in 50 ml of cyclohexane and heated to 200°C. Samples
were withdrawn periodically and analyzed by GLC (Altech OW capillary column, 10
m or 25 m x 0.25mm).
reactions with cyclohexyl bromide. When cyclohexene was used, the procedure was
the following: the autoclave was charged with naphthalene (5 mmol), cyclohexane
(50 ml) and the catalyst (1 g), and heating was started; cyclohexene (10 mmol) was
then added, drop by drop, by means of a stainless steel pressurized funnel, and the
//
I The same procedure and analysis technic were used for cyclohexylation
/
1
913
,
niixture was stirred in tlie same conditions as above.
For the isolalion and purificalion of 2,6-dicycloliexyInaplithalene, the
procedure was llie following: afler cooling, tlie calalysl was fillered and cyclohexane
evaporaled; tlie crude product solidified at room temperature, [lie solid was then
fillered and recrystallized from elhanol (my 152°C afler two recryslallizalioiis). The
structure was confirmed by GC-MS, If1 and 1% NMK speclroscopy together willi Xray
crystallography~5.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
lsopropylation reaction over HM and IIY zeolites. The isopropylation of
naplillialene with isopropyl bromide over a series of niordeiiiles and Y zeolites
show that bolli conversion and seleclivity depend largely upon tlie nature and the
slruclure of llie calalysl. Tlie main resulls, obtained in lliis study and reporled in
Table 1, can be summarized as follows:
- morcleiiites are less active than Y zeolites;
- in bolli cases, a high p-selectivity is found, leading to the selective formation of 2-
iso~~ro~~yliiap1il1ialaennde a mixture of 2,6- + 2,7-diiso~~ropylnaplillialenes;
- llie formation of Irialkylnaplitlialenes cannot be avoided over untrealed zeolites.
The origin of llie high pselectivily observed is differeiil depending on tlie
zeolite. Over H-mordenites, such a selectivily is explained as Ilie result of
transition-stale shape seleclivity, due lo Ihe constrained environment in tlie
channels of tlie mordenile; the steric hindrance of the I-isopropyliiaplillialene (uisomer)
does not allow its formation inside tlie tight one-dimensional tunnels of
tlie zeolite. Over Y zeoliles, tlie pseleclivity has been shown to be due to a
thermodynamic equilibrium favorable to the 2-isopropyliiaplitlialene; [lie 1-
isoproi~yliiaplillialene (kinetic product) is iiiilially formed inside llie tlireedimensional
large-pore slructure of Y zeolites, and it is then rearranged into tlie 2-
isonier (Iliermodynamic product) at high temperatures.
Over I l ie two kinds of zeolites, 2,6- and 2,7-diisopropylna~~litlialenesa re tlie
main disubstituted derivatives. Such a result is expected taking into account tlie p
seleclivity observed in the monoisopropylation step, wliatever [lie origin of this
selecl ivity.
I n both cases, in our experimental conditions, the same distribulion belween
llie 2,6- and 2,7- isomers (2,6-/2,7- ratio = 1) is observed; such a result seems not
surprising, i f we consider Ihat these two isomers have tlie same kinetic diameter
(6.5A), and that llieir production and subsequent diffusion in tlie pores or cavities of
zeolites occur in the same way. Nevertheless, a higher 2,6-/2,7- ratio is generally
observed over niordeiiites by some a u t l ~ o r s ~va~ri~ou~s~ a~ss;u mplions, such as
differences in diffusion rates or in the ease of transition-slate formation for the two
isomers, might explain these higher ratios, obtained in different experinienlal
conditions.
These results are very encouraging regnrding the efficiency of Ilie calalytic
nclivity of zeolites in isopropylalion of naplillialene and heir shape seleclivily
properties. Nevertheless, the selective formation of the 2,6-isomer is not possible in
any case. Tlie possibilily of an improvemenl of such a seleclivity has then been
considered by tlie use of eillier modified zeoliles or more hindered alkylaliiig
agenls.
lsopropylation over CVDmodified zeolites. Shape-seleclivily of zeolites may
be improved by reducing the number of active siles of the external surface. II is
known Ilia1 silanation of zeolites leads not only lo such a deactivalion of the outer
active sites bul also to a uniform control of the pore-opening size of the ze0lile1~,~~.
The “chemical vapor deposition” silanation metliodlR leads, iii parlicular, to a
remarkable enliancemenl of the reaclanl and product sliape-selectivity~9~~~.
Over such CVD-modified zeoliles, the formation of tlie bulky
tria~kyltia~~lit~ialeniess lotally suppressed i n l l ie case of niordenites, and
considerably reduced with tlie t i Y zeolites (2% compired with 14% over llie
untreated zeolite) (Table 1). Such a result clearly demoiilrales that tlie trialkylation
reaction occurs on llie acidic siles located on tlie external surface of mordeniles. The
acidic outer siles of the IIY zeolites are also largely involved in tlie formation of tlie
triisopropyl derivatives, which can be, neverlheless, produced also inside the
cavities of these three-dimensional large-pore Y zeolites.
The results obtained in the isopropylation of the 2-isopropyliiaplillialene over
CVD-modified HY zeolite, i.e. a drastic decrease in the amount of
triisopropyliiaplitlialenes (4% instead of 18% over tlie untreated f4Y), leading lo an
914
\‘
/
\
Y
J
enliancetiiell~ of [lie pseleclivily over the CVD-modified 1 IY for IIiis reaclioti (85x1,
codirlii such an involvement.
Wilh CVD-modified 1 IM, llie 2-isopropyltiaplillialetie is llie major product
(90% a1 10% coilversion); despile (lie low conversion, Iliis resull inusl be lakeii into
accounl because 2-isopropylnaplillialene can be easily separated from llie reaclion
iiiixlure by siinple dislillation, and then isopropylaled as slarling material for
diisopropylnalvlllllalelie production. Willi CVD-modified I-IY zeolites, a high psdeclivily
(>90X) is oblained, corresponding lo 63% ot 2-isopropylnaplillialene and
30% of 2.6- + 2,7-diisopropylnaphllialenes at 70% conversion.
The overall resulls show that, from a synllielic poiti1 ot view, the CVDmodified
zeolites appear IO be the best calalysts witti wliicli it is possible to
selectively obtain p- and ~ p ' i-s omers.
Cycluliexylatiun reaction over IIY zeolites. As already said above, no seleclivily
in 2,6-diiso~~ro~~ylnaplillialecnoeu ld be found despite (lie liindrance of llte
isopropyl group; moreover, the separalion of 2.6- and 2,7-diisopropyl isomers is
very difficult. 11 was reported that, in the cycloliexylalion reaclioti of naplillialene
under conventional conditions (i.e. over Friedel-Crafts calalysls, such as aluminum
chloride), llie 2,6-dicycloliexyInaplilhalene could be isolaled, in a very low yield,
from the reaclion mixture by crystallizalion21.22.
Taking inlo account such a property and the sleric hindrance of llie cycloliexyl
group, we studied the catalylic aclivilies of a sample of It-mordenile and IWO
samples of I IY zeolites in the cycloliexylation reaclion ot naplillialene with
cycluliexyl bromide and cyclohexene respeclively (Table 2).
The I h x m l e n i t e presents a weak activity in llie reaclion willt the cyclohexyl
broiiiide, as shown by the low conversion of naplillialene (676) a1 200"C, whereas
the I I Y zeoliles appear lo be very efficient even at lower temperalures. The
ullraslable zeolile I-IY (SiIAI = 2.5) arid lhe dealutninaled sample (Si/Al = 20) exliibil
siiiiilar aclivily and selectivities a1 Ihe same temperalures, as shown on Table 2.
M e n cycloliexene is used as the alkylating agenl instead of cycloliexyl broiiiide, a
sliglil difference is observed i f the reaclion is carried out under the same conditions
(naplillialene and alkylaling agent put together in the auloclave), due lo
diinerisalion of cyclohexene. When cyclohexene is added drop by drop to tlie stirred
mixlure, llie same resulls are illen obtained, bolh in conversion and seleclivity.
The compirison of cyclohexylalion with isopropylalion of naplitlialene over
llie ullraslable zeolile US-CIY under lhe same condilions is given on Table 3. In bolh
reaclions, a high conversion of naphthalene is obtained after short reaction times
(10 iiiiii with cyclohexyl bromide, 1 Ii w i l l i isopropyl bromide).
The cyclohexylalion reaclion yields an increasing amount of 2,6- and 2,7-
dicycloliexyliiaplillialenes, logellier wilh a significant decreasing amourit of lrialkyl
derivatives due to the steric hindrance of (he cycloliexyl group, leading IO an
iiiiprovernenl of llie 0-p' seleclivily (82% compared will1 71%). Neverllieless, [ l i e
relative distribution of the 2,6- and 2,7- isomers does not dramatically change (2,6-
/2,7- = 0.95 lor isopropyl arid 1.1 for cycloliexyl. Such a resull confirms lliel Y zeolites
increase l l i e 141' selectivity, but do not lead to llie predoiiiitiaiil foritlation of otie
given dialkyl isomer.
The advantage of [lie cycloliexylation in comparison witlt the isolvropylation is
direclly relaled lo Ilie physical properlies of llie 2,6-dicycloliexyInapliIIialene, wliicli
is sqiaraled from the mixture by crystallization.
Pure 2,6-dicycluliexyIiia~lilIialeiie (while cryslals, nip = 152°C) is isolaled in
tiiotlernle yields (19 lo 277%) depending on (lie zeolilesa.
915
As shown above, this crystalline 2,6-dicyclohexylnaphthalene contains a
crystallographic symmetry centre; the cyclohexyl subsliluents adopt a chair
conformation, and the presence of the two bulky substituents involves only a slight
deviation from flatness for the naphthalene ring's.
CONCLUSION
The liquid-phase alkylation of naphthalene with hindered alkylating agents
such as isopropyl and cyclohexyl derivatives can be carried out efficiently over HM
and HY zeolites. High conversions and efficient 6-v selectivities are obtained after
very short reaction times at 200°C. In the case of isopropylation with isopropyl
bromide, the use of zeolites modified by silanation of the external surface leads to
an improvement of such a selectivity by suppressing or reducing the formation of
the triisopropyl derivatives. The use of cyclohexyl derivatives, cyclohexyl bromide
or cyclohexene, as alkylating agents, yields, over HY zeolites, an increasing amount
of 2,6- and 2,7-dicyclohexylnaphthalenes, together with a significant decreasing of
the trialkyl derivatives. Moreover, the 2,6-di~clohexyInaphtlialene, a crystalline
compound, is easily separated from the reaction mixture by crystallization, which is,
to our knowledge, the first exemple of the production of a pure 2,6-
dialkylnaphtlialene.
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1
2
3
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8
9
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11
12
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23
Venuto, P.B. Micropororis Mnfrriuls 1994,2, 297 and references therein.
Chen, N.Y.; Kaeding, W.W.; Dwyer, F.G. /. Alii. Clrrrri. Soc. 1979,707,6783.
Kaeding, W.W.; Chu, C.; Young, L.B.; Weintein, B.; Butter, S.A. 1. Cnlnl. 1981,
67,159.
Caydos, R.M. in "Kirk Othmer Encyclopaedia of Chemical Technology" (Kirk,
R.E.; Othmer, D.F., Eds.); Wiley: New York, 1981, vol 15, p 698.
Song, C.; Schobert, I4.H. Firel Proc. Tech. 1993,34,157.
Fraenkel, D.; Cherniavsky, M.; Ittah, B.; Levy, M. /. C,rlnl. 1986, 207,273.
Katayama, A,; Tobe, M.; Takeuchi, G.; Mizukami, F.; Niwa, S.; Mitamura, S. /.
C h i . Soc., CJrmi. Cotrrin., 1991, 39.
Fellmann, J.D.; Saxton, R.J.; Weatrock, P.R.; Derouane, E.C.; Massiani, P.
U.S.Patent no 5,026,942,1991.
Moreau, P.; Finiels, A,; Geneste, P.; Solofo,J./. Cnlrrl. 1992,736,487.
Song, C.; Kirby, S. Micropororis Msferinls 1994,2,467.
Sugi, Y.; Kim, J.H.; Matsuzaki, T.; Hanaoka, T.; Kubota, Y.; Tu, X.; Matsumoto,
M. Sfrid. Sirif. Sri. Gzfnl. 1994,84, 1837.
Chu, S.J.; Chen, Y.W. Appl. Cnfnl. A 1995, 723,51.
Fajula, F.; Ibarra, R.; Figueras, F.; Gueguen, C. /. Grlrrl. 1984,89,60.
Chamoumi, M.; Brunel, D.; Fajula, F.; Ceneste, P.; Moreau, P.; Solofo, 1.
Z ~ o l i t e s19 94,74, 282.
Moreau, P.; Solofo, J.; Geneste,P.; Finiels, A.; Rambaud, J.; Declercq, J.P. Acfn
Cryslnllogr. 1992, C48,397.
Niwa, M.; Kato, S.; Hattori, T.; Murakami, Y. /. Cliern. SOC., Frirndny Trnm I
1984,80,3135.
Niwa, M.; Kawashima, Y.; Murakami, Y. /. Clretri. Soc., Frimdoy Trtnis I1985,
87,2757.
Niwa; M.; ltoh, H.; Kato, S.; Hattori, T.; Murakami, Y. 1. Ckerrr. Soc., Cketrr.
Corrrrri. 1982, 819.
Niwa, M.; Kato, S.; Hattori, T.; Murakami, Y. /. Plrys. Clierri. 1986,90,6233.
Bein, T.; Carver, R.F.; Farlee, R.D.; Stucky, G.D. /. Ani. Clr~rrr. Soc. 1988,170,
4546.
Bodroux, E. Airri. Cliiiii. Pliys. 1929, 77,535.
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Solofo, I.M; oreau, P.; Geneste, P.; Finiels, A. P a In t. Appl. WO 91 0159, 1991.
916
Table 1. Isopropylation of Naphlalene over a Spries of Untreated and CM)
Modified Zeolites at 200°C with Isopropyl bromide
J
Catalyst lime. naphlh. product distribulion. D selectivity, 5%
h
0Wl.ll
COIIY., s
2bAiU
Dim Erlect
MLEci DlPN Tu'N
2-1PN 2.5 27- oltm
HM 24 18 81 4 4 3 8 72 09
HMt 24 60 74 7 6 5 10 70 87
HM2 24 20 61 13 11 9 9 74 a5
HM3 24 16 55 14 13 7 9 80 82
HY 1 e6 42 16 17 12 14 73 74
US-HY 1 97 28 19 20 16 17 71 67
CVD-HM I IO 90 3 4 3 0 70 97
CVD-HY 1 70 63 15 15 5 2 w 93
Table 2. Cyclohexylation of Naphtalene over Zeolites at ?OU' C with
Cyclohe.lyl bromide (CB) and Cyclohexene (CH)
Calalyrt Alkylal. lime, naphth. pmduct distribution, p. vlectivity 2%
agent min cmv., D
MCN CCN TCN 2b.-2.7- DCN
MCN IXN DCN
Hhl CB 70 6 5 6 4 4 46 16 27
H W CB 10 % 31 67 2 6 43 82
w 2 0 CB 10 94 53 46 1 0 43 79
CHa 10 90 85 15 53 2o 36
CHb 2S 98 4 4 5 4 2 7 41 n
a CH charged together with naphthalene in the autoclave before heating. b CH added drop by drop. C time
corresponding to the end of addltion of naphthalene.
Table 3. lsopropylalion and Cyclohexylation of Naphtalene over US-HY Zeolite at 2OWC
with Isopropyl bromide (IB) and Cyclohexyl bromide (CB)
Alkyl. time naphlh. product distribution, s *lect,"Oty. 7.
agenl min c a w 3 DAN^ -
MANa 26 27- L6+2.7- o l k n TANC DAN
~~
Is 60 97 28 19 20 39 16 17 71
CB 10 96 31 29 26 55 12 2 82
1 MAN : manoalkylnaphthalenes. DAN : dialkylnaphthalmes. =TAN : bialkylnaphthalenes.
911
REGIOSELECTIVE ISOPROPYLATION OF DINUCLEAR AROMATICS
OVER DEALUMINATED MORDENITE CATALYSTS
a r e w D. scheuta and Chunshan Song
Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Fuel Science Program. 209 Academic Projects Building
Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802
Keywords: napht halene. biphenyl, shape-selective alkylation
Summarv
Selenivc addition of propylene tn naphthalene or biphenyl over dealuminated H.mordcnite
(HM)r ~r a l y s t si s being used to produce 2.6-diisnpropylnaphth;1len(e2 .6.DIPN) and 4.4'-
diisopropylbiphenyl (4,4'-DIPB), respecrively. When oxidized, these selectively suhstituted
dinuclcar ammatics become monomer!+ for liquid cryslalline polymers and engineering plastirs "'
Wo. and others. have shown that IIM deolumination increases alkylation regiosclectivity for
isopropylation of binuclear aromatics.6-'C In this paper. we more closely examine the effects of
IIM dealurninat ion on catalyst anivity and regoselectivity, as well as effects on c:;italyst physical
properties
Two different mordcnitcs were dealuminated by mineral arid 1e;iching. HM 14 and I-IM38,
having SiO~N20, (mol ratio) of 14 and 38, respectively. For naphthalene isopropylation. dealu.
mination of IIM14 increases the 2.6-DIPN isomer selectivity from 30 to 60%. Dealumination of
HM.38 gives similar results but with lower rcgioselectivity. For comparison. 4,4'-DIPU
regiosclcctivity was examined in biphenyl isopropylation over a series of mordenites with
SiO~U,O, 14-230. Selectivity for the 4.4'-isomcr increased from 66 to 87%. Therefore, increased
selectivity for the slimmest diisopmpyl-isomer with deahnination is a general property: it occurs
with differrnt mordcmtr starting materials and different, but similar in srm and shape, reactant
moleculcs.
Selectivity for p-substitution of naphthalene seems tu correlate with changes in IIM
mesopore volume brought about by deulumination. An increase in the mesopore volume is
mirrored by an increase in 2.G-DIPN isomer selectivity. IiM micropore voliimos do not chnngc
appmciably It has been shown that the two PP-disubstituted naphthalenes have nearly identical
critical diameters. biit 2.6-DIPN has a somewhat more linear structure than 2.7.DIPN."6
Consequently. 2,G-DII'N has a lower activation energy for diffusion in lIM.G This explains why
HM catalysts typically give 2.61'2.7 DII'N isomer ratios greater than unity We have used X-ray
powder diffraction to measure the dwrease in HM UNI cell volumes caused by dcalumination The
2.61'2.7 DlPN ratio shows an approximate inverse relationship with the unit. cell volumes. A
probable cuplanaition is that the unit cell contractions caused by dea1umin;ition decrease the
channel diameter. slightly, resulting in more snug fit for the Pp-disubstituted isomers in the
channels As if consequence, the difference in diffusion rates for 2.6- und 2.7-DIPN IS magnified.
Catalyst Preparation. The procedures used in this work have been described earlier.'
Mordenite catalysts CBV 10A (NaM14), CBV 20A (HM21) and CBV 30.4 (HM38) were supplied
as 10 pm average particle size powders P Q Corporation). HM14 was generated from NaM14 by
sodium-exchanged with 1 M NH,Cl. Dealumination was accomplished by stirring HM in aqueous
hydrochloric or nitric acid at reflux temperature. Time and acid concentration were varied to
control the extent of aluminum removal. All catalysts were calcined 5.5 h at 465 "C except
HM230. HM230 was prepared according to a procedure described by Lee et al. for extensive
aluminum removal.'6 Accordingly, NaM14 was first treated at reflux with 1 M HCI to generate
the HM54 sample. In the second step, HM54 was calcined at 700 "C and treated with 6 M HNO,,
followed by final calcination at 700 'C. Samples were dissolved using lithium metaborate fusion
and analyzed for silicon, aluminum and sodium by ICP-AES. Sorption data and residual sodium
content for the catalysts are listed in Table 1.
Catalyst Eualuotion. AS described previously, catalyst testing was done in a tubingbomb
batch reactor charged with 0.10 6 catalyst, 1.0 g (7.8 mmol) naphthalene, and 0.66 g (15.fi mmol)
propylene.' Naphthalene and biphenyl (Aldrich, 99% grades) and propylene (Matheson, 99.5 %
minimum, polymer purity) were used bs supplied. Solution products were analyzed by GC-MS and
GC-FID for qualitative and quantitative analyses. respectively, using a 30m x 0.25mm DB-17
(J&W Scientific) column.
X-ray powder diffraction GRD) was done on a Scintag 3100 diffractometer using nickelfiltered
Cu Ka radiation. The Cu Ka2 component was stripped from the patterns using the
standard Scintag algorithm, so the wavelength used in the calculations is 1.540598 A. Samples
were mixed with ca. 10 wt% -325 mesh silicon internal standard for 28 corrections. The scan rate
was 0.5" 201min with 0.02" steps. XRD pattern indexing and determination of lattice constants
for HM (CMC~I space group) was done using the JCPDS-NEWLSQ82 unit cell refinement
computer p r ~ g r am.T' ~hi s program minimizes the sum S defined in equation 1, where Ocorr are
I J
I
I
the observed Bragg angles, corrected for instrumental and physical peak shifts, and OcaIC are
calculated h m th e m n t u nit cell parameters and the weighting factors Whkk Starting values
for Owlc are determind from the input unit cell parameters which are then adjusted, using a
nonlinear least-squares method, to minimize S. This approach can lead to cell parameters
accurate to a few parts in 1 0 , 0 0 0 . ~ ~
Sorption analyses were done on either of two automated instruments: a Coulter SA 3100, or
Quantachrome Autosorb. Samples were outgassed at 400 “C. Multipoint surface areas were
calculated by the BET method. Micropore volumes were calculated using the T-plot method.
Zsopmpylation ofNaphthalene. Catalyst test data for the two serigs of dealuminated HM
catalysts is presented in Table 2. Greater than 98% of the products are isopropylnaphthalenes
UPN’s). The predominant side reactions result in small amounts of alkylnaphthalenes that are
not solely isopropyl-substituted. Mass balances are greater than 96% in all cases, with material
losses being primarily attributed to carhonaceous deposits on the catalyst.
The effects of dealumination on catalyst performance are shown in graphically in Figures 1-3.
HM54 has abnormally low activity so its data for were omitted from these graphs because.
HM230 has higher activity than expected, apparently due the higher activation temperature used
in its preparation. Both HM14- and HM38 derived catalysts show similar activity patterns:
naphthalene conversion first increases, then decreases as aluminum is removed from the lattice
(volcano plots, Figure 1). This type of activity trend is quite common for HM and is due to the
decreasing acid site densit and increasing acid site strength that occurs with dealumination as
SiOdA120, ratios, probably due to gross depletion of acid sites. HM38-derived catalysts retain
reasonable activity to higher ratios, indicative of higher acid site concentrations. HM93 (from
HM38) shows a moisture loss on ignition 2.5 times the amount desorbed from HM90 (from
HM14). This also suggests that HM38-derived catalysts have higher acid site concentrations than
HM14-derived catlysts at the same Si0,/.N2O3 ratio.
As shown in Figure 2, DIPN yield and selectivity are increased hy dealurnination up to the
same maxima defined in Figure 1. Beyond these maxima, monoalkylation dominates and TrIPN+
production falls to near zero. However, p- substitution selectivity (%P-MIPN and %2,6-DIPN)
continues to increase with more extensive aluminum removal (Figure 3). This means that a larger
fraction of the naphthalene and 2-MIPN molecules are reacting within the confines of the HM
channels where a-substitution is sterically blocked. Less reaction occurs on the external surface
acid sites which are non-selective. The first alkylation step is much more rapid than the second.
Furthermore, since ortho-substitution of naphthalene by propylene is sterically prevented,
formation of TrIPN+ products must involve or-substitution. Consequently, TrIPN+ product
concentrations also decrease considerably at higher levels of dealumination. Sugi et al. made
similar observations on this reaction.’ They also showed that the external-surface acid sites of
HM I28 could be preferentially deactivated to improve P- substitution selectivity, while still
maintaining the activity for selective substitution inside the channels. Figure 3 also shows that
the ultimate attainable p- Substitution selectivity depends on the choice of HM starting material.
The HM catalysts have, on average, 38% of the their total pore volume in the mesopore region
(20-600 A diameter). Using XRD line-broadening, we determined the mean crystallite dimensions
for HM14, HM74 and HMllO to be 0.23 f 0.02 pm, and for HM230, 0.14f 0.01 pm5 Laserscattering
measurements reported by the manufacturer show that the mordenite starting
materials have average particle sizes of about 10 pm. It is likely that most of the mesopore
volume is in the intersticies between crystals in the catalyst particles, and dealumination
increases the interstitial (mesopore) volume.
The constraints of the microporous channels not only gives rise to the desired regioselective
alkylations, but also impede diffusion of the desired products. If formation of the p-substituted
products is diffusion limited, an increase in the mesopore volume should increase the rate of their
production. Figure 4 shows that the p-substitution selectivity does, in fact, closely arallel HM
mesopore volume. Lee et al. showed a similar trend for isopropylation of biphenyl.”To account
for concurrent, but less pronounced, increase in micropore volumes, it has been proposed that
lattice-bound aluminum is removed from the 4-membered rings that separate the 12-membered
rings of the main channels h m t he neighboring 8-membered ring side-pockets.I8 Lee e t al. have
suggested that propylene may preferentially diffuse through these 8-membered ring channels that
run perpendicular to the main channels, and are inaccessible to naphthalene.I6
Pore volume changes do not seem to explain why the 2,6/2,7 DIPN isomer ratio increases
with dealumination, considering these two isomers have nearly identical critical diameter^.^.^
Horsley et ai. used molecular graphics screening and molecular mechanics calculations to provide
convincing evidence that 2,6-DIPN, with its slightly more linear structure, has a lower activation
energV for dfision than 2,7-DIPN in the minochannels of HM.6 With its isopropyl groups on the
same side of the molecule, steric repulsions are maximum when 2.7-DIPN diffuses into the pore
windocus; whereas, diffusion of 2,6-DIPN is significantly less hindered.6 Since the channel
diameter is obviously a critical parameter in determining the 2.6/2,7 DIPN ratio, we used X-ray
powder diffraction to measure the changes in HM unit cell volumes caused by dealumination.
These data are listed in Table 3. where the cited errors limits are the standard errors calculated
by the LsQ82 program. Mordenite was the only phase detected in the patterns. HM79 seems to
be an anomaly because its cell parameters are much lower than expected. The XRD pattern for
catalyst is of low intensity suggesting that some structural collapse may have occurred during
discussed elsewhere.6,18. 7 ’ Both series of catalysts show a severe loss in activity at high
919
its dealumination. Still, there is a general trend of unit cell contraction with dealumination, with
the largest change being in the b-direction. HM71 shows the following magnitudes of contraction
relative to HM14: a, 0.59%; b, 0.77%; c. 0.65%; and volume, 2.0%. As shown in Figure 5 for the
six samples, excluding the anomalous HM79 data, the 2,6/2,7 DIPN ratio shows an approximate
reciprocal relation to the changes in unit cell volume. A probable explanation is that HM
dealumination causes a slight shrinkage in the channel diameter that results in more snug fit Of
the 2,6- and 2,7.DIPN isomers in the channels. Diffusion of 2.7-DIPN becomes even more
hindered than in the non-dealuminated HM case.
Zsopropylotion of Biphenyl. General applicability of the dealumination procedure for
improvement of regioselectivity was evaluated by examining biphenyl isopropylation over selected
dealuminated mordenites. The experimental results are showdin Table 4 and in Figures 6-7.
Greater than 99% of the products are isopropylbiphenyls with a small percentage of other
alkylbiphenyls which are not solely isopropyl-substituted. Tetrambstitution of biphenyl is not
observed. The trends in alkylation regioselectivity are remarkably similar to those observed for
the naphthalene reaction. Conversion and DIPB yield increase with initial dealumination, then
both decrease at higher SiO,/AI,O, ratios. Formation of 3-MIPB is not effected much by
dealurnination; whereas, the concentration of 2-MIPB in the product goes to near zero. Neglecting
isomers with isopropyl groups ortho to each other, there are 10 possible DlPB isomers. We
observe 9 peaks in the GC-MS having m/z of 238. At present, only the three DIPB isomers listed
in Table 4 can be identified with certainty. Of the remaining 7 isomers, there is the 3,5-isomer,
and 6 isomers involving substitutionat the 2-position(s). Consequently, it is not so surprising that
the concentrations of compounds labeled other-DIPB closely parallel the 2-MIPB concentrations.
Overall, isopmpylation of biphenyl is a more eficient process than isopropylation of naphthalene.
Separation of mono-, di- and polysubstituted products from each other is easy in comparison
to separation of positional isomers. Dealuminated HM can give 4,4'-DIPB isomer selectivity over
80%, and an isomer ratio with the next most concentrated isomer, 3,4'-DIPB, of about 8. On the
other hand, selectivity for the target 2,6-DIPN isomer is only about 60% with a 2.6/2,7 DIPN not
exceeding 2.3 in this work. It should be noted that 2.6-DIPN isomer selectivity of over 65%, with
2,6/2,7 DIPN exceeding 2.6, can he achieved by adding a small amount of water to the reactor or
by increasing the reaction t emp e r a t ~ r eo, r~ b y using isopropanol as the alkylating agent.3
Conclusions
Dealumination of HM14 increases the 2,6-DIPN isomer selectivity from 30 to 60%. While a
similar tend is observed for dealumination of HM38, lower regioselectivity is obtained. However,
HM38 retains reasonable activity to higher Si0,/A1,03 ratios than HM14 does. Both factors
demonstrate that performance of the dealuminated catalysts is dependent upon the choice of
starting material. In comparison biphenyl isopropylation experiments, it was found that 4,4'-DIPB
regioselectivity can be increased from 66 to 87% by HM dealumination. Therefore, increased selectivity
for the slimmest diisopmpyl-isomer with dealumination is a general property: it occurs with
different mordenite starting materials and different, but similar in size and shape, reactant
molecules.
Comparing regioselectivity and sorption data, we found that a higher percentage of reaction
occurs in the confnes of the mordenite channels when the density of non-selective external
surface acid sites is diminished by dealumination. Relative diffusion rates seem to be a major
controlling factor in determining selectivity. Reducing diffusion resistance by increasing the
mesopomus volume in the catalyst particle intersticies results in an increase in DIPN yield and
2,6-DI PN isomer selectivity.
As reported elsewhere, 2,6-DIPN has a slightly smaller critical diameter and lower activation
energy for diffusion in HM than 2,7-DIPN.3,6 We used a careful analysis of the unit cell
parameters to show that the 2,6/2,7 DIPN ratio increases as the unit cell volumes decrease with
aluminum removal. A prnhable explanation is that HM dealumination causes aslight shrinkage
of the channel diameter, increasing the difference in diffusion rates for 2,6- and 2,7-DIPN.
AcknowledeenxuLa
We would like to acknowledge the encouragement and support of Prof. Harold Schohert at
the Pennsylvania State University. We would also like to thank the PQ Corporation, Inc. for
graciously providing the mordenite starting materials with detailed analytical data, and Prof.
Deane K. Smith a t the Pennsylvania State University for his assistance in the XRD work.
I.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Song, C.; Schobert, H. H. Specialty Chemicals and Advanced Materials from Coals: Research
Needs and Opportunities Am. Chem. SOC.Di u. Fuel Chem. frepr. 1992, 37(2), 524-532.
Song, C.; Schobert, H. H. Opportunities for Developing Specialty Chemicals and Advanced
Materials from Coals Fuel Process. Technol. 1993, 34, 157-196.
Song, C.; Kirby. S. Shape-Selective Alkylation of Naphthalene with Isopropanol Over
Mordenite Catalysts Microporous Materials 1994, 2, 467-476.
Song, C.; Schobert, H. H. Non-Fuel Uses of Coals and Synthesis of Chemicals and Materials
Am. Chem. SOCD.i u. Fuel Cheni. f repr . 1995, 40(2), 249-259.
Schmitz. A. D.; Song, C. Shape-Selective lsopropylation of Naphthalene Over Dealuminated
Mordenites Am. Chem. SOC.Di u. Fuel Chem. frepr. 1994, 39(4), 986-991.
920
' I
' I s 1 i
/
I
I
6.
7.
8.
9..
10.
11.
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13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
Horsley, J. A.; Fellmann, J. D.; Derouane, E. G.; Freeman, C. M. Computer-Assisted
Smening of Zeolite Catalysts for the Selective lsopmpylation of Naphthalene J. Catal. 1994,
hktev, A. S.; Chekriy, P. S. Alkylation of Binuclear Aromatics with Zeolite Catalysts in
"&lites and Related Microporous Materials: State of the Art 1994,"S tud. surf. SC~c.a lol.
Chu, S.-J.; Chen, Y.-W. lsopmpylation of Naphthalene Over p Zeolite Ind. Eng. Chem. Res.
1994, 33, 3112-3117.
sugi, Y.; Kim, J.-H.; Matsuzaki, T.; Hanaoka, T.; Kubota, Y.; Tu, X.; Matsumoto, M. The
IWmpylation of Naphthalene Over Cerium-Modified H-Mordenite in "Zeolites and Related
Microporous Materials: State of the Art 1994," Stud. Sur/. Sci. Catal. 1994, 84, 1837-1844.
sub, Y.; Matsuzaki, T.; Hanaoka, T.; Kuhota, Y.; Kim, J.-H. Shape-Selective Alkylation of
Biphenyl Over Mordenites: Effects of Dealumination on Shape-Selectivity and Coke
Deposition &tal. Lett. 1994, 26, 181-187.
sugi, Y.; Toba, M. Shape-Selective Alkylation of Polynuclear Aromatics Catalysis Today
1994, 19, 187-212.
'h, X.; Matsumoto, M.; Matsuzaki, T.; Hanaoka, T.; Kubota, Y.; Kim, J.-H.; Sugi, Y. Calal.
k t t . 1993, 21, 71-75.
Moreau, P.; Finiels, A; Geneste, P.; Solofo, J. Selective lsopropylation of Naphthalene Over
Zeolites J. Calal. 1992, 487-492.
Katayama, A,; Toba, M.; Takeuchi, G.; Mizukami, F.; Niwa, S.-i.; Mitamura, S. Shape-
Selective Synthesis of 2,6-DiisopropylnaphthaleneO ver H-Mordenite Catalyst J. Chem. SOC.,
Cheni. Commun. 1991, 39-40.
Fellmann, J. D.; Saxton, J.; Wentrcek, P. R.; Derouane, E. G.; Massioni, P. Process for
Selective Diisopmpylation of Naphthyl Compounds Using Shape Selective Acidic Crystalline
Molecular Sieve Catalysts U. S. Patent No. 5,026,942,1 991.
Lee, G. S.; Maj, J. J.; Rmke, S. C.; Cards, J. M. Catal. Lett. 1989, 2, 243-248.
Hubbard, C. R.; Lederman, S. M.; Pyrros, N. P., "A Least Squares Unit Cell Refinement
Program;" National Bureau of Standards: Washington, D.C., and JCPDS-International
Centre for Diffraction Data: Swarthmore, PA, July 1983.
Mishin, I. V.; Bmner, H.; Wendlandt, K.-P. Synthesis and Properties of High-Silica Zeolites
with Mordenite Structure in "Catalysis on Zeolites," (Ka116, D.; Minachev, Kh. M., Eds.); H.
Stillman Publishers, Inc.: Boca Raton, FL, 1988, pp 231-275.
Seddon, D. The Conversion of Aromatics Over Dealuminised Mordenites Appl. Catal. 1983,
7, 327.336.
147, 231-240.
1994, 84, 1845-1851.
Table 1. Sorption Data and Residual Sodium
Content for Mordenite Catalysts
surface area, i / g pore vo~umec, m'/g
catalyst NazO,wt% total micro meso total micro meso
NaMl4' 6.24 466 457 10 0.312 0.174 0.138
~ ~ 2 1 ' 0.02 606 536 70 0.317 0.207 0.110
HM38' 0.07 512 429 82 0.293 0.167 0.126
HM14 0.19 nab'' na na na na na
HM54 0.15 no na na na na na
HM62 <0.01 504 413 91 0.250 0.163 0.087
HM70 <0.01 556 395 161 0.280 0.180 0.099
HM71 CO.01 572 497 75 0.419 0.191 0.125
HM74 <0.01 583 509 74 0.385 0.1% 0.148
HM79 0.14 na no na na no na
HM90 <0.01 540 471 69 0.313 0.188 0.125
HMB~ 0.01 no no no no no na
HMllO <0.01 539 480 59 0.362 0.184 0.138
~ ~ 1 4 00.02~ no na no na na no
HMUO <0.01 498 437 60 0.342 0.168 0.136
'Dataas reported by supplier. bNot avalble.eHM14andNaM14areassumdto
have very similar sorption properties.' Produced by dealuminaton of HM38.
921
Table 2. Isopropylation of Naphthalene Test Data for
HM14- and HM38-Derived Dealuminated Mordenites
""it cell
paramdm
q A
b.d
c.A
volume.A'
product distnbution, mol%
catalyst conv.,% MIPN DIPN TrIPN+'
HM14 76 63 , 32 3.6
HM54 43 75 22 1.2
HM62 78 61 34 3.9
HM70 82 52 40 5.6
HM71 74 59 37 2.3
HM74 47 75 23 0.6
HM79 69 65 29 3.6
HM90 36 79 19 0.9
HMllO 15 84 14 0.4
HMv0d 41 72 25 1.1
HM14 HM54 HM71 HM74 HM79 HMllO HM230
18.163*0.005 18.05Ii0.004 18.056*0.w6 18.091+0.009 17.947i0.016 18.075iO.006 18.047i0.008
20.314*0.w4 20.162i0.005 20.157+0.oW 20.217i0.009 19.866i0.012 20.233*0.006 20.197+0.009
7.490+0002 7.447i0.003 7.441i0.003 7.460a0.003 7.383a0.004 7.463*0.002 7.452in.003
2764*1 2710*1 2708i1 2730il 2632+2 2730il 2717i2
isomer distribution, mol%
2-MIPNb 2,6DIP$ 2,7-DIP$ 2,6'L7
60 33 19 1.76
68 50 24 2.11
54 29 16 1.78
58 44 20 2.17
64 51 22 2.29
71 55 25 2.24
59 39 21 1.86
70 53 24 2.21
83 61 30 2.05
74 58 25 2.32
HM38 73 60 34 4.4 58 39 19 1.99
HM93 84 48 43 6.5 62 48 22 2.21
HM140 38 77 21 0.4 73 56 25 2.20
'Tri-and tetraisopropylnaphthalcnes. Mole percent in MIPN products. E Mole percent in
DPN products.d Calcined at 700OC.
Table 4. Isopropylation of Biphenyl
Test Data for Selected Dealuminated H-Mordenites
product MIPB isomer DIPB isomer
distribution, ml% distribution. nul% distribution. ml%
catalyst conv.,% MIPB DIPB TrIPB 2- 3- 4- 3.3'- 3,4'- 4,4'- other
HM14 49 74 25 0.5 9.2 24 66 3.9 17 66 13.8
HM21 60 64 33 1.5 8.1 26 66 3.0 I5 72 10.8
HM38 71 54 42 3.0 10.2 28 62 2.7 13 72 12.2
HM71 46 62 37 1.1 3.1 24 73 1.3 I1 83 4.9
HM230 23 67 32 0.5 2.0 I8 80 0.9 10 87 2.5
101 . , , , , , ,
0 50 100 150 200 250
SiOdAlrh (molar)
Figure 1. Naphthalene conversions for HM14-derived (solid
h e ) and HM38-derived (broken line) catalysts as a
function nfSiO,/N20, ratio.
922
,f
I
I
I
f
.--
0
0 50 LOO IS0 200 2 0
SiOJAlpO, (molar)
Figure 2. Naphthalene isopropylation product distributions for
HM 14-derived (solid lines) and HM3B-derived (bra-,
ken Lines) catalysts as a function of SiOz/Al,O, ratio.
I 0 1 . , , , , , , . .
0 so 100 I50 200 210
Si%/Al& (molar)
Figure 3. Naphthalene isopmpylation isomer distributions for
HM 14-derived (solid lines) and HM38-derived (broken
lines) catalysts as a function of SiO,/AI,O, ratio.
Miaopors Volrmc = I
IO0
80 - -s
P v
60
n
9
40 .E
Le!
Ma- V o b s
0.08
IW IS0 zoo 210
SiQ/Al,O~ (molar)
Figure 4. Comparison of pore volumes (solid lines) and P-substitution
selectivities (broken lines) for dealuminated
HM14 catalysts as a function of SiOz/AI,O, ratio.
923
I , 2.4
2700 I . , . I . , . , . I 1.4
0 so 100 150 200 250
SIWAIO (molar)
Figure 5. Comparison of unit cell volumes (solid line, left axis)
with 2,6/2,7 DIPN ratios (broken line, right axis) for
dealuminated HM14 catalysts as a function of
SiO.JAl,O, ratio. Error bars represent four-times the
standard error in unit cell volumes from Table 3.
0 JO 100 1 IO 2w
SiOdAllO, (molar)
Figure 6. Isopropylation of biphenyl conversion and product
distribution as a function of SiO,/AI,O, ratio.
2-MIPB
0 so 100 I so 200
Sio2/AI2Q (molar)
Figure 7. Biphenyl isopropylation isomer distributions as a
function of SiO,/AI,O, ratio.
924
i
I i
SYNTHESIS OF POLYESTERS WITH RIGID BIPHENYL SKELETON BY
CARBONYLATION-POLYCONDENSATIOWNI TH PALLADIUM-PHOSPHINE
CATALYSTS
Y.Kubota K.Takeuchi, T.Hanaoka, and LSugi
National Institute of Materials &d Chemical Research, AIST, Tsukuba, lbaraki 305, Japan
Keywords: polyester, carbonylation-polycondensation,D BU
INTRODUCTION
Stiff macromolecules are expected, when properly processed, to produce materials with high
dFg%q of molecular orientation and order which should result in superior mechanical strength [1,2].
BI henyl derivatives are promising components for advanced materials such as heat-resistant
porymers and liquid crystallme polymers. &polyesters based on terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid,
and bisphenol A have already been used because they are heat-resistant and transparent. Wholly
aromatic polyesters containing biphenyl-4,4'-dicarboxylate moiety in place of terephthalate and
isophthalate moiety must be highly potential for beat-resistance. For this reason, we tried to
synthesize biphenyl-containing polyesters. Among several synthetic methods, carbonylationgob'condensation
method originally developed by Imai and his co-workers [3], and subsequently
y Perry and his co-workers [4] on the basis of Heck reaction [5] seemed to be the most
straightforward way to get target polyesters.
We report herein the successful synthesis of polyesters which contain rigid biphenyl skeleton
by palladium-catalyzed carbonylation-polycondensation. Especially, introduction of 9,lOdihydrophenanthrene
moieties was found to afford highly soluble polyesters in organic solvent. This
is advantageous for polyester formation by carbonylation-polycondensationin solution and for
molding resulting polyesters.
EXPERIMENTAL
4,4'-Dibromobiphenyl (DBBP) and 4,4'-diiodobiphenyl (DIBP) were obtained
from Aldrich Japan, Tokyo, Japan, and purified by recrystallization from toluene. 2,7-Dibromo-
9,lO-dihydrophenanthrene (DBDHP) and 2,7-diiodo-9,10-dihydro henanthrene (DIDHP) were
prepared from 9,lO-dihydrophenanthrene by known methods [6,7!. All other materials were
obtained commercially, and used with appropriate purifications.
The wei ht average molecular weight (Mwa)n d the
number average molecular weight (M") were determinetby means of gel permeation chromatography
on the basis of a polystyrene calibration on a Yokogawa HPLC Model LClOO System (column,
Tosoh TSK-Gel G4000HHR; eluent, chloroform or chloroform/l,l,l,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol
(HFIP) = 3/1 (v/v); detection, UV (wavelength: 254 nm)). Thermal characteristics were studied with
a Mettler FP800 Thermal Analysis System and a MAC Science TG-DTA 2000 apparatus.
In a 50 ml stainless steel
autoclave equipped with a magnetic stirrer was placed 845.1 mg (2.5 mmol) of DBDHP, 570.7 mg
(2.5 mmol) of bisphenol A, 17.7 mg (0.1 mmol) of PdCIz, 104.9 mg (0.4 mmol) of PPh3, 10 ml of
chlorobenzene, and 0.82 ml (5.5 mmol) of 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU). Carbon
monoxide was introduced at 1.1 MPa of an initial pressure and then heated with vigorous stirring
at 130 "C in an oil bath for 3 h. After excess carbon monoxide was purged, reaction mixture was
poured into 100 ml of methanol. Precipitated polymer was separated from methanol by decantation,
dissolved in 50 ml of chloroform, and then poured into 100 ml of methanol again with stirring.
Polymer was filtered, washed with 100 ml of methanol, and dried in vacuo to afford poly[oxy-1,4-
phenylene(l-methylethylidene)-1,4-phenyleneoxycarbonyl(9,lO-dihydro-2,7-phenanthrenediyl-)
carbonyl] (1) as white or pale green yellow solid. The yield was 1.09 g (95%). Mw and Mw/Mn
determined by GPC were 102,600 and 2.5, respectively. The 10 % weight loss temperature (Tio)
was 414 "C and the 5 % weight loss temperature (Ts) was 394 "C in ai[ Found: C, 79.93; H, 5.09;
Br, 1.35 %. Calcd. for (C31Ha)n: C, 80.85; H, 5.25 %. IR and 'H and 'C-NMR spectral data were
satisfactory for polyester 1.
Materials.
Molecular weight measurements.
Typical procedure for carbonylation-polycondensation.
The other polyesters were obtained by analogous procedures.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Effect of reaction parameters on the carbonylation-polycondensation
The synthesis of polyesters by the carbonylation-polycondensation is shown in Eq. 1. To
make clear factors controlling the synthesis, parameters such as temperature, CO pressure, solvent,
and base were studied for polyester 1 from DBDHP and bispbenol A.
Figure 1 summarizes the effect of temperature on the molecular weight of 1 by the use of
pph:, as a ligand and DBU as a base. The carbonyldtion-pol~condensatiown as dependent on
temperdturc, and the molecular weight was the highest at 120-130 C. Low molecular weight is due
to low reaction rate at low temperatures, and to side reactions at high temperatures.
Effects of solvent on the molecular weight of 1 by the use of 1,3-bis(diphenylpbosphino)
propane (dppp) as a ligand and DBU as a base are shown in Table 2. Although the alcoholysis of
acyl-palladium jntermediate is expected to be favorable in polar solvent, the solubilit of product
is more important factor than the polarity of solvent in our case. Polyester 1 was founito be easily
dissolved in chlorobenzene, nitrobenzene, dichloromethane, and chloroform. Among them, only
chlorobenzene mediated effectively the carbonylation-polycondensation. The efficiency of
may be due to good solubility of polyesters in it. Table 2 summarizes the effect of
base on the molecular weight of 1. The highest molecular weight was obtained for DBU. DBU was
under wide variety of conditions because it is a strong base (px, = 11.5 ). Because the salt
from DBU and HBr liberated by the carbonylation was highly soluble in organic solvents, it is
easier to remove HBr than the salt of other bases such as EtsN and i-Pr2NEt. Under optimum
925
co
Base
+ HO-R-OH PdCIZ- Phosphlnz
DBDHP
condition, 1 was obtained in 95% yield with high molecular weight (Mw =l.0x105) as described
in experimental part.
Catalytic activity of palladium-phosphine complex on the carbonylation-polycondensation is
important for the molecular weight of polyesters. The effect of phosphine on the molecular weight
of 1 is summarized in Table 3. The use of four moles of PPh per mole of palladium was necessary
to prevent catalyst decomposition, probably by a cluster formation [8]. However, large excess of
PPh3 (PPhpd = 10) inhibited polymer formation because ex= ligands coordinated to metal center
reduce the coordination of substrate and carbon monoxide. This is a different feature from the case
of the ethoxycarbonylation of DBBP, where catalytic activity kept high even at high PPh3lPd ratio
[9]. Bidentate phosphine such as dppp has been described to be more effective ligand for the
carbonylation than monodentate hosphine such as PPh3 [9-121. In our previous work 91, high
catalytic activities were observecf for hidentate phosphines, a, &bis(diphenyIphosphinojalkanes
( P ~ ~ P ( C H Z ) ~(Pn=P2~-5Z) ), cspecially for dppp (n=3) and dppb (n=4) in palladium catalyzed
ethoxycarbonylation of DBBP and DBDHP. The catalysts with these li ands have been much more
active than those with PPhs. The effectiveness of bidentate ligan$ is due to the formation of
chelated complex with palladium, such as six-membered chelate ring for dppp. In the carbonylationpolycondensation,
dppp gave the highest molecular wcight of 1 among them. Two fold excess of
dppp for palladium was also required for the carbonylation and for high molecular weight, however,
large excess of dppp prevented them. Figure 2 shows the effect of CO pressure on the molecular
weight of 1 for PPhs and dppp. The molecular weight was the highest under CO pressure around
1 MPa, and then gradually decreased with further incrcase of CO pressure. Both PPh3 and dppp
were effective ligands in the carbonylation-polycondensation, especially under relatively low
pressure of 0.6-1.5 MPa. However, PPh3 was more excellent than dppp for the formation of high
molecular weight polyester 1 under these conditions. The effect of CO pressure on the molecular
weight of 1 for DIDHP was different from the case for DBDHP as shown in Fig. 2. The molecular
weight of 1 for DIDHP was low under every pressure.
The structure of dihalide and bisphenol affected the carbonylation-polycondensation. Table
4 shows the effect of dihalide on the molecular weight of 1 by the use of dppp and DBU. Polyester
1 from DBDHP or DIDHP has hi er solubility than poly[l,4-phenylene(l-meth I ethy1idene)-1,4-
phenylenecarbonyl(4,4'-bipheny~ne)carbonyl] (8) from DBBP or DIBP anB accompanied the
enhancement of its molecular weight. Such an increase of solubility is owing to the effect of
bulkiess of 9,lOdihydrophenanthrene moiety. The molecular weight of 1 from DBDHP was higher
than that from DIDHP. The difference between bromide and iodide should be explained by the
difference of rate determining steps in successive reactions. Significant increase of the molecular
weight of 8 was observed by the use of DIBP instead of DBBP. This was due to the enhanced
reactivity of DIBP, which was compensated for negative factor of insolubility. When pdibrornobenzene
was used as a dihalide, polyester 9 was obtained with low molecular weight due
to the low solubility of the resulting polyester. Table 5 summarizes the effect of bisphenol on the
molecular weight of polyesters. Bisphenols having sufficiently bulky alkyl spacers resulted
moderately high molecular wcight. Especially, bisphenol A gave the best results among them.
Bisphenols with phenyl groups gave relatively poor results. Polyester 6 from bis(4-h
ydroxypheny1)sulfone had low molecular weight. Polyester 7 from 4,4'-thiobisphenol was insoluble
In the solvent. These low molecular weight is due to their low solubility.
Mechanistic aspects of the carbonylation-polycondensation
According to previous paper by Moser and his co-workers [8 active species for the
carbonylation of aromatic halide is expected to be Pd(0)Ln complex (L: pkosphine moiety; n: 1-4),
which is formed in situ from Pd@I)CIz and phosphine or from Pd(II)LzC12 complex with phosphine.
Oxidative addition of aryl halide to Pd(0)Lo species, followed by CO insertion, and base mediated
the alcoholysis to yield ester with regeneration of Pd(0)Ln. This mechanism is plausible and
applicable to the carbonylation-polycondensation.
We found several characteristic features in our carbonylation-polycondensation. The
molecular weight of 1 depended on the type of base. Strong organic bases such as DBU, TMEDA,
and DABCO preferred to typical amines such as Et3N and i-PnNEt. These results suggest the
alcoholysis step is a key step for the increase of molecular weight. Similar effects of basc wcre
obsewed in the carbonylation of 4-bromobiphenyl [12]. The molecular weight of 1 for DIDHP was
inferior to that for DBDHP. The effects of CO pressure on the molecular weight of 1 for DIDHP
were quite different from the case for DBDHP. These results mean that the oxidative addition of
halide to Pd(0)Ln is not so important for the increase of the molecular weight of resulting
polyesters.
Figure 3 shows time dependence curves on CO consumption hy the use of d pp aid PPh3,
respectively, under atmospheric pressure. The periods, for which half amount of carion monoxide
was consumed for the reaction, were 16 min and 32 min in the case of dppp and of PPh3,
926
'
I
respectively. This means that catalytic activity for d pp is apparently higher than that for PPh3.
Figure 4 shows h e de pendence on the Mwb y use of $pp and PPh, respectively, under the same
condition as in Fig. 3. Initial rate of the increase of Mw for dppp is obviously larger than that for
PPh3, whereas final Mw for PPhs is higher than that for dppp. These results mean that catalytic
activity is not parallel to final molecular weight of resulting polyesters, and that some inhibiting
reactions n q occur during the growth of the polyester in the case of dppp. We should note the side
reactions because the rate of polyester formatlon should not affect the final molecular weight of
polyester. To know whether side reactions take place or not, the phenoxycarbonylation of DBBP
using the catalyst with dppp or PPh3 was examined. Diphenyl biphenyl-4,4'-dicarboxylate was
observed as a sole product from DBBP in high yield in both cases. Only a detectable product except
the esters h.om DBBP was phenyl benzoate judging from GC analysis. This product should form
via the carbonylation of chlorobenzene used as a reaction solvent. Amount of phenyl benzoate was
0.115 mmol with dppp and 0.044 mmol with PPh3, respectively, from phenol (6.0 mmol) and
chlorobenzene (10 ml) in the presence of DBBP (2.5 mmol). The amount of phenyl benzoate
arising during the &onylation-polycondensation with dppp was about three times larger than that
with PPhs. It is evident that the benzoyl complex as an intermediate of the carbonylation of
chlorobenzene can act as a terminator of the carbonylation-polycondensation. This is a possible
reason why the molecular weight of 1 with dppp is lower than that with PPhs in spite of higher
catalytic activity of palladium-dppp complex. These results show that in order to obtain the
polyesters with high molecular weight, the selectivity of the catalyst for the carbonylation is more
important factor than catalytic activity.
Thermal properties of polyesters
Wholly aromatic polyesters 1- 9 did not have melting point and glass transition temperature
up to 400 "C. The 10 %weight loss temperature (no) values of them were above 380 "C in air. On
the basis of TG profiles, polyesters 1 and 8 were more stable than 9 at 300-390 "C, although they
lost their weights faster than 9 above 400 "C. Polyesters 1 and 5 were soluble in chloroform and
dichloromethane. Soluble polyesters with MW larger than 10,000 easily formed transparent casting
films.
REFERENCES
1
2
3
J . 4 . Jin, S. Antoun, C. Ober, and R. W. Lmz, Brit. Polym. J., 12 (1990) 132.
M. Ballauff, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl., 28 (1989) 253.
M. Yoneyama, M. Kakimoto, and Y. Imai, Macromolecules, 21 (1988) 1908; 22 (1989)
2593.4152. I
4 R.J. PeiyyS.R. Turner, R.W. Blevins, Macromolecules, 26 (1993) 1509.
5 R.F. Heck, Adv. Catal., 26 (1977) 323.
6 D.E. Pearson, US. Patent, 3988369 (1976).
7 Von H.O. Wirth, K.H. Gonner, and W. Kern, Makrornol. Chem., 63 (1963) 53.
Gakkaishi, 37 (1994) 70.
8) W.R. Moser, A.W. Wang, N.K. Kildahl, I. Am. Chem. Soc., 110 (1988) 2816.
9) Y. Sugi, K. Takeuchi, T. Hanaoka, T. Matsuzaki, S. Takagi, and Y. Doi, Sekiyu
10 Y. Ben-David, M. Portnoy, D. Milstein, J. Am. Chem. SOC., 111 (1989) 8742.
11 R.E. Dolle, S.J. Schmidt, L.1. Kruse, J. Chem. SOC., Chem. Commun., (1987) 904.
12 I Y.Kubota, T.Hanaoka, K.Takeuchi, and Y. Sugi, Synlett., (1994) 515.
i
Table 1. Effects of solvent on the synthesis of 1')
Yield Mw
Run Solvent (%) (x103) (M~IM")
1 Chlorobenzene 99
2 Anisole 99
3 Flurobenzene 98
4 Benezene 94
5 Nitrobenzene 0
a) Reaction conditions: DBDHP 2.5 mmol, bisphenol A 2.5 mmol, PdClz 0.1 mmol, dp p 0 2
mmol, DBU 5.5mmol, solvent 10 ml, CO pressure 2.1 MPa, temperture 12OoC, periocf3 h.'
Table 2. Effects of base on the synthesis of 1')
Yield Mw
Run Base (%) (x103) ( ~ ~ l ~ n )
92
16
8 DABCO") 96b) 12
9 EON 92b)
6 DBU 95 b'
7 TMEDA~) 99
10 'i-P&t 22
a) Reaction conditions: DBDHP 2.5 mmol, bisphenol A 2.5 mmol, PdCh 0.1 mmol, PPh3 0.4
mol. DBU 5.5 mmol, chlorobenzene 10 ml. CO Dresswe 2.1 MPa. temoerture 120T neriod .. ., -1 r - - - - -
3 h. b) dppp 0.2 mmol,
&XN;N'-tetramethylethylene diamine. e) 1,4-Diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane.
was used as a ligan'd. c) Palladium preci$tate was-observed. d)
I 927
Table 3. Effects of catalyst on the synthesis of la)
Yield Mw
Run Catalyst (%) (x103) (M~IM.)
11 PdC12nPPh3 39
12 PdCld4PPe 92
13 Pd(PPh3)4 96 19
14 PdC12ndppeC) 94
15 PdClddpppd) 97
16 PdCld2dppp 99
17 PdCWdppg) 39
16 PdClfldppb 95
19 PdClSdpppe‘) 91
a) Reaction conditions: DBDHP 2.5 mmol, bisphenol A 2.5 mmol, PdClz 0.1 mmol, phosphine
0.1-0.5 mmol, DBU 5.5 mmol, chlorobenzene 10 ml, CO pressure 2.1 MPa, temperture 120
“C, period 3 h. b) Pd(PPh3)4,0.1 m o l . c) 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane. d) 1,3-bis(diphcnylphosphino)
propme. e) 1,4-bis(diphenylphosphino)hutane. f ) 1,5-bis(di-phenylphosphino)hexane.
Table 4. Polyesters of dihalides with bisphenol A’)
Yield MW
Run Dihalobiphenyl Polyester (%) (x103) (MW/Mn)
99 35
98 24 20 DBDHP 1 {%
21 DIDHP 1
22 DBBP 8 94 5.6 (6.3j
2.6 [;:;{ 23 DIBP 8
24 p-Dibromobenzene 9 96
94 12
a) Reaction conditions: dihalide 2.5 mmol, bisphenol A 2.5 mmol, PdCIz 0.1 mmol, dppp 0.2
mmol, DBU 5.5 m o l , chlorobenzene 10 ml, CO pressure 2.1 MPa, temperture 120 “C, period
3 h.
Table 5. Polyesters of bisphenols with DBDHPa)
Yield Mw
Run Bisphenol Polyester (%) (x103) (MwIMn) Remarks
26 Bisphenol A 1 99 35
27 4,4’-Cyclohexylidencbisphe I 2 93 20
26 4,4’-(~-Butylidene)bispheno;8j 3 97 13
29 4,4’-Ethylidenebisphenol 4 96 12
30 4,4’-(l-Phenylethylidene)bis henol 5 99 25
31 4,4’-SulfonylbisphenoP 6
32 4,4’-Tiobisphenol I 99 insoluble tt
a) Reaction conditions: DBHDP 2.5 mmol, bisphenol 2.5 mmol, PdCh 0.1 mmol, dppp 0.4
mol, DBU 5.5 mmol, chlorobenezene 10 ml, CO pressure 2.1 MPa, temperture 120 “C, period
3-5 h. b) CO pressure 1.1 MPa. c) Ourtlook of reation mixture just after the reaction. -:
homogensous. t: slightly suspended. tt: suspended.
12
l!5-
3
0
X
F
v
4
0
90 110 130 150
Reaction temperature (“C)
Fig. 1. Effect of reaction temperature on the molecular weight of 1. Reaction conditions: DBDHP
2.5 m o l , bisphenol A 2.5 mmol, PdClz 0.1 mmol, PPh3 0.2mmo1, DBU 5.5 mmol, chlorohenzene
10 ml, CO pressure 1 .I MPa. period 3 h.
928
i
10
DBDHP-PPh3
0 DBDHP-dppp
DIDHP-PPh3
2 -
' 0
0 1 2 3
CO pressure (MPa)
Fig. 2. Effect of CO pressure on the molecular weight of 1. Reaction conditions: dihalide 2.5
m o l , bisphenol A 2.5 mmol, PdCIz 0.1 mmol, PPh3 02mmol or dppp 0.1 mmol, DBU 5.5 mmol,
chlorobenzene 10 ml, temperature 120 "C, period 3 h.
0 30 60 90 120
Reaction period (min)
Fig. 3. CO consumption during the carbonylation-polycondensation.R eaction conditions: DBDHP
2.5 mmol, bisphenol A 2.5 mmol, PdCIz 0.1 mmol, PPh3 0.4 mmol or dppp 0.2 mmol, DBU 5.5
mmol, chlorobenzene 10 ml, CO pressure 0.1 MPa.
10 1
a 0
X
-c 3
PPh3 - 1
n - 0
dPPP
0 5 10 15 20 25
Reaction period (h)
Fig. 4. Time dependence of the molecular weight on the s nthesis of 1 Reaction conditions:
DBDHP 2.5 mmol, bisphenol A 2.5 mmol, PdClz 0.1 mmoi: PPh3 0.4 mmol or dppp 0.2 mmol,
DBU 5.5 mmol, chlorobenzene 10 ml, CO pressure O.1MPa.
929
SHAPESELECTIVE HYDROGENATION OF NAPHTHALENE
OVER ZEOLITESUPPORTED Pt AND Pd CATALYSTS
Andrew D. S c u G rainne Bowers and Chunshan Song
Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Fuel Science Program, 209 Academic Projects Building
Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802
Keywords: hydrogenation, bifunctional catalysts, shape-selectivity
Per-hydrogenation of naphthalene produces both cis-decalin (c-DeHN) and trans-decalin (t-
DeHN). Huang and Kang reported the rate data shown in Scheme 1 for this reaction catalyzed
by Pt/AI,O,.' Isomerization of c-DeHN was treated as irreversible, and it was assumed that
dehydrogenation of DeHN could be neglected. We have found it possible to achieve high selectivity
1 I Scheme 1. Naphthalene hydrogenation pathways over Pt/AI,O, from ref.
1. Rate constants are for reaction at 200 "C in units h-'.
for one DeHN isomer by appropriate catalyst selection. For example, PtlHY gives 100% naphthalene
conversion to decalins with 80% selectivity for c-DeHN. There numerous potential
industrial applications for c-DeHN; such as, the production of sebacic acid which can be used in
the manufacture of Nylon 6,10 and softeners. Conversely, catalysts that promote the thermody-
~mi c a l l yfa vored c-DeHN to t-DeHN isomerization can be made to give nearly 95% t-DeHN. This
reaction can he used in fuel upgrading applications, to increase the thermal stability of the fuel.
Considerable effort has been invested in this laboratory to develop jet fuels with improved
thermal stability, particularly for high-performance jet aircraft (see ref. 2, for example). In this
application, the fuel is also used as the primary heat sink for cooling. As the fuel temperature is
raised, fuel degradation leads to the formation of solid particulates in the fuel.' Over time, the
particulates agglomerate and are deposited, plugging filters, fuel lines and fuel injectors. A jet
fuel's overall carbon-forming propensity can be reduced by limiting its aromatic content as in the
oomplete hydrogenation of naphthalene. In thermal stressing of jet fuels, Song et al. have shown
that cyclic alkanes have higher thermal stability than normal alkanes.'-3 Cycloalkane conformation
also effects high temperature stability, and it has been shown that t-DeHN is more stable
than c-D~HN.'.~T ests on the thermal stressing of petroleum-derived fuels and model compounds
have shown that addition of t-DeHN can significantly retard the rate of carbon dep~sition.~
Two types of zeolites were used in this work: H-mordenite (HW and HY. Mordenite has a
two-dimensional channel structure with elliptically shaped channels of diameter 6.7 x 7.0 A. Since
naphthalene's critical diameter is very close to the HM channel dimension, transition state
selectivity is induced on reactions of naphthalene occurring in the channels. Relative diffusion
rates of the products can also effect selectivity. HY has large cavities in its interior and narrow
channel openings. A reactant that has entered the channel structure may reorient itself and react
at catalyst sites on the walls of the cavities. However, because of restricted difision at the
channel openings, only molecules ofappmpriate diameter will be produced at an appreciable rate.
The final t-DeHhVc-DeHN (t/c) ratio in the product is governed by several factors related to
the bifunctionality of the catalysts. While the initial tlc ratio may be governed by several factors,
zeolite acid character significantly influences c-DeHN isomerization. It has been found that
catalysts based on dealuminated HM give the highest t-DeHN selectivity. Choice of the noble
metal, Pt or Pd, is also important. In a w r d with previously reported data for naphthalene
hydrogenation using noble metal catalysts on non-zeolite ~ u p p o r t so,u~r data show that Pdlzeolitc
has higher initial selectivity for t-DeHN, and also isomerize c-DeHN at higher rates than
platinum on the same zeolite. Metzl particle sizes determined from X-ray powder diffraction
(XRD) linewidths show large variations on the different zeolites,
Cotolyst Prepmotion. The zeolites were supplied in NH4-form and used as received. Table
1 lists their properties. Two portions of each zeolite were loaded with metal, one with Pt, the
other Pd, to generate a total of eight catalysts. Incipient wetness impregnation of either aqueous
H,PtCI,+H,O (Aldrich 99.995% Pt, metal basis) or PdCI, (Aldrich, 99.999% Pd, metal basis)
dissolved in dilute hydrochloric acid (sufficient to form soluble PdCI,'.) was used to achieve a
nominal metal conoentralion of6 wt%. Following drying in vacuo, the catalysts were calcined in
930
air at 460 "C for 2 h. Noble metal reduction occurs during the catalyst test, in the hydrogen
Pressurized reactors.
Catalyst Evaluation. A 30 mL, stainless steel tubingbomb batch reactor was used for
catalyst tests. A tee-shaped design was used where most of the reactor internal volume is in the
horizontal member that contains the catalyst and reactants. The horizontal member is connected
by a 10" length of 114" 0.d. tubing to a pressure gauge and valve. The reactor was charged with
0.4 g catalyst, 1.0 g (7.8 mmol) naphthalene (Aldrich, 99%), 4.0 g n-tridecane reaction solvent, and
0.35 g n-nonane internal standard. The charged reactor was flushed with H, then sealed and
leak-tested with H,. Finally, the hydrogen pressure was adjusted to 1500 psig cold ( ca. 0.2 g) to
Start the test, Naphthalene begins to react immediately, even at room temperature, so a
consistent procedure was established to minimize the time between reactor pressurization and
the start of the run.
The reactor was affixed to a holder and placed in a fluidized sand-bath heater so that
approximately two-thirds of the total length was immersed. Vertical agitation at 240 cyclehin
was used to provide mixing. The reactions were done at 200 "C for 6-60 min. At the end of each
test, the reaction was quenched in cold water. After cooling, the gas headspace was collected for
analysis and the reactor was opened, Acetone was used to wash the reactor contents onto a filter
and the filtrate was analyzed by GC/GC-MS (30m x 0.25mm DB-17 column, J&W Scientific),
while the solid was dried for XRD examination.
X-ray powder diffraction analyses (XRD) were done on a Scintag 3100 diffractometer using
Cu Ka radiation and a scan rate of 1" 20 /min with 0.02" steps. Diffraction line widths were
measured using a profile-fitting program which assumes a peak shape intermediate between
Gaussian and Cauchy. Manual measurements were always used to check the calculated results,
especially for very diffise lines where the computer routine fails. Mean metal crystallite size was
calculated by application of the Scherrer equation (wavelength 1.54056 A, Scherrer constant
0.89).6SiIicon powder (-325 mesh) was used as an external standard for measuring instrumental
and spectral broadening. Ka,-doublet broadening corrections, and pure line profile determination
for low-angle reflections were done as described elsewhere.6 For most of the catalysts, only the
Pt or Pd (111) diffraction line was suitable for profile analysis. The lower intensity lines of the
metals were interfered with by zeolite patterns.
Results and Discussion
XRD Observations. XRD for the Pt and Pd catalysts removed from the reactors following
the 60 min runs are shown in Figures 1-2. In each case, only diffraction lines corresponding to the
zem-valency state of the metals are observed. Several catalysts from the 30 min runs were also
examined, and only metallic phase is observed. Therefore, in situ hydrogen treatment is adequate
for complete metal reduction. Differences between the samples are striking, especially for the Pt
catalysts. WHY shows very sharp and intense metal diffraction lines (large Pt particles), but
F'tfHM38 and Pt/HM17 show very broad, diffuse lines indicative of small Pt particles. PtlM21 is
intermediate. Closer examination of PtlHM38 shows that the Pt-phase is bidisperse. A sharp line
appears superimposed over a very broad band, both arising from reduced platinum. Pd catalysts
(Figure 1) all show significant line-broadening. The trend in line width increase on going from
metaUHY to m e t a m 1 7 is also observed for Pd, but is less pronounced. Average metal particle
sizes for the Pt and Pd catalysts are compared in Table 2 and Table 3, respectively,
Acnvacy of the XRD particle size technique is generally accepted to be i 10.20%. When XRD
lines become very broad and diffuse, accurate line-width measurements are difficult, however,
This was more of a problem for Pd which has a lower scattering power (z = 46) than Pt (z = 78).
Baseline zeolite signals from HM38 and HM17 cloud the Pd (11 1) reflection enough that accurate
measurements are not possible. Conservatively narrow best-guesses at the line widths were used
to determine the values cited in the tables.
Effects of Catalyst Composition. Test data for 60 min runs at 200 "C for the eight Pt- and
Pd-loaded zeolite catalysts are compared in Table 2 and Table 3, respectively. The products of
Nap hydrogenation are almost exclusively isomeric DeHNs. In some cases, a small amount of
tetrahydmnaphthalene CTeHN) is observed. Gas headspace analyses show 5-50 ppm levels of C,.
C, hydrocarbons. Every catalyst gives ca. 100% Nap conversion in 1 h, so it is not possible to rank
catalyst activity based on these data. Yet, the translcis DeHN ratio is highly dependent on both
the zeolite and the metal. Palladium gives higher t-DeHN selectivity than platinum on the same
zeolite. Catalysts based on HM38 gave the highest t-DeHN selectivity. There is a definite upward
trend in t/c ratio wlth HM S10dAl2O3 ratio. PtfHY shows amazingly high selectivity for c-DeHN.
Comparing catalyst with the same metal, there does not seem to be any correlation between
metal crystallite size and DeHN isomer selectivity. Neither naphthalene hydrogenation nor c-
DeHN isomerization involve C-C 0-bond breaking. Consequently, the overall reaction should be
structure insensitive and independent of metal particle size.
Effecfs ofRun Duration. In order to determine the practical equilibrium tfc ratio, four tests
were done with P M 2 I at extended reaction times (Table 4). An approximately constant t/c of
13.6 is obtained within 6 h reaction time. This value is somewhat lower than the calculated
equilibrium constant for c-DeHN to t-DeHN isomerization of 20.5 at 200 "C6 However, ca. 14 is
the practical limit as conCmed using other Wzeolite and Pdheolite catalyst^.^ Some decalin may
reside in the portion of the reactor that extends above the sand level in the fluidized sand bath,
the cold zone. and may not react. According to calculations, if even 5% of the decalin doesn't react
to form an equilibrium amount oft-DeHN, the equilibrium constant value falls to 13.0.6
. .
.
931
I t was already known that complete naphthalene conversion to a mixture of decalins occurred
within the first hour of each test. We wanted to find out if the initial product distribution was
signiiicantly different than what we had observed in 60 min runs. Additional runs were done with
m 3 8 , Pd/HM38, PtHY and Pd/HY at 15 and 30 min. The metal/HY catalysts were also tested
at 6 min. It should be noted that 6 min is the approximate time required for the interior of the
reactor to equilibrate to the reaction (sand bath) temperature. Greater than 99% naphthalene
conversion occurred within the shortest run period for each test. Decalins were the only
hydrogenation products with the exception of the 6 min run with Pt/HY, where 48% TeHN was
also observed. However, less than 3 % TeHN was observed in the longer runs with PtlHY. Plots
of log(c-DeHN) vs time are linear (Figure 3) showing that the isomerization of c-DeHN is firstorder.
Considering Scheme 1, when all of the TeHN has been consumed, the rate expression for
disappearance of c-DeHN simplifies to a simple first-order expression in c-DeHN concentration.
This simplification does not hold when the TeHN concentration is non-zero, so the 6 min data
point for PdHY is not included in the determination of k,. Values determined for the rate
constant in this work are compared with literature values in Table 5. It can be seen that not only
does Pd have a higher initial selectivity for t-DeHN, but it also isomerizes t-DeHN faster than
Pt. The values of k, determined in this work are considerably higher than those reported by
Huang and Kang,' and h i and Song for direct isomeriaation of c-DeHN.' Huang and Kang did
not report the mass ofcatalyst used, so it is not possible to compare values on a per-gram catalyst
basis. h i and Song used the same PtIHM38 catalyst that was used here. We are still not certain
what causes the discrepancy between these data and the results of hi and Son Other detailed
kinetic studies on hydrogenation of aromatics have recently been
The PtlHY catalyst is highly selective for c-DeHN and does not promote the isomerization.
We are unable to explain this result at present but suspect that it may be due, in some way, to
the large Pt particle size (1700 A). It is possible that a unique type of shape-selectivity may arise
from partial blockage of the channel openings by the large metal particles. Further understanding
may be gained by electron microscopy and H, chemisorption to determine metal dispersions.
It has been established that the naphthalene hydrogenation process can be tailored to produce
either c-DeHN or t-DeHN by appropriate choice of the zeolite and metal species. Selectivity
for t-DeHN increases with SiO.$U,O, ratio in the HM catalysts, so that catalysts bascd on HM38
gave the highest t-DeHN selectivity. Compared to Pt on a given zeolite, Pd shows a higher initial
selectivity for t.DeHN, and a higher rate for c-DeHN to t-DeHN isomerization. The practical equilibrium
dc ratio is 14 at 200 "C. Metal crystallite sizes are highly dependent on the zeolite. Pd
generally had a higher dispersion than did platinum on a given zeolite. Naphthalene hydrogenation
and c-DeHN isomerization are structure insensitive reactions. Therefore, DeHN isomer
selectivity does not show a correlation with particle size. Uniquely high selectivity for c-DeHN
has been obtain with P W . It has been proposed that partial channel blockage by the large
metal particles of this catalysts give rise to a unique type of shape.selectivity.
We wish to thank the following persons at the Pennsylvania State University: Prof. Harold
Schobert for his encouragement and support, and W.-C. h i for his thoughtful comments on this
work. This work was jointly supported by the US. Dept. of Energy, Pittsburgh Energy Technology
Center, and the Air Force Wright Propulsion Laboratory. We would also like to thank Mr. W. E.
Harrison 111 of USAF and Dr. S. Rogers of DOE for their support.
1. Huang, T.-C.; Kang, B.-C. Kinetic Study of Naphthalene Hydrogenation Over Pt/AI,O,
Catalyst Ind. Eng. Chern. Res. 1995, 34, 1140-1148. The authors neglected to divide the
slopes from activation energy plots by the gas constant (1.987 caUmol'Q for reporting
activation energies. The data cited in Scheme 1 are the correct values.
2. Song, C.; Eser, S.; Schobert, H. H.; Hatcher, P. G. Pyrolytic Degradation Studies of a Coal-
Derived and a Petroleum-Derived Aviation Fuel Energy & Fuels, 1993, 7, 234-243.
3. Song, C.; h i , W:C.; Schobert, H. H. Hydrogen-Transferring Pyrolysis of Cyclic and Straight-
Chain Hydrocarbons. Enhancing High Temperature Thermal Stability of Aviation Jet Fucls
by H-Donors Am. Chern. SOCD.i u. Fuel Chern. Prepr. 1992, 37, 1655.
Weitkamp. A. W. Stcreocheinistry and Mechanism of Hydrogenation of Naphthalenes on
Transition Metal Catalysts and Conformational Analysis of the Products Adu. Calol. 1968,
Klug, H. P.; Alexander, L. E., "X-ray Diffraction Procedures for Polyc~s tal l inean d Amorphous
Materials;" Wiley: New York, 1974. See example calculations on p 699.
Lai, W.-C.; Song, C. Zeolite Catalyzed Conformational Isomerization of cis-Decahydronaphthalene.
Reaction Pathways and Kinetics Am. Chern. SOC. Diu. Fuel Chem. Prepr. 1995,
40, in press.
Schmitz, A. D.; Song, C. unpublished results.
Kom, S. C.: Klein M. T.;Q uann, R 2. Poiynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons Hydrogenation.
1. Experimental Reaction Pathways and Kinetics Ind. Eng. Chm. Res, 1995, 34, 101.117.
4.
18, 1-110.
6.
6.
7.
8.
932
I
9. Stanislaus, A,; Cooper, B. H. Aromatic Hydrogenation Catalysis: A Review Catal. Reu.-Sci.
Eng. 1994, 36, 75-123.
Table 1. Properties of the Zeolite Starting Materials
SiO,/Al20,, NapO, surface area,
zeolite id. zeolite type supplier molar wt % m2/g
HY zeolite Y Linde
LZ-Y62 5.0 2.5 948
17.0 0.05 480 ,
Linde
HM17 mordenite LZ-M-8
HM21 mordenite PQC CBoVw 2.0,A In c. 21,1 0.02 606
HM38 mordenite pQC cBOVr p30'' AIn' 37.5 0.07 512
Table 2.Naphthalene Hydrogenation Data for
Platinum Catalysts in 60 min Runs at 200 "C
Product Distribution (mole %)
trans. cis- total trandcis average metal
catalyst conv., % TeHN DeHN DeHN DeHN DeHN particlesize,A
PtlHM17 100 0.0 37 63 100 0.58 120
PUHM21 100 0.0 45 55 100 0.83 590
PUHM38 100 0.0 70 30 100 2.34 50 (750)'
PUHY 100 2.6 15 82 97 0.18 1700
a Bidisperse metal. Particle sizes for the broad (and sharp) components of the Pt (1 11) are
indicated.
Table 3. Naphthalene Hydrogenation Data for
Palladium Catalysts in 60 min Runs at 200 'C
Product Distribution (mole %)
trans- cis- total trandcis average metal
catalyst conv., % TeHN DeHN DeHN DeHN DeHN particle size, .k
PdIHM2I 100 0.0 75 25 100 3.00 310
Pd/HM38 100 0.0 82 18 100 4.42 < 60"
PdmY loo 0.0 73 27 100 2.69 310
Pd/HM17 100 0.0 65 35 100 1.84 < 60"
a Diffuse diffraction line makes accurate width measurement difficult. Metal particles are
no larger than the indicated size.
Table 4. Equilibrium DeHN Isomer Distribution
from Naphthalene Hydrogenation Over PdlHM21 Catalyst at 200 "C
Product Distribution (mole %)
trans- cis- total translcis
time(h) cow,% TeHN DeHN DeHN DeHN DeHN
1 100 0.0 76.5 23.5 100 3.26
6 100 0.0 93.1 6.92 100 13.46
10 100 0.0 93.2 6.78 100 13.74
24 100 0.0 93.2 6.85 100 13.69
933
Table 5. Comparison of c-DeHN Isomerization
Rate Constants from This Work and the Literature
PtlHM38 Pd/HM38 WHY Pd/HY PtMM38' Pt/Al,O,b
k , h-' 0.78 0.84 0 0.35 0.30 0.11
k4, 15.2 16.4 0 6.9 ' 10.9 - mmol/gcat'h
'Isomerization of c-DeHN from ref. 6. bNaphthalene hydrogenation from ref. 1.
PdlHhll7
Pd/HM38
Pd/HMZl
PdlHY
n - "
2s
Figure 1. XRD patterns for palladium catalysts in the region of
the Pd (111) and (200) lines.
Figure 2. XRD patterns for platinum catalysts in the region of
the Pt (111) and (200) lines.
WIG438
-1.4 - P O N
- 1 8 . . . , . , . , , , , PdRmDK
5 15 25 35 45 5s 65
Time (Tin)
Figure 3. First-order rate constant plots for c-DeHN to t-
DeHN isomerization at 200 "C.
934
CATALYTIC HYDROGENATION OF POLYAROMATIC COMPOUNDS USING
COKE-OVEN GAS INSTEAD OF PURE HYDROGEN.
C.E.Braekman-Danheux, A.H.Fontana. Ph.M.Laurent and Phhlivier
Service de Chimie Gknkrale et Carbochimie, Facultd des Sciences Appliqukes, Universitk Libre de
Bruxelles, CP 165, Av. ED. Roosevelt, 8-1050. Bruxelles, Belgium.
Keywords: catalytic hydrogenation, pol yaromatic, coke-oven gas.
ABSTRACT
In order to improve the economy of the conversion process of polyaromatic molecules to their
hydroclromatics analogs, camlytic hydrogenation of phenanthrene has been canid out under
pressure of different simulated coke-oven gases instead of pure hydrogen. The influence Of reaction
time, temperature and pressure on the hydrogenation yields and on the nature of the obtained
products has been studied. Comparisons have been made with reaction with pure hydrogen in the
same conditions. The influence of the different components of a real coke-oven gas has also been
pointed out. The results indicate that coke-oven gas wn be used if the goal is not to obtain
perhydroaromatics compounds for a thermal cracking, but to give partly hydrogenated compounds
to be used as hydrogen donor solvent in a coal liquefaction process. The results have been applied
to coal-tar highly aromatic fractions.
INTRODUCTION
Coal derived heavy oils conlain principally polyaromatics hydrocarbons (P.A.H.). Previously
published studies1,2 showed that these molecules must be hydrogenated to their perhydrogenated
analogs in order to obtain high yields of light aromatics (B.T.X.) and ethylene by thermal cracking.
Moreover, these perhydrogenated molecules could provide one of the best solution to the
requirement of modern jet plane fuels 3-5. If the hydrogenation is not complete, the partly
hydrogenated oils could also be used as hydrogen donor solvent in a coal liquefaction process.
An important economic factor in hydrogenation processes is the hydrogen cost To reduce this cost
will be beneficial. In this perspective, Doughty and aL6.' studied the hydrocracking of coal derived
liquids using bimetallic catalyst and a gas mixtureof 93% I-12 I 10% CO instead or pure hydrogen.
They showed that the conversion to low boiling point materials was lower in presence of 10% CO,
probably because the CO molecules occupy the H2 sites at the catalyst surface. Fu and aL8
performed the hydrogenation of model compounds in presence of petroleum solvent using syngas
(H2 : CO = 1: 1). The experiments were carried out in a microreactor during 45 minutes. The results
showed that the hydrogenation of anthracene at 350°C under H2 pressure gave 90% conversion.
The reaction with syngas at the same temperature gave only 65.9% anthmcene conversion. The
most important product was dihydroanthncene.
The use of WCO mixtures may introduce other competing reactions which lead -to undesirable
products. For example, if the experimental conditions are similar to those used in the methanation
reaction, hydrogen and carbon monoxyde will be consumed, producing unwanted methane and
water. Even with low levels of CO, catalyst poisoning may be increased. The loss in &pic
activity would lead to reduced conversions, which have to be compared to the gain in cast due to
the use of a coke-oven gas. Moreover, industrial gases used directly may contain HzS which could
poison the catalyst.
The aim of this work is to hydrogenate polyaromatics hydrocarbons using the coke-oven gas
instead of pure hydrogen. Coke oven-gas contains approximatively 55% Hz, 30% CH4, the
Mance being made by COZ, CO, CnHm, N2. Phenanthrene has been chosen as a model
compound for the P.A.H. in the heavy oils. Many works over catalytic hydrogenation of P.A.H.
were published, but anyonestudy the possibility of using coke-oven gas instead of pure hydrogen.
EXPERIMENTAL
Procedure
Experiments were performed in a 250 ml stainless steel PARR 4570 autoclave. 10 g of
phenanthrene and 2 g of catalyst are introduced in the reactor. without solvent. The inskdlation is
purged with the reactive gas and pressurised at ambiant temperature. Temperature is then raised as
quickly as possible to the desired one. The reaction system is continuously stirred at 250 rpm. After
reaction, the autoclave is cooled at ambient temperature and depressurised. The gases and the
liquids are collected and analyzed.
Catalysts
A commercial nickel-molybdene catalyst ( 3% NiO, 15% Moo3 on alumina, surface area : 300
m*/g) was used in all experiments. For comparison, some experiments were carried out with a
cobalt-molybdene catalyst and also with a palladium catalyst.
935
Analyses
Gases and liquids products are analyzed by gas chromatography. The g.c. conditions are described
elsewhere'. The products, first identified by gdms, are dihydrophenanthrene (DHP),
tetrahydrophenanthrene (THP), sym-octahydrophenanthrene(sOHP), asym-octahydrophenanthrene
(asOHP). and perhydrophenanthrene (PHP). Mass balances are controlled after each experiment.
The compositions of the different simulated coke-oven gases used in this work are given in table 1.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Hydrogenation of phenanthrene with pure hydrogen (gas 1)
The hydrogenation of phenanthrene under H2 pressure was studied as a fonction of reaction time.
Temperature and pressure were kept constant (370'C-21 MPa).The results are summarized in table
2 and confirms these of Colglough 10 at the same temperature and pressure. It can be seen also that
the yield of cracking products remains low. These results will be used for the comparison with the
hydrogenation performed with the other gases mixtures.
Hydrogenation of phenanthrene with simulated coke-oven gases.
Influence of reaction time.
The hydrogenation of phenanhrene was studied as a function of time, at 370°C and under 2 1 MPa
of a gas containing the two main components of a coke-oven gas, the Mance being made by
nitrogen (gas 3). The results are presented in table 2. As in pure hydrogen, the conversion of
phenanthrene is high. more than 90% after 2 hours.The PHP yield increases regularly but cannot
reach the value obtained under pure hydrogen, even after 16 hours of reaction.
Influence of temwrature
The hydrogenation of phenanthrene with gas 3 was studied between 300 "C and 450°C. Pressure
and reaction time were kept constant (21MPa- 16 hours). The results are shown in table 2. It can be
seen that a rise in temperature favour the hydrogenation reactions. The maximum yield of PHP is
obtained at 370°C. At higher temperature, the yield of PHP decreases while the yields of cracking
products and phenanthrene increase. Higher temperatures introduce ring opening reactions, lcading
to the formation of lower molecular weight products. The formation of aromatics compounds by
deshydrogenation reactions is also favoured by increasing tcmperature and explain the high yield,of
phenanthrene.
lnfluence of pressure.
The hydrogenation of phenanthrene was studied between 11 and 25 MPa of gas 3. Temperature
and reaction time were kept constant (370°C-16 hours). Table 2 gives the yieldof the products as a
function of pressure. At the lower pressure, the conversion of phenanthrene is low and the
hydroaromatics species are the major products. The hydrogenation of phenanthrene is favoured at
higher pressure. These results are also in agreement with these of previous works.
Influence of the comwnents of the coke-oven gas.
In order to lam more about the influence of each components. catdytic hydrogenation of
phenanthrene was studied under pressure of different simulated coke-oven gases. Temperature,
pressure and reaction time were kept constant (37OoC-21MPa-16 hours). Results are shown in table
2. The results are also compared to the one obtained under 11.5 MPa of hydrogen, this pressure
corresponding to the M partial pressure in the coke-oven gas.
- Hydrogen influence
Under pure H2 pressure, the conversion of phenanthrene is 99%. The yield of PHP is more than
80% and the yield of cncking products is small. The conversion and the yield of PHP decrease in
presence of nitrogen (gas 2). However. the yield of cracking products become important.The
comparison between the results obtained under 11.5 MPaof hydrogen and under 21 MPa of gas 2
permitted to distinguish between the influence of total pressure and hydrogen partial pressure. It
can be seen that for the same hydrogen pressure, the yield of cracking products is less important if
the total pressure is higher.
- Methane influence
The comparison of the results of reaction with gas 2 and gas 3 showed that the yields of the
different hydrogenated products are not significately influenced by the presence of methane. In our
experimental conditions. methanc does not handicap the atalytic hydrogemtion of phcnanthrene.
- Influence of the other components
The presence of ethane, ethylene and carbon dioxide (gas 5) modifies slightly the composition of
the hydrogenation products. On the other hand, the presence of CO lead to an important drop of the
yields of hydrogenated compounds and specially the PHP. The cracking bccomes also important: it
raises from 10% to308.
The influence of the carbon monoxide can be explained by the following hypotheses:
- formation of alkanes by Fisher-Tropsch type reactions, consuming hydrogen, for example:
CO + 3HZ -. CH4 + H20
- nanial de-tivation of :he calalysls, lhe carbon monoxide occupying preferentially some active
sites c'.
936
i
Y
In our experimental conditions, these reactions occur as shown by the following experimenb. The
composition of the hydrogenating gas (gas 4) has been compared before and afler reaction in 3
cases: Expl : the autoclave contains coke-oven gas (gas 4) alone;
Exp2 : the autoclavecontains coke-oven gas (gas4) and the NiMo catalyst;
Exp3: the autoclave contains coke-oven gas (gas 4). the NiMo catalyst and the phenanthrene.
The results are shown in table 3. The experiments 2 and 3 confirm the reactivity of carbon
monoxyde: the yield of methane increases while the yield of hydrogen decreases when coke-oven
gas is tmted in presence of the catalyst. The formation of propane could also be explained by
Fischer-Tropsch reaction. Partial hydrogenation of ethylene occurs also, even in the absence of the
Thermal cracking of the hydrogenated compounds.
In order to verify the thermal behaviour of the hydrogenated compounds, thermal cracking
experiments have been performed on the mixtures obtained after hydrogenation of the phenanthrene
with gas 4 and with pure hydrogen. The cnckings are made at atmospheric pressure undernitrogen
at 800°C and with a residence time of 1 s. As shown in table 4, the BTX yields obtained by thermal
cracking are directly related to the amount of perhydrogenated compounds present in the
hydrogenation products, as explained previously 'I.
Hydrogenation of heavy oils.
Two different industial oils have been hydrogenated : an heavy naphtha fraction of petroleum
(HLN) and a chrysenic fraction of a coal tar (HC). The experimental conditions are: ?": 370°C, P :
21 MPa, t : 16 h, cat.: sulfided Ni-Mo. The hydrogenating gas used is gas 4 and the results are
compared with hydrogenation under pure hydrogen. Due to the complexity of the oils, the thermal
cracking of the mixtures obtained after hydrogenation has been directly performed, mainly to
compare the BTX yields. It has to be pointed out that the untreated heavy oils do not contain BTX.
The results, summarized in table 5. indicate clearly that the amounts of perhydrogenated
compounds are lower when the simulated coke-oven gas is used for the hydrogenation, confirming
the results obained on the model substance.
calalyst.
CONCLUSIONS
The results obtained during this research have shown, the possibility to use a coke-oven gas to
perform the hydrogenation of PAH with a commercial catalyst. But it wm not possible, even by
increasing the reaction time, to obtain with a gas containing 55% H2 the Same yield of PHP as the
one obtained with pure hydrogen.
The influence of the various components of the coke-oven gas on the hydrogenation yields has
been investigated: CH4 does not handicap the cahlytic hydrogenation of the phenanthrene; the
presence of C2H4, C2H6, and CO2 modifies slightly the composition of the hydrogenation
products; the presence of CO leads to an important drop of the yields of hydrogenated compounds
and specially the perhydrogenated.
It can be concluded that, if the goal of the hydrogenation is not to obtain perhydrogenated
compounds for a chemid upgrading by thermal cracking, but to give partly hydrogenated
compounds to be used as hydrogen donor solvent in cml liquefaction processes, then the hydrogen
can be economically replaced by a coke-oven gas.
AKNOWLEDGEMENTS.
The authors wish to thank the Commission of the European Communities. Coal Directorate, for
their financial support for the project (ECSC Project 7220-EC/208).
REFERENCES.
I. Cyprhs R. and Bredael P., Fuel Process.Technol., 1980. 3,297.
2. Bernhardt R.S., Ladner W.R., Newman J.O. and Page P.W., Fuel, 1981, 60,139.
3. Perry M.B, Pukanic G.W.and Ruether J.A., Preprints Amer.Chem.Soc.Div.Fue1 Chem.,1989,
4. Sullivan R.F., Preprints Amer.Chem.Soc.Div.Fue1 Chem., 1986,31,280.
5. Greene M.,Huang S., Strangio V., ReillyJ., Preprints Amer.Chem.Soc.Div.Fue1 Chem.,l989,
6. Doughty P.W., Harrison G. and Lawson G.J., Fuel, 1989, 68, 298.
7. Doughty P.W., Harrison G. and Lawson G.J., Fuel, 1989, 68. 1257.
8. Fu Y .C., Akiyoshi M., Tanaka F.and Fiyika K., Preprints Amer.Chem.Soc.Div.Fuel Chem.,
9.Braekman-Danheux C., Cyprks R.. Fontana A, Lauren1 Ph. and Van Hoegaerden M., Fuel,
34,1206.
34.1 197.
1991.36.1887.
1992. 71.251.
10. Colclough P.: Proceedings of ECSC Round-Table on Coal Valorization , 1982.36.
937
Table 1. Composition ( vol.% ) of the gases used for hydrogenation.
Gas 1 : 10096H2
Gas 2 : 55% HZ, 45% N2.
Gas 3 : 55% H2,15% N2,30% CH4
Gas 4 : 55% HZ, 1% N2,30% CH4,6% CO, 3% CZH4,3% C2H6,2% C02
Gas 5 : 55% HZ, 7% N2,30% CH4,0% CO, 3% CZH4,3% CZH6,2% COZ
Table 2. Hydrogenation of phenanthrene (catalyst : sulfided Ni-Mo)
Gas T t P Phen. DHP THP OHP PHP Others
(“C) (h) (MPa) (Wt%) (Wt%) (Wt%) (Wt%) (Wt%) (Wt%)
1 370 1 21 5.8 8.3 5.9 26.8 48.0 0.9
2 1.2 7.3 1.9 24.8 60.2 1.2
4 0.7 4.9 1.6 23.6 67.9 1.1
16 0.7 1.9 0.6 20.7 81.2 1.1
16 11.5 3.9 5.8 6.0 16.5 55.6 2.4
3 370 2 21 6.8 11.1 13.1 33.7 26.6 0.5
4 6.2 10.0 10.5 25.9 38.9 1.3
8 5.4 7.5 8.2 18.7 47.9 2.3
12 5.2 6.0 6.8 17.9 54.3 7.1
16 2.8 5.4 5.2 14.6 61.0 8.9
3 300 16 21 3.4 0.5 1.9 72.5 12.7 2.6
350 2.7 5.7 4.8 24.1 58.0 1.3
400 5.3 8.3 7.9 20.1 40.5 7.3
450 25.0 5.4 5.2 3.5 33.9 18.0
3 370 16 11 25.3 7.3 13.6 13.5 21.4 3.5
15 12.2 6.1 11.4 19.1 37.8 5.3
25 0.9 3.2 1.9 9.7 72.8 7.2
2 370 16 21 3.7 5.6 5.8 13.9 59.8 0.8
4 7.4 5.2 8.0 16.4 26.6 29.2
5 3.1 5.2 5.0 14.6 57.8 9.0
Table 3. Behaviour of the hydrogenating gas (gas 4) during the reactions (vel.%)
H2 CH4 CO CO2 CzH4. CzH6 C3H8 Nz
Gas4 55.0 30.0 6.0 2.0 3.0 3.0 0.0 1.0
Exp.l 54.3 30.9 5.8 2.4 1.3 4.3 0.0 1.0
Exp.2 52.4 36.7 1.1 2.1 0.3 5.2 1.3 1.0
Exp.3 39.4 46.0 1.7 2.1 0.3 8.1 1.4 1 .o
938
Table 4. Thermal cracking of the phenanthrene hydrogenation products.
Cracking conditions : To: 800°C. residence time : 1 s, P : 0.1 MPa NZ.
Hydrogenation conditions : To : 370'C, t : 16 h, P : 21 Mh
wt% of the main compounds.
Product 1 : hydrogenated with gas 1.
Product 2 : hydrogenated with gas 4.
Product 1 Product 2
Before cracking After cracking Before cracking After cracking
Benzene 10.6 2.6
Toluene 4.8 1.7
Xylenes 1.7 0.8
Total BTX 17.1 5.1
Phenanthrene 0.7 3.9 7.4 15.4
DHP 1.9 5.2 0.4
THP 0.6 8.0 0.8
OHP 20.7 0.8 16.4 1.2
PHP 81.2 1.9 26.6 0.5
Table 5 . Thermal cracking of the heavy oils hydrogenation products.
Hydrogenation and thermal cracking conditions are the same as in table 4.
BTX yields (in wt%)
HLN HC
gas 1 gas 4 gas 1 gas 4
Benzene 6.7 3.6 5.1
Toluene 5.5 2.9 2.8
Xylenes 2.3' 1.9 1.5
Total BTX 14.8 8.4 9.4
2.1
0.7
0.5
3.3
1
I I
939
Role of Iron Catalyst on Hydroconversion of Aromatic Hydrocarbons
Eisuke Qata, Xain-Yong Wei', Akio Nishijima'. Tom0 Hojo' and Kazuyuki Horie
w e n t of Chemistry and Biotechnology. Graduate School of Engineering,
The University of Tokyo; 7-3-1, Hongo. Bunkyo-ku. Tokyo 113, Japan
1. Introduction
A symposium on iron-based catalysts for coal liquefaction was held at the 205th ACS
National Meeting[l]. and some of the p a p have been published in Energy & fietels[2]. Reviews
of the development of catalysts for coal liquefaction were also published in Journal of the Japvln
Insrimre of Energy[3], and Ozaki reviewed the results of the studies of upgrading residual oils by
means of thermal cracking and c d t i g under reduced pressures, catalytic cracking over nickel ores
and iron oxides, and hydrodesulfurization. as well as hydrodemetallization[4]. We reported that
catalysis of metallic iron and iron-sulfide catalysts were affected by the S/Fe ratio; the activity
inmsed with pyrrhotite formation and the activity was accelerated by the presence of excess
sulfur[5-8]. Activity of pyrite FeS, for phenanthrene hydrogenation[9] and activity of natural
ground pyrites for coal liquefaction[lO] decreased with storage under air. On the other hand, the
NEDoLprocess for a coal liquefaction pilot plant of 150 t/d which is one of the national projects
in Japan, will use pyrites as one of the catalysts for the first-stage because FeS, has high activity
and is low in price. In this paper, we describe in detail the role of iron catalysts in
hydroconversion of aromatic hydrocarbons such as diphenyl (DPh), dinaphthyl (DNp) and
diarylalkanes (DAAs) constructed with monocyclic aromatic-units and/or bicyclic aromatic-units
and both monocyclic and bicyclic aromatic units and linked with from one to three
methylene-groups.
2. Experimental
Materbls: (I-Naphthy1)phenylmethane (NPM) and di(1-naphthyhethane (DNM) were
synthesized by heating naphthalene (NpH) with benzyl chloride and 1-chloromethylnaphthalene in
the p e n c e of metallic zinc powder catalyst, respectively[ll], and 1,2-di(l-naphthyl)ethane
(DNE) was synthesized by the reaction of I-bromomethylnaphthalene with metallic iron powder
catalyst in boiling water [12]. 1.3-Di(l-naphthyl)ppane (DNP) was synthesized by a coupling
reaction of 1-naphthylmagnesium bromide with 1.3-dibromopropane in the presence of copper(1)
bromide catalyst in hexamethylphosphric biamide (HMPA) solvent [13]. These diarylalkane
(DAAs) were purified using conventional methods such as vacuum distillation, separation with
silica and alumina column chromatography and rrcrystallization from the solutions. The other
substrates such as 1-methylnaphthalene (1-MN), diphenyl (DPh). 1,l'-dinaphthyl (DNp).
diphenylmethane (DPM), 12diphenylethane (DPE), 1,3-diphenylpropane (DPP), triphenylmethane
(TF'M), 1-[4-(2-phenylethyl)benzyIlnaphthalRle (PEBN); hydrogen-donors such as
telralin (THN), 9.10-dihydrophenanthrene (DHP) and 9,lO-dihydroanthracene (DHA); and the
solvent decalin (DHN). were purchased commercially and further purified, if necessary, by
conventional methods. Pyrite FeS, and metallic iron ultra f i e powder Fe were
synthesized by Asahi Chemical Industry Co. Ltd. and Vacuum Metallurgical Co. Ltd.,
respectively. procedure: In typical reactions, 1.0 g of I-MN or PEBN or 7.7 mmol of D h .
the prescribed amount of FeS, or Fe catalysts and 30 ml of DHN, as well as the prescribed amount
sulfur (SFe ratio = 2.0) if necessary. were placed in 90 ml or 150 ml stainless steel, magnetically
stirred autoclaves. After pressurization with 10 MPa of hydrogen. nitrogen or argon. the
Catalysts:
^" Present Address: 'Department of Coal Reparration snd Utilization. China Univewrsiiy of Mining snd
Technology. Xuzhou (221008). Jiangsu, China: hrface Characterization Laboratory. National Institute of Malerids
and chemical Research. 1-1, !gashi. Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki 305. Japan; 'Depament of Industrial Chemistry, College
of Science ard Technology. Nihon Universlly, 1-8. Surugadai. Kanda, Chiyoda-ku. Tokyo 101. Japan.
940
I
autoclave was heated to the desired reaction temperature from 300°C to 400°C within 20 min and
maintained for 1 hr. It was then immediately cooled in an ice-water bath. Analyses: The reaction
Products were identified by GC-MS (Shimadzu GCMS QP-1000, equipped with a 0.24 nun (I.D.)
x 50 m (I,.) glass capillary column chemically bonded with OV-1 )and quantified by GC
(Shimadzu GC-lSA, equipped with the same capillary column ). Oxidation of FeS, CarOlySl:
FeS, was oxidized at room temperature. 80°C. 150°C and 200°C for the desired time under
atmospheric air. The bulk structure of iron catalysts oxidized and recovered after the reaction was
analyzed by using XRD ( Rigaku tknki Model RlNT 2400 ) and XPS (Perkin-Elmer Model PHI
5500). Substrates and the notations areshown in follo.wing-: PI
Qc c c
PHN 6 6 6 -$
DPP TPM DNp PNM DNM
DPM DPE
DNE DNP pEBN 3. Results and Discussion
Thermolysis of aromatic hydrocarbons was strongly affected by the bridged-methylene
length, aromatic-ring size in the arylalkane structure. and the presence of molecular hydrogen (H,)
in the reaction system as shown in Table 1. Under treaction conditions of 4oooC for 1 hr. DPM
was very stable in both the absence and presence of H,. The reactivity of diarylalkanes (DAAs)
constituted of two phenyl-rings increased in the following order: DPM << DPE << DPP. These
conversions were slightly increased by the presence of H,. Generally, the reactivities of DAAS
constituted of two naphthyl-rings were higher than those of diphenylalkanes (DPAs). It is
particularly remarkable Uiat many radical-adducts between species formed from C,,,k-Co,k bond
cleavage and solvent DHN molecule was recovered. and many phenylethyldecalins and
naphthylethyldecalins were produced especially in the case of diarylpropane thermolyses and the
formation was slightly depressed by the presence of gas phase H, molecule. From other
experiments it was shown that the reaction between styrene and DHN under the same reaction
conditions formed many phenylethyldecalins as solvent adducts. suggesting that these solvent
adducts were produced when arylethylenes were formed in the reaction system. These results
ultimately indicate that C-C bond scission was proceeded by a radical chain reaction and the
reactivity of DAAs was governed by dissociation energy of C,,k-C,,k and C,,&,, bonds in the
absence of catalyst.
Tables 2 and 3 show the effect of bridged methylene length in the diarylalkane structure on
the hydmonversion with pyrite FeS, catalyst at 300°C for 1 hr, and the effect of aromatic
ring-size and number in the arylalkane structure. DPE and DPP were not converted even after IO
hrs. The reaction of DPh yielded only cyclohexylbenzene via the hydrogenation of one
benzene-ring. DPM hydrocracking also proceeded via the C,,-Co,t bond scission, but DPM was
much less reactive than triphenylmethane CTPM). DNp hydrocracking resulted in the
corresponding tetra-hydrogenated 1 ,l'-dinaplithyls as main products. Reactivity of DNM was the
highest in this hydroconversion series. DNM hydrocracking mainly produced naphthalene (NpH)
and I-MN, via hydrogen addition to the ipso-carbon of DNM. Only a small amount of
hydrogenated di(l-naphthyl)methanes (H-DNMs) was produced. DNM hydrocracking was much
easier than that of DPM and TPM. Drastically different from DNM, the reactions of DNE and
DNP mainly yielded the hydrogenated 1,2-di(l-naphthyl)ethanes (H-DNEs) and the hydrogenated
1,3-di(l-naphthyl)propanes (H-DNPs) rather than decomposed products, respectively. The result
shows that the cleavage of the C,,-C,,t linkage in DNE and DNP is much more difficult than that in
DNM. The total selectivity of decomposed products in the case of DNp was higher than that in
DNE hydroconversion. Reaction of DNP mainly produced hydrogenated 1,3-di(l-naphthyl)-
propanes (H-DNPs), and a small amount of hydrocracked products such as NpH and (I-naphthyl)
941
propane (1-NP). Table 4 shows the effects of Fe and FeS, catalysts and reaction temperature on
the hydroconversion of DPM. FeS, catalyst has more hydrocracking sites than hydrogenation
sites. while Fe catalyst has highly active sites and mainly produced hydrogenated
diphenylmethanes (H-DPMs).
Table 5 shows the additive effects of hydrogendonors (H-donors) on DPP thermolysis and
the additive effects of metallic Fe and FeS, catalysts on DPP hydroconversion at 4oo°C for 1 hr.
DPP conversion decreased with H-donor addition in the order: none > THN >> DHP > DHA.
These results are easily undexstood because the resulting PhCH,' abstracts hydrogen atoms from
the Hdonors readily more than it does from DPP. In other words, the H-donors inhibited the
radical chain reaction in DPP thermolysis by donating their benzylic hydrogen to PhCH,'. Table 5
also demonstrates the catalytic effects of FeS, and Fe on the DPP thermolysis when compared
with the non-catalytic reaction of DPP under H, of 10 Mpa at 400°C. FeS, greatly promoted
C,,-C,,k bond scission as DPP hydrocracking. Under H,, the rate for DPP hydrocracking in the
presence of FeS, was ca. 2-fold faster than that in the absence of the catalyst and dramatically
decreased the formation of solvent adducts. Fe catalyst promoted DPP hydrogenation, but DPP
conversion was low, about the same as that under N,. 'fhis result suggests that Fe catalyst
promoted DPP hydrogenation and inhibited thermolysis. The inhibiting effect of Fe on DPP
thermolysis remains to be investigated. It appears remarkably that the formation of solvent
adducts such as phenylethyldecalins (PEDS) was drastically inhibited by FeS, and metallic Fe
catalysts.
FeS, was oxidized to ferrous sulfate FeSO,'H,O even at w m temperature under
atmospheric air, and the catalytic activities of oxidized FeS, on I-MN hydrogenation were
decreased with increases in the storage time. Recently, Linehan and co-workers [14,15] reported
the C-C bond scission activity of PEBN on well-characterized eleven synthesized iron-oxygen
compound catalysts in the presence of elemental sulfur and a hydrogen-donating solvent in detail.
As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, thermolysis of PEBN under Ar was stable, but the conversion of
PEBN was effectively accelerated in the presence of 10 MPa H, and the main readon was
changed from C,,k-C,, bond scission (Route [A] )t o C,,-C,, bond scission (Route [a).Me tallic
Fe catalyst mainly accelerated the hydrogenation (Roufe [B]), and FeS, catalyst promoted C-C
bond scission of Roufe [a. FeS, catalyst activity was decreased with the oxidation of FeS, by
oxygen in the air. However, the deactivated FeS, catalysts were mactivated by the presence of
excess elemental sulfur in the system, and the reaction proceeded along Roufe [C].
4. Concluding Remarks
Hydroconversion of aromatics and arylalkanes as a model reaction of coal liquefaction and
heavy petroleum residue degradation was carried out in the absence or presence of metallic iron Fe
and pyrite FeS,. Thermolysis of some diarylalkanes proceeded slowly by the radical chain
reaction. The reaction rate was reduced by the addition of hydrogen-donating solvents and was
slightly accelerated in the presence of hydrogen molecules. Metallic Fe catalyst accelerated the
hydrogenation of aromatic-rings, espially bicyclic-rings, more than that of monocyclic-rings.
FeS, catalysts, which is converted to pyrrhotite Fe,,S under reaction conditions, promoted
C,,-C,, bond cleavage of diarylmethanes only, and also promoted the hydrogenation of
diarylethanes and diarylpropanes. C-C bond cleavage of arylalkanes was related to the
hydrogen-accepting ability. C-C bond dissociation energy and resonance energy of the species
after C-C bond scission. Oxidation of pyrites and its catalysis were also investigated. It was
found that the catalytic activity of pyrites in the hydrogenation of 1-methylnaphthalene and
1-[4(2-phenylethyl)benzyllnaphthalened ecreased with oxidation under air, and deactivated pyrites
was reactivated by addition of sulfur to the reaction system.
'
'
Acknowledgment
The authors wish to thank to the New Sunshine Rogram Promotion Headquarters. Agency
942
J
J
Of Industrial Science and Technology, Ministry of International Trade and Industry Of Japan for
financial support.
References
1. hprt."Syrnposium on Iron-Based Catalysts for Coal Liquefaction", Div. Fuel Chem..
2. Energy &Fuels, &(l), (Special issue), p-2-123 (1994).
3. J. Jpn Instit. Energy, a (1). (Special issue). p-2-49 (1994).
4. H. m i , Sekiyu Gakkaishi, 3-6, (3), 169 (1993).
5. E. Ogata, E. Niki, hoc. 27th Conf. Coal Sci. Jpn. Soc. Fuel (Tokyo). pp-115 (1990).
6. X.-Y. Wei, E. Ogata, E. Niki, Chem. Lett., 2199 (1991).
7. X.-Y. Wei, E. Ogata, Z.-M. Zong. E. Niki, Energy&Fuels, 6. 868 (1992).
8. E. Ogata, K. Ishiwata, X.-M. Wei, E. Niki, Proc. 7th Inter. Conf. Coal Sci.(Banff). Vol.'
9. E. Ogata, T. Suzuki, K. Kawamura. Y. Kamiya, 26th Conf. Coal Sci. Jpn. Soc. Fuel
205th ACS National Meeting (Denver), Vol. 38 (No.l),pp-1-238 (1993).
11, pp-349 (1993).
(Sapporo), pp121 (1989).
10. K. Hirano, T. Hayashi, K. Hayakawa. 30th Conf. Coal Sci. Jpn. Soc. Fuel (Tokyo),
11. S. Futamura, S. Koyanagi, Y. Kamiya.FueL 63. 1660 (1984).
12. N. P. Buu-Hoi and N. Hoan, J. Org. Chem.. u, 1023 (1949).
13. J. Nishijima. N. Yamada, Y. Horiuchi. E. Ueda. A. Ohbayashi, and A. Oku, Bull. Chem.
14. J. C. Linehan, D. W. Matson. and J. G. Darab, Energy & Fuels, 8, 56 (1994).
15. D. W. Matson, J. C. Linehan. J. G. Darab. and M. F. Duehler, Energy & Fuels. 8,
pp-161 (1993).
Soc. Jpn.. Se, 2035 (1986).
10 (1994).
Table 1 Effect of Chain-length and Rlng-sizefn the Diarylalkanc Structure and 10 MPa of
H y d a t 4 M l Cf or 1 hr.
Substrate
0
selectivity (mol % )
Benzene o o 0 98.2 o 3.4 o o o n
Naphthalene 0 0 0 0 0 0 61.7 1.5 12.6 0
Arylmethane o o 20(r 101.a' 100' 96.6' 61.7b 174.4~1 3 2 . ~1~05 .0b
Arylethane 0 0 0 98.2' 2.9' 16.5' 0 9.7d 6.8
Arylethvlene 0 0 0 0 9.8" 6.2' 0 0 0 14.9'
Table 2 Elfects of Chain-length in the Diqlalkane S~NC~UonI XH ydmconversionw ith
b i l e F e m 0 0 " C fo r 1 hr.
6.2) (36.1) (0) (0) --- --- ___ ___
Selectivity( mol 9% )
Beraene 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Naphthalene 0 0 0 0 17.3 95.7 1.8 10.3
ArylmelhanC 0 loob 0 0 0 89.0' 2.3' tr'
H-DAAs 100 0 0 4x3' 2.9 868 88.1
Arylelhane ' 0 0 0 0 0 ' 0 o.Ad tr"
Arylpropnc 0, 0 0 0 0 0 0 7.0
a: ReactionTme 10 hrs: b Toluene: c: 1-Melhylnaphlhdene: d Elhylnaphlhalene: e: HydmgnrsM
Diarylalkanes: I: Cyclohenylbwzme: 8: HydmgRlsted Diaphlhyls.
943
Table 3 EIlects of Ring+ vd Number in the Diarylmee Slr~cture
0- C for 1 hr.
DPM WM NPM DNM
3.1 36.1' 21.4 86 92
Selectivity ( mol 96 )
Benzene 100 99 102.6 tr 0
Naphthalene 0 0 96
mlmethane 100' 99' g.6' 76:' 89'
Telralins 0 0 0 9.3 7.9
Diarylmethane --- --- 97.k 12O -_-
H-DAAs' 0 1.5 W 15 2.9
a: Reaction Time IO lus: b: Tolumc: c. I-Melhylnaphhlcne: d: Diphenyhelhane:
E: (Z-NsphlhylJ-phmylme~~1c. ;H yckqenared diqlalkanes.
Table 4 Effects of Iron Catalysts and Reaclion Tempxature on Hydroconversion
of Diohnvlmdhanc for 1 hr.
Tcm , Caialysi (g) COW. &&$itv ( mol % )
("c o) CHx' PhH MCP To1 DCHM BCH
300 Fe (0.23 ) 58.4 0 0 0 0 13.4 86.6
300 FeS, (0.50)' 3.1 0 100 0 100 0 0
400 Fe (0.02)' 79.3 3.2 0 9.8 0 42.1 57
400 FeS. (0.50) 59.1 0 98 0 97.2 2.4 0
a: Cyclohexk: b w, ~,Methylcydohexanc: d: Toluene: e: Dicyc~ohexyhcthane:
I: &nzykyclohexam: 8: Addi lc~o fS ulfur 0.05 8.
Tabic 5 Additive Fllect of Hydrogcn-Donating Solvcnts and Iron Catalysts on Conversion
R c a c l ~ o n _ o L D _ i p h c ~ l ~ ~ ~ ~ c - a I ~ C l o r l h f
Additive (g) Gas React. Conv. SleCtivity ( mo10/0)
Phase Timethi1 (Yo) PhH' Tal' Elmd S& CHPP' BCHP P E D L
1 39.9 0 100 2.9 9.8 0 0 87.4 71)s 3 1 28.6 0 100 3.8 19.5 0 0 76.7
DHP 7.5' N: 1 7.4 0 100 6.4 39.8 0 0 53.8
None 0 1 4615 3.4 96.6 16.5 6.2 0 0 73.4
None 0 $ 2 7:.1 :.I E 9 ",.I :.I 0 68.9
Fe 0.02 2 65.9 10.7 53.948.8 0 26.9 8.5 15.8
FeS 0.5d 2 1 69.7 8.7 87.6872 2.6 3.7 0 0
~ e S ~ O . S d - H : _ _ 2 ~ 6 _ _ 9 , 8 6 . 8 8 6 . ~ 1 . 9 _ 3 5 0 0
a: Rcacuon Condilion DPP 7.5 mol. DHN 30 ml. PH2 IO MPa: b Benzene: c: Toluenc: d: Elhylbcmcnc:
e: Slyrene: I: C~c lohe~lphcnyl~ropan8e: :B icyclohcxyllropane: h Phenylelhyldceslins: i: mo l :
j: Additionof Sulfur 0.05 8.
- D H A L N 1 1 0 . 9 2 . 0-
Fe 0.02 H, 1 40.0 6.6 63.4 56.2 0 24.7 5.3 13.8
100 :f-J 40
20
0 o z 4 B a i o 1 2 1
Rescllon Time ( hr I
:ig. 2 Reaction 01 1-[4(2-Phenylethyl)benzyl]naph~halene
Fig. 1 EHecl of Reaction Time on the Conversion Reactlon
01 1 -[4-~2-Phenylethyl)benryllnaphthalene.
0 HI. 350°C. 0 Hz .380"C. 0. HZ . 400'C. 0 ' Ar .380"C.
A. H2. 380'C. Fe Cal(0 05 g)
ReaCrtonCondilwlns PEEN 1 Og. DHN 30ml PH2 1OMPa.
' Ar. 400°C. A: H2 - 380°C. DHA Adalllon(0HNPEBN = 3 0).
944
\
i
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/
I i
CATALYSIS OF ALKENE AND ARENE
HYDROGENATION BY THERMALLY ACTIVATED SILICA
Venkatasubramanian K. Rajagopal
Robert D. Guthrie
Department of Chemistry
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY 40506
Burtron H. Davis
Kentucky Center for Applied Energy Research
3572 Iron Works Pike, Lexington, KY 4051 1
Keywords: Deuterium Incorporation, Diphenylacetylene, Hydrogenation Stereochemistry
INTRODUCTION
In a recent study we described the hydrogenation of stilbene, a-methylstyrene and
anthracene at 410 OC under 14 MPa of hydrogen or deuterium gas in the absence of
added catalysts to give diphenylethane, cumene and 9,lO-dihydroanthracene
respectively.' As we were simultaneously working on the hydroliquefaction of coalmodel
compounds attached to silica: we became aware of work by Bittner, Bockrath and
Sola? which demonstrated catalytic effects of thermally activated silica in reactions
involving H, and D,. Using a.pulse-flow microreactor, Bittner showed that after fumed
silica is heated at 330 OC for 16 h in an argon stream it catalyzes the reaction H, + D, --f
2 HD at temperatures as low as 120 OC. Moreover, this material catalyzes the
hydrogenation of ethene to ethane at 150 OC and produces ethane-d, when D, is used
as a flow gas. We became curious to see whether silica activated in this way would
Sewe as a hydrogenation catalyst in a static reactor. Our results and additional
information about the catalytic behavior of this material are described below.
EXPERIMENTAL
Hydrogenation Procedure. Approximately 300 mg of fumed silica (Cab-0-Si1 M-5,
Cabot Corporation) was placed in a length of (16 mm 0. d.) glass tubing with a section
of 1 - 2 mm capillary ( ca. 16 cm long) attached to one end. Plugs of glass wool were
placed between the silica powder and the tube exits. This assembly was heated in a tube
furnace either at 330 OC or at 430 OC for 16 or more hours with argon flowing in the
capillary tube and out through a ca. 2 mm hole in a stopper placed in the wide end. After
this activation time, the tube was cooled to room temperature and a substrate was
introduced maintaining the argon atmosphere during the addition process. The argon flow
was then discontinued, the assembly evacuated, and the noncapillary end of the tube
sealed under vacuum. Argon was readmitted and the reaction vessel was placed in a
steel tube reactor under H, or D, pressure. The assembly was heated for the desired
time period in a fluidized sand bath as described earlier! When the heating period was
complete, the apparatus was cooled, the pressure released, the glass reactor section
cracked open and the silica hydrolysed with ca. 30 mL of 1 M aqueous NaOH for ca. 15
h. At this point a measured aliquot of an external standard (biphenyl in CH,CI,) was
added. The aqueous solution was acidified and extracted three times with CH,CI? The
glass reaction vessel was washed with CH,CI, and the washings combined wlth the
extracts. The solvent was removed by rotary evaporation and the products analyzed by
GC and GCIMS.
Exchange Experiments. Experiments to assess surface exchange were carried out in
the same way as for the D, experiments described above except that instead of cracking
the tube open after the D, treatment, a sample of phenol in benzene was added to the
tube through the capillary opening using small diameter polyethylene tubing. Most of the,
benzene was pumped out and the capillary section sealed. The entire assembly was
then placed in a tube furnace at 400 OC for 60 min. We have shown in other experiments
that phenol-d, undergoes replacement of three of its ring deuterium atoms by hydrogen
atoms atoms on heating with Cab-0-Si1 at temperatures above 140 OC.' After heating,
the sealed tube was opened and the contents hydrolyzed in NaOH solution as described
in the previous section. Control experiments showed that phenol could be recovered
quantitatively from the hydrolysis workup and that the workup did not remove ring
deuterium atoms.
.
945
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The results from hydrogenation of several alkenes in the presence of thermallyactivated
silica are given in Table 1. The compound examined most extensively was
stilbene (1,2-diphenylethene), STB.
Table 1. Reaction of Unsaturated Compounds with D, or H, in the Presence and Absence
of Thermally-Activated Silica.
300 90 D, A I29 + 6gh I <1
a A = Activated, NA = not activated. cidtfans = 0.085. cidfrans = 0.087. Product
appears to be mixture of dihydronaphthalene-d, and tetralin-d,. e Remainder appears to
be alkene isomers. DPA = Diphenylacetylene. Product contains 3.3% diphenylethane,
DPE, and 38.8% mixed cis- and trans-STB, cidffans = 0.26. This run was carried out
with a different procedure, however, and it is not certain that all of the DPA was available
for reaction. Product is a mixture of DPE (29%) and STB with no significant amount of
residual DPA. The STB shows cidfrans = 0.1 8.
It is clear that for STB there is no reaction with D, at 350 O C in the absence of silica and
nearly complete hydrogenation to DPE after 90 min in the presence of activated silica.
For the three runs carried out in the presence of silica, the deuterium distribution in the
DPE produced was d, = 85.4%, d3 = 6.0% d4 = 3.5% in the first run, d, = 83.7%, 'L, =
10.6% d4 = 2.0% in the second run, and 4 = 63.3%, d3 = 25.4% d4 = 7.2% in the third
run. The balance was a small amount of do DPE present as an impurity in the STB.
Thus, the product was mainly d, material which underwent additional deuteration at longer
times and higher temperatures. 'H NMR showed that neither the DPE nor the STB
remaining contained any significant amount of aromatic D whereas there was a prominent '
signal for the aliphatic D in the DPE produced. It will be noted that unactivated silica
does catalyze the reaction to a lesser extent, but this might be expected in view of the
fact that reaction temperatures are similar to activation temperatures. With naphthalene,
there appears to be a small amount of dihydronaphthalene and tetralin being formed and
these contain mainly 2 and 4 atoms of D respectively. However, we have not been able
to increase the yield much above 1% by increases in time or temperature. Possible
reasons for this situation are discussed below.
Nonene was picked as a prototypical nonaromatic alkene and it shows
hydrogenation to nonane. The saturated material produced under these conditions is a
mixture of ca. 64% nonane-d, and 36% nonane-d,. The unreacted 1 -nonene is mainly
undeuterated, but the precision required to determine small amounts of D was unavailable
due to extensive mass spectral fragmentation. Both of the nonene isomers, presumably
cis- and trans-2-nonene are mainly d, material but contain about 30 % do material. It thus
seems likely that 1-nonene can isomerize under these circumstances and that at least
part of the process does not involve the intermediacy of nonane-d,.
The reaction is not limited to alkenes as anthracene can be reduced to
dihydroanthracene, mainly with two atoms of D. Diphenylacetylene (DPA) is also
946
J
I
hydrogenated. At 350 OC, the STB produced is largely converted to DPE-d,. At 300 O C ,
substantial amounts of intermediate STBs are observed, mainly 4. The STB from these
experiments seemed to be slightly enriched in the cis-isomer but the analysis was
inherently imprecise due to the GC overlap between cis-STB and DPE. In order to
provide more convincing evidence that the initial product of hydrogenation of DPA is cis-
STB, the reaction.temperature was lowered to 250 OC. Data for hydrogenation of DPA
(with H,) under these conditions'is presented in Table II.
Table 11. Yields of Products from Reaction of Diphenylacetylene with H, at 250 "C Over
Thermally-Activated Cab-0-Sil.
I' I
a STB = Stilbene. DPA = Diphenylacetylene. Thermal equilibration gives a ratio of
0.1 at 350 'C. OPE = Diphenylethane. e Reasons for the dramatic decrease in DPE
formation in the 60 min run are uncertain. But, for this run the silica was activated at 430
"C rather than the 330 OC used for all of the other runs. This result is being checked.
It is clear from the data in Table II that the predominant product of hydrogenation
of DPA at 250 OC is cis-STB by a ratio of at least 3 to 1. The equilibrium ratio of cis-
/trans-STB has not been established at 250 OC, but the 5th and 6th runs of Table I show
that at 350 "C the ratio is 0.086 and a lower value might be expected at 250 "C. Thus
there seems little doubt that cis-STB is the kinetic product of DPA hydrogenation. This
would seem to clearly rule out radical processes in which the two hydrogen atoms are
transferred independently. The fact that we see none of the products expected from 1,2-
diphenylethyl radicals: tetraphenylbutane or 1,l -diphenylethane also supports this ~
conclusion. It appears that, whatever the active site for silica-catalyzed hydrogenation
might be, it is similar to a metal-surface type catalyst in that H atoms are transferred in
pairs and transferred in a stereoselectively syn fashion. It seems likely that the trans-STB
produced in this reaction results from the thermal isomerization of the cis-isomer.
Comparison of the STB runs in Table I carried out at 300 and 350 OC to the run in the
last column of Table II shows that a temperature change of 100 O C does not have the
effect on the conversion of STB to DPE that would be expected for a thermally activated
reaction. For the thermal hydrogenation of STB studied earlier, reaction proceeds at a
kinetically convenient rate at 410 "C but is not measurable after comparable times at 350
"C. It would thus seem a reasonable hypothesis that the rate-limiting step in the catalytic
process has a low enthalpy of activation and may be controlled by geometric restrictions
for access to the site.
It seemed logical that if D, is combining with silica in order to be activated for
addition to unsaturated molecules, that the formation of OD bonds must be involved and,
this being the case, that the process would provide a mechanism for exchange of the Si-
OH groups on the silica surface with the D, atmosphere. In their microreactor process,
Bittner did not obselve formation of HD when D, was passed over the thermally-activated
silica? Nevertheless, it seemed possible that this would happen under the higher
pressures used in our experiments. To this end we carried out a series of experiments
in which silica was activated then heated with D, followed by removal of the D, under
vacuum and heating with phenol. Earlier work had shown that the ortho and parapositions
of phenol undergo exchange with OH groups on the silica surface at
temperatures above 140 OC.' After recovery from an aqueous workup the deuterium
content of the phenol was determined by GC/MS analysis. Data are presented in Table
111.
Although there is some scatter in the data, it is clear that heating with D, at
temperatures above 200 OC introduces SiOD grou s on the silica surface. Calculations
based on the expected5 4.5 SiOH groups per nm P of surface area suggest that roughly
947
75% of the surface SiOH groups are replaced by SiOD groups in the high temperature
runs. The threshold temperature for the exchange reaction with D, appears to be
between 200 and 250 'C. In the four runs carried out at 250 'C, the exchange with D,
seemed about twice as great with silica which had undergone prior activation, however,
the effect of activation on exchange was not as great as that on the STB reduction.
Table 111. Deuterium Content of Phenol Exchangeda with Cab-0-Si1 (300 mg) Previously
Treated with D, at 14 MPa at Various Temperatures.
a See Experimental section for details of the exchange experiments
It remains uncertain at this point whether the mechanism for deuterium exchange
of the silica surface hydroxyl groups and the mechanism for hydrogenation of alkenes are
linked. At least for the alkene reaction, we can roughly estimate the concentration of
active sites by the following experiment. Activated silica is heated with D,, a process
which Table 111 demonstrates will convert most of the surface SiOH groups to SiOD
groups. The resultant deuterated silica (300 mg) which then has at least 0.33 mmole of
D on the surface (after pumping off excess D,) is heated with excess STB. The STB
then contains a small amount of DPE-d,. This amount is less than 0.015 mmole or
roughly 10 % of the equivalents of D, present on the surface.
We find in some experiments that the thermally activated silica also is capable of
catalyzing the hydrogenation of aromatic rings. The circumstances of this occurrence and
the type of compound which is susceptible are under continuing investigation. As shown
in Table I, a small amount of naphthalene is hydrogenated under the conditions
described. To our astonishment, DPE is more extensively hydrogenated than
naphthalene provided that the silica is thermally activated either for several days at 330
"C or at 430 "C for 16 h. We have found that the latter procedure gives reasonably
reproducible results. Representative experiments are listed in Table IV. The reaction
gives two products with gas chromatographic retention times which are very similar to
DPE. With H, these products have mass spectra which match l-cyclohexyl-2-
phenylethane (CPE) and 1,2-dicyclohexylethane (DCE). Each is extensively deuterated
and the 'H NMR spectrum of the mixture shows an envelope of purely aliphatic D atoms
in the range of 1 to 1.5 ppm from TMS. The D content of the two reduction products
suggests that much of the material arises from the replacement of the four benzylic H
atoms in DPE as well as the addition of three D, molecules per reduced benzene ring.
However, evidence for exchange at the aliphatic sites of the saturated rings is provided
by the presence of up to CPE-d,, and up to DCE-4,. The DPE which is recovered is
mainly DPE-d, but there is evidence for some exchange in the aromatic rings as well.
Astonishingly, when naphthalene is mixed with DPE and subjected to the
conditions of Table IV, neither compound is hydrogenated and, moreover, the presence
of naphthalene prevents even the exchange of the benzylic hydrogens as the DPE
recovered contains very little deuterium. From a thermodynamic standpoint, it should be
easier to hydrogenate one ring in naphthalene than the isolated phenyl rings of DPE. It .
948
I
I
Run 1 Run 2 Run 3
Activation Time 42 h .16 h 16 h
Activation Temp. 330 OC 430 OC 430 OC
Run Time l h l h 7 h
/
Run Temp. 1 350 OC I 35OoC 1. 350 OC
Yield CPEa I 30.4% I 22.6%e I 37O/oe I
Recovery DPEC
11 Yield DCEb I 5% I 5%: 1 13%: II
64% I 72Yog 50 %g
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors gratefully acknowledge a grant from the United States Department of Energy,
Pittsburgh, DE-FG22-91-PC91291, supporting this work.
REFERENCES
1. Rajagopal, V.; Guthrie, R. D.; Shi, B.; Davis, 6. H. Prepr., Div. Fuel Chem., Am.
Chem. SOC. 1994, 39, 673.
2. Guthrie. R. D.; Ramakrishnan, S.; Britt, P. F.; Buchannan, Ill., A. C.; Davis, 6. H.
Prepr., Div. fuel Chem., Am. Chem. SOC. 1994, 34, 668.
3. Bittner, E. W.: Bockrath, B. C.; Solar, J. M. J. Catal 1994, 749, 206
4. Guthrie, R. D.; Shi. B.; Sharipov, R.; Davis, 6. H. Prepr. Div. fuel Chem., Am. Chem.
5. Information provided in product bulletin by Cabot Corporation for Cab-0-Si1 M-5.
6. Dent, A. L.; Kokes, R. J. J. Am. Chem. SOC. 1970,92, 6709-6718.
SOC. 1993, 38, 526-533.
949
HYDROGENATION/DEHYDROGENATION OF MULTICYCLIC COMPOUNDS
USING ATTM AS CATALYST PRECURSOR
Richard P. Dutta and Harold H. Schobert
Fuel Science Program
Pennsylvania State University
University Park, Pa 16802.
Keywords: Hydrogenatioddehydrogenation; kinetics; thermodynamics.
Introduction
Coal liquefaction can be considered a viable technical alternative for production of advanced
fuels if the coal macromolecule can be broken up into low molecular weight fragments and
hydrogenated to decrease the concentration of aromatics in the final product. Previous studies have
shown that the initial breakdown of coal can be achieved using various catalysts and various
conditions. However, if the final product is to be a very high quality distillate, the coal liquids still
need funher hydrotreatment if they are to be satisfactory. One way to improve the quality is to add
another step to the liquefaction process. This would employ a very active catalyst to hydrogenate
the products from the first liquefaction stage. However if operating costs are to be kept to a
minimum, it would be advantageous to hydrogenate the coal fragments as they are being released
during the first stage of liquefaction. Burgess has shown that ammonium tetrathiomolybdate
(A'ITM) can be used as a catalyst precursor ina process for conversion of coal to a "proto-jet fuel"
[I]. Coal conversion up to 95% were observed but the products were aromatic and contained some
phenols.
Various temperature strategies have been formulated for coal liquefaction. The majority of
these strategies are concerned with the depolymerisation of coal and the avoiding of retrogressive
reactions. Another important aspect of temperature strategies is the thermodynamic behavior of
released coal fragments, With careful 'fine tuning' of the reaction conditions, it could be possible
to have advantageous thermodynamics in the system along with reasonably fast kinetics of
depolymerisation of the coal macromolecule. Basically, a trade-off between kinetics and
thermodynamics is possible.
Model compound studies can, be used to understand the fundamental behavior of coal
fragments during coal liquefaction and coal liquids upgrading. The literature on hydrogenation of
model compounds is vast and has been recently reviewed by Girgis [Z].
For the past several years we and our colleagues have been investigating the hydrogenation
and dehydrogenation chemistry of a variety of polycyclic compounds. This work has aimed at
investigating some of the fundamental chemical processes involved in various aspects of fuel
utilization. The compounds investigated have included decalin and tetralin [3], anthracene [4],
phenanthrene (5.61, pyrene [6,7] and chrysene [6].
This paper will discuss the hydrogenation and dehydrogenation behavior of naphthalene
and pyrene. Kinetic and thermodynamic parameters will be calculated from product distribution
trends. From these parameters it should be possible to outline a possible reaction strategy that
allows all these compounds to remain in their hydroaromatic states during a coal liquefaction
operation.
Experimental
All reactions were carried out in 25ml microautoclave reactors (made of type 3 16 stainless
steel). In all runs, 3+0.01g naphthalene or pyrene (Aldrich, 99%. used as received) and
0.075M.005g ammonium tetrathiomolybdate (Aldrich, used as received) were weighed into the
reactor. The reactor was then evacuated and pressurized with hydrogen to 7MPa. Heating was
accomplished by lowering the reactor into a fluidized sand bath preheated to the desired
temperature. After a measured reaction time, the reactor was quenched to room temperature by
immersing it in a cold water bath. The products from the reaction were removed from the reactor
using THF. The THF was removed by rotary evaporation and the product was weighed. It was
found that in all cases the weight of the products equaled the weight of the original compound
before reaction. The products were dissolved in acetone and analysed using a Perkin-Elmer
8500GC.
In order to determine the dehydrogenation behavior of the hydrogenated pyrenes, the
products from pyrene hydrogenated at 350°C and 60 minutes, 4WC and 80 minutes, and 450°C
and 40 minutes, were catalytically dehydrogenated under Nz. This was accomplished using the
same reactors as in the hydrogenation step. The products from the three hydrogenations listed
above were weighed into the reactor along with a 1 wt% (metal) loading of A'ITM. The reactor was
pressurised with approx. 3MPa N2 and immersed in a sand bath at the desired temperature and for
the desired reaction time. After this time, the reactor was quenched as before, and the products
were removed using THF. The products were analysed using GC as before. The dehydrogenation
behavior of tetralin was investigated in a similar way to the hydrogenated pyrenes.
Results and discussion
1. Naphthalene
Thermodvnmcs.
Figure 1 shows the product distributions of naphthalene hydrogenation at 350, 400 and
450'C for various reaction times up to 3hrs. In all cases only tetralin was detected as a
950
\
\
\
I
\
hydrogenation product of naphthalene. No decalin was observed. Cracking/isomerisation products
of tetralin were observed at 450'C. but total concentration did not exceed 5wt%. At 450'C.
conversion of naphthalene to tetralin reaches a maximum at 51%. At 4WC, conversion is 62%
and at 350'C the reaction does not reach equilibrium, but after 3hrs conversion is 72% (to calculate
Kp for 350'C reaction, extrapolation used to assume 95% conversion). Figure 2 shows how the
product distribution at equilibrium varies with temperature. From these equilibrium compositions,
Kp values were calculated as below:
Kp = Itetralinleq.
[naphthalene]eq.[H~p ressure12
Table 1 reports the Kp values for naphthalene hydrogenation. As expected, Kp decreases with
increasing temperature. This is because thermodynamics controls the extent of the reaction as the
temperature increases.
The variation in Kp with temperature can be used to find the enthalpy of the reaction. This
is done using the van't Hoff isochore equation:
d In Kp/dT = AH/RT*
A van? Hoff plot gives a value of -32 kcalhol. This is in agreement with values given in the
literature (-29-32 kcal/mol) [8,9].
1. Reversible reaction kinetics
of the forward and reverse rate constants:
l€&ic%
This can be modeled as a first order process with an effective rate constant equal to the sum
- dCA/dt = kfCAPH2" - k&N
where CA = concentration aromatic at time t, CN = concentration hydroaromatic at time t, kf =
forward rate constant and kr = reverse rate constant.
On integration, the following expression is derived:
In CA - CAe 1 CAo - CAe = -(kf+kr) t
where CAO is the initial aromatic concentration and CAe is the equilibrium aromatics concentration.
2. Irreversible reaction kinetics.
to obtain the forward rate constant:
If equilibrium effects are negligible, a simple pseudo-first order kinetic model can be used
If values of the above equation are plotted upto the time where equilibrium effects the reaction, a
good approximation of kfcan be obtained.
Table 1 shows the calculated values of the rate constants calculated from plots of the above
kinetic equations. Figure 7 shows an Arrhenius plot of the calculated rate constants. An activation
energy of 14.7 kcaVmol for the forward reaction, and 25.5 kcaYmol for the reverse reaction were
calculated. From this plot, dehydrogenation would be favored over hydrogenation at a temperature
of 416°C.
!hW If hydroaromatics are to be produced from aromatics. two factors have to be considered.
I. Conversion.
2. Length of time to get to the desired conversion level.
As can be seen from the data, conversion decreases with increasing temperature, but the
kinetics of the reaction are slower at lower temperatures. From the data, it can be concluded that
high temperatures are desirable for the first 40 minutes of reaction, but after this time
thermodynamics limit the conversion. At this point, it is then advisable to drop the temperature to
below 400°C. and continue to convert naphthalene to tetralin as seen in the 350'C reaction. To
hydrogenate only at 350'C would take too long to achieve respectable conversions, i.e. conversion
at 350°C and 120 minutes is the same as 450°C and 60 minutes. Therefore in hydrogenating
naphthalene to tetralin a reverse temperature stage reaction is proposed.
Stage I . 4OO'C and 40 minutes reaction time.
Stage 2.350'C and 60 minutes reaction time.
Dehydrogenation reactions of tetralin
Figure. 3 shows the product distribution of tetralin dehydrogenation at 350,400. and 450'C
for reaction times up to 30 minutes. As temperature increases, the rate of dehydrogenation
increases. and the conversion of tetralin to naphthalene also increases. At 350 and 400°C.
conversion to naphthalene does not exceed 13%. but at 450'C conversion is 42%. This explains
, .
ICS vs T h e m o d v n m
951
the rapid approach to equilibrium seen in the hydrogenating reactions and the relatively low
conversions seen at the high temperature of 450°C.
2. Pvrene I ~-
-stribution of pyrene. dihydropyrene, tetrahydropyrene and hexahydropyrene are
shown in figures 4 and 4b. From these product distributions it can be seen that temperature is
affecting the conversion of pyrene to hydrogenated pyrenes. At 450°C. equilibrium is reached after
20 minutes. with 28% conversion of Dvrene. At 4WC. eauilibrium is reached after 80 minutes. ~~~~ ~.
with 45% conversion of pyrene. At 33&C, equilibrium is iot observed, even after 120 minutes of
'reaction. Conversion at this point is 55% pyrene to hydrogenated pyrenes. These product
distribution trends are similar to that observed for naphthalene hydrogenation in that as temperature
increases. conversion decreases but the rate of reaction to equilibrium increases. Figure 5 shows
the equilibrium composition of pyrene and total hydrogenated pyrenes. Kp values are reported in
table 1. Kp decreases with increasing temperature. These values can be used to determine the
enthalpy of reaction as described earlier. A value of -6.4 kcaVmol is obtained from a van't Hoff
plot. This value is a reasonable comparison to the value obtained by Johnston (-10 kcal/mol)[lO].
Kinetics.
A similar model is used for evaluation of pyrene kinetic data as was used for naphthalene.
Rate constants ar reported in table I . Figure 8 shows an Arrhenius plot for the calculated rate
constants. An activation energy of 6.83 kcal/mol for the forward reaction, and 21.5 kcaVmol for
the reverse reaction were calculated. From this plot, dehydrogenation would be favored over
hydrogenation at temperatures above 350°C.
Kmetics vs thermodvnarmcs.
stage reaction is proposed for pyrene hydrogenation:
Stage 1.400'C and 20 minutes reaction time.
Stage 2. 350'C and reaction time set for the desired conversion.
Dehydrogenation of hydropyrenes.
Figure 6 show the dehydrogenation product distributions of dihydropyrene,
tetrahydropyrene and hexahydropyrene. It can be seen that dehydrogenation is rapid and complete
at 450'C. At the lower temperatures, dehydrogenation is slower and complete dehydrogenation to
pyrene is not seen in the 30 minutes reaction used in this study.
Comparisons between naphthalene ind pyrene
as ring size increases, enthalpy of reaction increases and activation energy decreases.
Future Work
The work will be expanded to include 3-ring systems and other 4-ring compounds. When
the parameters are calculated for these compounds and plotted vs ring size, molecular weight etc.,
it should be possible to make predictions as to how other compounds behave under
hydrogenating/dehydrogenating conditions. Ideal temperature strategies will be estimated from the
product distribution curves and compared for the different compounds.
References
1. Burgess, C. PhD Thesis 1994, Pennsylvania State University.
2. Girgis, M. J. and Gates, B. C. Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 1991, 30, 2021.
3. Song, C. and Hatcher, P. G. Prepr. Pap.- Am. Chem. SOC., Div. Pet. Chem. 1992.37,
529.
4. Song, C., Ono, T. and Nomura, M. Bull. Chem. SOC. Jpn. 1989,62, 680.
5. Song, C., Schobert, H. H..Matsui. H., Prep. Pap.- ACS, Div. Fuel. Chem.. 1991,
36(4), 1892.
6. Dutta, R., BSc Thesis. 1991, Nottingham Polytechnic.
7. Tomic, J., PhD Thesis. 1993, Pennsylvania State University.
8. Frye, C. G. J. Chem. Eng. Data. 1962, 7, 592.
9. Frye, C. G. and Weitkamp. A. W. J. Chem. Eng. Data. 1969,14, 372.
10. Johnston, K. P. Fuel.1984, 63, 463.
Table 1. Kinetic and thermodynamic parameters for naphthalene and pyrene hydrogenation
. .
The same arguments apply for pyrene as they did for naphthalene. A reverse temperature
Table 1 shows a comparison of the parameters for the two compounds. It can be seen that
IK~ ~p ~p Umin-1 k/min-l Wmin-1 AH z.; 350C 400C 45OC 35OC 4OOC 45OC kcdmol kcdmol
Naphthalene 0.0045 0.00037 0.00027 kf 0.0059 kf 0.0150 kf 0.0301 -32
kr 0.0027 kr 0.0125 kr 0.0194
kr 0.0100 kr 0.0342 kr 0,1103
Ppne 0.0078 0.0058 0.0038 kf 0.0088 kf 0.0139 kf0.0187 -6.4 6.8
952
80
70
60
50
@' 40 30
20
IO
0
0 50 100 150 200
timelmin
Figure I . Naphthalene-tetralin product distribution vs time
100
60
5 1:
0
--8- naphthalene ! 99 %) and it was used without further purification.
Model compound reactions
A reactor with a capacity of 33 mL was loaded with ca. 0.25 g NMBB, 1 wt % catalyst
Precursor (1 wt % Mo based on NMBB) and 0.14 g solvent (tridecane). When water was added,
the molar ratio of H20 to NMBB was 10, corresponding to a wt ratio of HzOMMBB of 0.56. The
reactor was purged three times with H2 and then pressurized with 6.9,MPa H2 at room temperature
for all experiments. A preheated fluidized sand bath was used as the heating source and the
horizontal tubing bomb reactor was vertically agitated to provide mixing (about 240 strokedmin).
After the reaction the hot tubing bomb was quenched in cold water. The liquid contents were
washed with 15 ml CHCIj through a low speed filter paper for qualitative and quantitative GC
analysis of the filtrate. All runs were carried out at least twice to confirm reproducibility. When
sulfur was added, the atomic ratio of S:Mo was 4:l.
The products were identified by GC-MS using a Hewlett-Packard 5890 IJ GC coupled with a
HP 5971A mass-selective detector operating at electron impact mode (EI, 70 eV). The column used
for GC-MS was a J&W DB-17 column; 30-m X 0.25-mm. coated with 50 % phenyl 50 % rnethylpolysiloxane
with a coating film thickness of 0.25 fim. For quantification, a HP 5890 I1 GC with
flame ionization detector and the same type of column (DB-17) was used. Both GC and GC-MS
were temperature programmed from 40 to 280 "C at a heating rate of 4 "Chin and a final holding
time of 15 min. The response factors for 10 of the products were determined using pure
compounds. More experimental details may be found elsewhere (8).
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
NMBB Reaction at 350 "C
Effect of Precursor Type and S Addition
Table 1 presents the results of non-catalytic and catalytic runs of NMBB with dispersed
catalysts at 350 "C. NMBB is essentially inert at 350 "C under H2 pressure in a non-catalytic run.
A'ITM showed remarkable catalytic effect on NMBB conversion at 1 wt % Mo loading. The main
products are 4-methylbibenzyl (4-MBB) and naphthalene, which were formed from cleavage of
bond a in NMBB. It is clear that the molybdenum sulfide in situ generated from AlTM at 350 "C is
catalytically active, and can promote the cleavage of C-C bond a in NMBB. A?TM decomposition
also generates extra sulfur. However, our results in Table I shows that adding sulfur alone, or HzO
alone, had little effect on NMBB conversion.
The material in situ generated from Mo(C0)6 at 350 'C acted as a hydrogenation catalyst. The
dominant product with Mo(CO)~is tetrahydro-NMBB (TH-NMBB). Sulfur addition to Mo(CO)6
increased NMBB conversion significantly, from 50.8 to 94.3 %. Adding sulfur also changed the
product distribution pattern. The major products with Mo(C0)6 + S are 4-MBB and naphthalene
arising from cleavage of bond a. The mn with Mo(CO)6 + S also produced considerable amounts of
bibenzyl and methylnaphthalene, probably via cleavage of bond b in NMBB.
Figure 1 compares the product distribution for runs at 350 "C. An interesting result was found
in the run with Mo(CO)6 at 350 "C. Most of the total conversion of 50.8 % can be attributed to the
formation of TH-NMBB derivatives (45.5 mol %). This finding suggests that under low severity
reaction conditions the initial step in hydrocracking of NMBB is the addition of hydrogen. Several
TH-NMBB derivatives (MW 326) can be detected in the GC-MS analysis, indicating hydrogenation
of different aromatic moieties in the model compound. At elevated temperatures activated Mo(CO)6
cleaves NMBB completely; no more TH-NMBB derivatives can be detected, as described later.
Effect of HzO Addition
The addition of H20 to AmM enhanced NMBB conversion and increased the yields of 4-
MBB and naphthalene. Therefore, the co-use of ATTM and water appears to be beneficial for
NMBB hydrocracking at 350 "C. However, adding H20 to Mo(CO)6 decreased NMBB conversion
to the level close to a non-catalytic run. This indicates that added H20 either inhibited the formation
of a catalytically active phase or passivated the active sites on the surface of the active phase or
reacted to form some kind of catalytically inactive material. However, adding HzO to Mo(CO)~k s
system did not have significant effects on NMBB conversion or product distribution.
It is interesting to note that H20 addition to the catalytic runs with either ATTM or Mo(C0)6 +
S system did not alter the product distribution pattern, suggesting that the added water did not alter
the reaction pathways in these cases.
NMBB Reaction at 400 "C
Table 2 shows the results for non-catalytic and catalytic runs of NMBB at 400 "C. NMBB is
not very reactive in a non-catalytic run at 400 "C under H2 pressure, as its conversion is below 4 %.
sulfur, however, began to show catalytic effect when the temperature is increased from 350 to 400
"C.
Both ATTM and Mo(C0)6 afforded higher conversion of NMBB at 400 OC than the
corresponding runs at 350 "C. ATTM alone is a more effective catalyst precursor than MO(CO)~
done, in terms of higher NMBB conversion (93.0 vs. 79.6 %). Addition of water to A n M in the
mn at 400 "C, however, had negative impact on NMBB conversion. These results are consistent
.
969
with those for catalytic hydroliquefaction of coal, where H20 addition had a strong promoting effect
for mns at 350 "C, but inhibiting effect for runs at 400 "C (6).
It appears from our results that water has two opposing effects on NMBB conversion at 350
and 4M) "C. Possibility exists that the ratio of water to catalyst is also influential. Farcasiu et al. (9)
reported that NMBB cleavage at 420-430 "C with various dried iron oxide precursors were different
from rehumidified catalysts. Addition of small quantities of water increases, to some extent, the
catalytic activity. Completely rehumidified iron oxides showed very low catalytic activity compared
to partially hydrated iron oxide. The activity of the system as an acidic catalyst is destroyed by larger
amounts of water (longer rehumidification time).
Figure 2 further compares the product distribution for runs at 400 "C. For the runs with
ARM and ATTM+H20,4-MBB and naphthalene are the major products. In the case of Mo(CO)6,
the yield of tetralin is higher than that of naphthalene. Apparently, the activity and selectivity of a
dispersed Mo catalyst for NMBB hydrocracking depends on the catalyst precursor type and reaction
conditions. Since it is the precursor that was charged into the reactor, an activation into catalyst is
involved during the heat up and the subsequent reaction.
It is known (3.5.10) that the S-free catalyst precursors like metal carbonyls require the
addition of sulfur for sufficient activity in coal liquefaction; activation of A'ITM into the catalytically
active species (close in composition to MoS2) occurs at a temperature of 2325-350 "C. This
temperature range was used in our model reactions. Sulfur addition to Mo(CO)6 generates MoS2
after high temperature activation. The resulting product distribution at 350 OC is very similar to runs
with A'ITM (Table 1). We assume that the active catalytic species is similar to that from ATTM.
Unlike ATTM, the organometallic complex Mo(CO)6 decomposes at much lower temperatures. The
active catalyst particles will be readily available under the conditions employed. This may rationalize
why the NMBB conversion is higher with Mo(CO)6 than with ATTM at 350 "C. However, for runs
at 400 "C, the NMBB conversions with A'ITM and Mo(CO)6 are similar to each other (8).
With respect to the effect of the catalyst loading level, we have reported some results on
NMBB hydrocracking over dispersed catalysts at 2.11 wt % metal loading (8). Decreasing Mo
loading level from 2.11 wt % to 1 wt % (this work) did not have negative impacts on NMBB
conversion with ATTM, but caused some changes in product distribution from NMBB with
Mo(C0)6.
CONCLUSIONS
Dispersed fine particles in situ generated from either water-soluble precursors such as A'ITM
. or oil-soluble precursors such as Mo(CO)6, can he effective Mo catalysts for promoting the cleavage
of certain C-C bonds such as bond p in NMBB at 350-400 "C. When the sulfur-free precursor is
used, adding sulfur helps to improve catalytic activity, particularly hydrocracking activity. When
ATTM is used at low temperature (350 "C), adding water seems to be beneficial in improving
NMBB conversion.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
We wish to thank Dr. H. Schobert for his encouragement and support. This project was
supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Pittsburgh Energy Technology Center under contract
DE-AC22-92PC92122. We are grateful to Dr. U. Rao of PETC for his support. We also thank Mr.
R. Copenhaver for the fabrication of reactors.
REFERENCES
1. Bergius, F. and Billiviller, J. German Patent No. 301.231, Coal Liquefaction hocess, 1919.
2. Mochida, I. and Sakanishi, K. Advances in Catalysis, 40, 1994, 39-85.
3. a) Artok, L.; Davis, A.; Mitchell, G. D.and Schobert, H. H. Energy & Fuels, 1993,7, 67-
17.
b) Garg, D. and Givens, E. N. Fuel Process. Technol., 8,1984. 123-34.
4. a) Hirschon, A. S.; Wilson Jr., R. B. Cod Science II , ACS Sym. Ser., 1991, 273-83.
b) Hirschon, A. S.; Wilson Jr., R. B. Fuel, 71,1992, 1025-31.
5. a) 0. Ymada, T. Suzuki, J. Then, T. Ando and Y. Watanabe, Fuel Process. Technol., 11,
1985, 297- 311.
b) T. Suzuki, T. Ando and Y. Watanabe, Energy & Fuels, 1,1987, 299-300.
c) S. Weller, Energy Fuels, 8 , 1994, 415-420.
6. Song, C. and Saini, A. K. Energy & Fuels, 9,1995, 188-9.
7. a) Bockrath, B. C.; Finseth, D. H. and Illig, E. G. Fuel Process. Technol., 12, 1986, 175.
b) Ruether, J. A.; Mima, J. A.; Koronsky, R. M. and Ha, B. C. Energy & Fuels, 1,1987,
198.
C) KhYa. y.; Nobusawa. T. and Futamura, S. Fuel Process. Technol., 18, 1988, 1.
8. a) Schmidt, E. and Song, C. Prepr. Pap. - Am. Chem. Soc.. Div. Fuel Chem., 35,1994
733-737.
970
b) Song, C.; Schmidt, E. and Schobert, H. H. DOE Coal Liquefaction and Gas Conversion,
Contractors' Review Meeting in Pittsburgh, (September 1-8, 1994), 593-604.
9. Farcasiu, M.; Smith, C.; Pradhan, V. R. and Wender, I. Fuel Processing Technology, 29,
10. a) Song, C., Parfitt, D.S.; and Schobert, H.H., Energy & Fuels, 8,1994, 313-9.
a) Song, C.; Nomura, M. and Miyake Fuel, 65,1986, 922-6.
C) Song, C.; Nomura, M. and Ono, T. Prepr. Pap. - Am. Chem. SOC. Diu. Fuel Chem.,
1991, 199-208.
36(2), 1991, 586-96.
Table 1: Effect of S and H2O on hydrocracking of NMBB at 350 "C.
aMethyltetrahydronaphthalene. *when S was added, the atomic ratio S:Mo was 4: 1.
Table 2: Effect of Mo-based catalyst precursors on hydrocracking reactions of NMBB at 400 "C.
aMethylteWahydronaphthalene, *when S was added, the atomic ratio S:Mo was 4 1.
971
Runs at 350 "C with added H20
Figure 1. Effect of S and water on hydrocracking of NMBB
Runs at 400 'C
m y . 100 .E ATTY.HIO. 400 .c Y ~ I E O ~4.0 0 .c
Figure 2: Effect of Mo-based catalysts on hydrocracking of NMBB.
972
CATALYTIC CONVERSION OF POLYCYCLIC AROMA'ITC HYDROCARBONS:
BASED CATALYST TO ALKYLARENES.
Tom Autrey, John C Linehan, Donald M Camaioni, Tess R Powers,
Eric F McMillan and James A Franz
Pacific Northwest Laboratory, P.O. Box 999, RichIan4 WA 99352 USA
MECHANISTIC INVESTIGATIONS OF HYJlROGEN TRANSFER FROM Ah' IRONKey
Words. Catalysis, mechanism, hydrogen transfer
Mnduction.
model compounds has been demonstrated to increase the efficiency of liquefaction during
the early stages of catalytic coal hydrokatment.' Despite numerous model compound
studies, the mechanism of "liquefaction" remains controvemid. Wei and c o w ~ r k m ~ ~ ~
pmposed a hydrogen atom - ipso displacement pathway, however, this pathway alone cannot
explain the observed selectivity! Farcasiu and co-w0rkers7 p p s e d a mechanism in which
the alkyl-arene moiety is activated to undergo bond scission by electron transfer to the
catalyst. However, a key step in this pathway, unimolecular scission of the radical cation,
has been argued to be kinetically and thmcdymmcally unfavorable?
We recently reprted a beneficial charactaistic of the FdS cataly* generated in
situ by the reaction of sulfur with iron oxyhydroxides produced by the RTDS process:
scission of strong carbon-carbon bo& withotd addition of hydi.ogen g a and with minimum
fonnarion of light gaws?9 We investigated a series of mom, di-, and
trimethyldiphenylmethanes and found tha! in all cases the benzyl group is prefmtially
displaced. We proposed a variant of the Farcasiu mechanism' in which a hydrogen atom is
transferred to the ipso position of the radical cation, which then scissions a benzyl cation.
Back electron transfer h m the reduced catalyst surface to the benzyl cation would give the
benzyl radical! We refer to this radical ion mechanism as "ET/H"'. The mechanism is
consistent with (1) the pmpsed redox properties of the cataly*' (2) the obmed
"dealkylation" selectivity, benzyl >> methyl, and (3) the low yield of tmndkylation
products.
Recent examination of the structure - reactivity relationships for the methylated
diphenylmethanes shows the rate of catalytioinduced bond scission correlates not only with
the ease of m e ox idation but also comlates with the stability of the ipso radical adduct.'!'
To accOmmOdate the observed selectivity for benzyl scission >> methyl scission by a radical
pathway, we propsed a reversible hydrogen atom transfer between the catalyst surface and
the arenes, in which case, the rate of back hydrogen transfer h m th e ipso and nonipso
adducts must be fast co@ to scission of methyl radical.
between the ETm radical ion pathway and the reversible hydrogen atom transfer pathway.
Experimental.
catalyst p m o r . " 9,lO- dihydrophenanthme (DHP), xanthene, and ohyhydiphenylrnethane
were purchased hm Aldrich. The DHP was distilled and
recrystallized h m methanolldichlomethane. 1,2ditolylethanol was available h m a
previous study.12 o- and p benzyldiphenyl ether were prepared by the same methd used
for our synthesis of the alkyldiphenylrnethanesmethanes.'T)h e isomers were separated on a
chromotron@ eluting with pentane.
the sulfur (3 mg), and the DHP solvent (100 mg) were loaded into the glass tubes and
sealed under vacuum. The thermolysis was canid out in sealed 5-nun 0.d. borosilicate
glass tubes immersed in a fluid& sand bath regulated at 400°C for 1 h. The Gc and
Gc/us analysis were carried out as described previously."
Results and Discussion.
Given the parallel shucture - reactivity trends for ion, radical, and radical-ion
intermediates in the alkylarene series previously examined, we prepared a new series of
model compunds to discriminate between the ion, radical, and radical ion hydrogen transfer
pathwayj. A comparison of diphenyl ether analogs with our diphenylmethane model
compounds was suggested as an approach to obtain insight into the proposed multi-step
ETJHA mfer step or a free radical @way.14 The cation formed by ipso addition of Hatom
to the radical cation of diphenyl ether (DPE) was suggested to be more resistant to
bond scission than the analogous cation obtained h m diphenylmethane @PM) beoluse of
the differences in the stability of the leaving pup, PhO(+) << PhCH2(+), while the
The utility of iron-based nanophase catalysts in the liquefaction of coal and coal
In the present study, we designed and prepared model compounds to differentiate
Matedals. All catalytic experiments used the RTDS-prepared, &line fenihydrite
~ S t d k sThe. m odel wmropound (1 5 mg), the &line fmihydrite (3 rng),
973
opposite selectivity was predicted for a radical @way, PhO-, > PhCH2-. U n f ~ w l y ,
while the pscission of a phenoxy cation h m DPE is expected to be significantly slower
than the pscission of a benzyl cation hin DPM the first step, oxidation of the DPE, is
faster than oxidation of DPMI5 Thus, an "external" comparison of DPM and DPE
derivatives could complicate direct kinetic comparisons. To alleviate this conam, we used
model compounds that had both the PhG and PhCH2- substituents in a single molecule -
xanthone @A), pbenzyldiphenyl ether (PBDPE), and 0-benzyldiphenyl ether (oBDPE).
This approach avoids complications caused by diffktcnm in oxidation potential of
diphenylmethane and diphenyl ether and takes advantage of the selectivity differences
between scission of PhO* and PhCHz*.16 Thus, the appearance of PhCH,Ph would be
consistent with a &n-oxygen (PhCH2Ph-OPh) ike radical bond scission pathway, and
the appearance of PhOPh would be consistent with an appanmt carbon-carbon (PhCHz-
PhOPh) cationic bond scission pathway.
starting material in 60 minutes with the formation of DPM, DPE, toluene and phenol. The
ratio of DPmPE (Le. &n-oxygd&n-wrbon bond scission) is 8:l.
This mult offers significant insight into the mechanism of catalytioinduced bond
scission. The selectivity of the 8: 1 ratio for scission of benzyl over phenoxy radical h m
pBDPE is significantly less than expected for pscission of PhCH2(+) over PhO(+)."
Therefore, we have considerably less confidence with the involvement of a cationic
intermdate formed either by acidic proton transfer or multi-step ET/HA pathways for
promoting bond scission. What is interesting about these results is that the selectivity is the
oppsite of the relative stabilities of the benzyl and phenoxy radicals. TherefOK bond
cleavage must not be the rate-limiting step for reaction of this molecule. Ihe selectivity is
consistent with ratelimiting formation of the ipso adducts. The stability of the ipso adduct,
(a), leading to formation of DPE and the benzyl radical is 3 Q kcallmolls more stable than
the ipso adduct, (b), leading to formation of DPM and the phenoxy radical (Scheme 1).
Thermolysis of oBDPE under the same d o n co nditions again yields DPM, DPE,
toluene and phenol, however, the ratio of DPIWDPE is 1:l. The apparent lower selectivity
observed h m the catalytic thermolysis of oBDPE could be due to a competing neophyl-lie
phenyl migration, 1,5 addition, in Scheme 2. These Arl-5 radical reanrtngements are horn
to occur,19e specially whcn heteroatom termini are involved.m21 Tautormerization of the
phenol, followed by unimolecular scission,n can yield diphenylmethane by an alternative
pathway.
phenylxanthene - formed fiom addition of the diphenylmethyl radical to the ortbposition,
1,6 addition, followed by disproportionation-is detected in the thermolysis of oBDPE. This
provides further evidence for the presence of the precursor to the neophyl rearrangement
pathway under the reaction conditions."
'Ihermolysis of xanthene under the same catalytic reaction conditions yields little
bond scission &er 60 minutes, no detectable 2-methyldiphenyl ether, and only traces of 2-
bond scission products, toluene and phenol. Here, the absence of significant quantities of
scission products in the xanthene thermolysis is probably due to competing reversible
reactions that regenerate the starting material. Because the leaving group is "attached," little
bond scission is observed.
ynimolecular S s i s i ~ ~ QEafrly ~mec~han.isti c studies demonstrated the
preference for catalytic-induced scission of diqhethane l i g e s over the thermally labile
bibenzylic linkages in 4(l-naphthylrnethyl)bibenzyl (NMBB). Farcasiu and coworkers
invoked single electron oxidation of the m e fo llowed by a unimolecular scission to yield
naphthalene and Cmethylbibenzyl (referred to as -A- bond cleavage).' However, the
observed selectivity is the opposite of that expected based on reactions in solution or
reactions in the gas phase based upon Sagmentation reactions of the NMBB radical cation
in a mass spectr0meer.S Almost as surprising as radical cation cleavage at the
diarylmethane -A- bond is the suggestion that the positive charge is carried on the naphthyl
not the benzyl group, given the difference between stabilization of benzylic cation
and a benzylic radical. To favor -A- bond scission over -D bond scission, the catalyst
must uniquely stabilize the naphthyl cation and/or destabilize the benzyl cation. This novel
unirnolecular scission pathway is reported to be suppotted by atom superposition and
electron delocalization molecular orbital (ASEDMO) methcds, however, AM1 and MNW
theoretical methods indicate cleavage of the -D bond is favored25
cation dissociation mechanism. Although the bond dissociation energy @DE) for bibenzyl
radical cation, at about 30 kdrnol, is substantially weaker than the bibenzyl bond we
expect that -D bond scission in the NMBB radical cation will be a minimum of 40
kdmol, given that oxidation of I-methylnaphthalene is ca 10 kcaVmol more favorable
than oxidation of pxylene, and comatively assuming no barrier for the ET process that
Thermolysis of pBDPE in DHP- FdS at 400 "C leads to ca 70% consumption of the
The expected side product h m this radical reanangement pathway, 9-
NMBB probably is not the best model compound to test the unimolecular radical
974
I
genaates the radical cation. A bania of this magnitude probably cannot compete with
bn~lecularr eactions of the radical cation or alternative fke radical pathways, scheme 3. A
more judicious choice of model cornpmds, for example one with a much lower radical
cation BDE, could provide support for the proposed electrun transfer pathway if the bond
were hken more rapidly than purely thermal pathways allow.
~phenylethanol radical cation has a BDE of 15 kdmol and therefore is expeckd to
dissociate ca. 8 orders of magnitude faster than the NMBB radical cation at 400°C, and will
be more likely to compete with other pathways. Thennolysis of D E in DHP for 60
minutes at 400°C mlts in ca 5Wh conversion to yield 4,4'-pdimethylbibenql, pxylene,
4-methylbenzylalcohol, 4-methylbenzaldehyde and a tlace of toluene. The mtio of toluene
topxylene is 1:25. The 4,4'-pdiiethylbibenzyl is formed by a reduction pathway that
competes with unimolecular scission. Since the 4,4'-pdmethylbibenzyI is thermally stable
under the reacton conditions, the xylene is predominately formed h m unimolecular thermal
scission of the starting material.
. Thermolysis of D E in DHP containing the FdS catalyst for 60 &Utes at 400°C
results in complete conversion to yield 4,4'-pdimethylbibenzyI, pxylene, and toluene. The
pxylene is most likely formed fiom the thermal background and reduction of the alcohol
and aldehyde since no oxygen-wntaining products are detected. The most significant
finding is the ratio of toluene to p q l e n e has i n d to 1: 1. The presence of the FdS
catalyst pathway apparently increases the yield of toluene! Toluene is not a product
expected hm single electron oxidation of the diphenylethan~l.'~ The formation of toluene
under the catalytic conditions is more rationally explained by an ipso hydrogen displacement
pathway. Hydrogen atom addition to the phenyl ring a- to the hydroxy group leads to the
pscission of a stabilized ketyl radid. As we have previously dosaved efficiency of bond
scission is strongly dependent on the stability leaving group."
If the radical cation of DTE was formed under the reaction conditions, instantanenus
unimolecular scission of the bibenzylic bond would have occurred to yield pxylene as the
major product. While we are convinced DTE is an improved probe molecule for
investigaiing the radical ion pathway, we would l i e to investigate betta models, e.g. the
methyl ether of DE, that are not expected to be reduced under the reaction conditions. We
are confident that electron transfer f?om the akylarenc to the catalytic surface does not
occur, otherwise we would have observed much higher yields of xylene. Admittedly,
oxidation of this xylene derivative will be more endergonic than oxidation of the naphthyl
moiety in NMBB, however, the selective catalytic pathways seem to operate even for Single
ring model compounds.69 We cannot guess what the ASEDMO methods would lind for
single electron txansfer cleavage pathways of DE, but experiment^'^ and AM1
calculations26 suggest highly efficient bibmzylic bond scission.
Summary and Conclusions.
lhe results of our model compund studies suggest that fiee radical hydrogen
transfer pathways h m the catalyst to the akylarene are responsible for the scission of
strong carbonsarbon bonds. mere are two requisites for the abed selective bond
scission. First, and most importantly is the stability of the ipso adduct precursor leading to
displacement, the more stable the adduct the more probable bond scission. 'Ihis explains
why benzyl radical displacement > phenoxy radical displacement in benzyldiphenyl ether
and explains why PhCH2CH2PhCH2ra dical > naphthylmethyl radical h m N MBB. Second,
given "equal" ipso adduct precursor stabilities, e.g. methyldiphenylmethane, the stability of
the departing radical determines the selectivity. This explains benzyl radical > methyl
radical in the methylated diphenylmethanes and explains why a-hydroxyphenethyl radical >
methyl radical in 1,2ditolylethanol.
We have assumed little physical interaction between the molecules and the catalytic
surface and have been able to satisfactorily explain most of the observed selectivity.
However, for IWBB we expect a higher selectivity for -A- bond scission relative to -5
bond scission, given the ca 6 kdmol Merence between the radical adduct formd by the
hydrogen atom addition to 1-methylnaphthalene and pxylenc. It is possible that physical
properties play a role in lowering the selectivity in NMBB bond scission. Also, we realize
that catalysts p r e p a r e d by other methods may contain different activity sites and operate by
different mechanisms.
We used 1,2-pditolylethanol (DE)as a probe for the electron transfer mechanism
I
915
Acknowledgment
This work was supported by the US. Department of Energy, office of Basic hergy
Research Chemical Sciences Division, Prccm and Techniques Branch. The work was
conducted at Pacific Northwest LaboratoIy, which is operated by Battelle Memorial InstiMe
for the U. S. Department of Energv under Contract DEACO6-76Ru) 1830. We thank Dean
Matson for OUT supply of the worlds best catalytic precu~sors. Support for TRP and EFM
was provided h u & AWU-NW under grant DE-FGO6-89ER-75522 with the U.S.
Department of herpy.
Glossary of Acronyms.
BDE bond dissociation enera
RTDS
DHP 9,l O-diiydmphenanhe
pBDPE pbenzyldiphenyl ether
oBDPE ebenzyldiphenyl ether
DPM diphenylmethane
DPE diphenyl ether
DTE 1,2ditolylethanol
NMBB 4-( 1 -naphthylmethy 1)bi~enzyl
References and Notes.
Rapid T h d Decomposition of precursOrs in Solution
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
See the first 21 papas in Energv & Fuels, 1994,1, and references thmin.
We, X-Y, Ogata, E., Niki, E., BUN Chem &e. Jm 1992, 65, 1 114.
Wei, X-Y, Ogata, E., Nib, E., Chemistry Letters, 1991,2199.
Wei, X-Y, Ogata, E., Zong, EM, Niki, E. Energy Fuels 19!?2,6, 868.
Wei, X-Y, Zong, SM, Energy Fuels 1992, 6,236.
F r a q J.A.;C amaioni, D. M; Alnajjar, M S.; Autrey, T.; Lmehm, J. C. Am Chem
Soc, Dv Fuel Chem Preprints, 1995,40(2) 203. Anaheim, Ck
Farcasiu, M; Smith, C.; pradhan, V. R; Wader, I. FuelPrm. Tech. 1991,29, 199.
L m e h J. C.; Matson, D. W.; Darab, J. G.; Autrey, S. T.; Franz, J. A; Camaioni
D. M Am Chem Soc, Div Fuel Chem Preprints, 1994,39(3) 720. Washington D. C.
Autrey, T.; Camaioni, D. M; Lmehm, J. C.; Wartob, H. W.; Franz, J. A. in
preparation. To be submitted to Enersy Fuels.
Matson, D. W.; Linehan, J. C.; lhab, J. G.; Budder, M F. Energv Fuels 1994, 8,
10.
Camaioni, D. M; Franz, J. A. 1 Org Chem. 1984,49, 1607.
See reference 9 for general preparation. A few drops of sulfiuic acid was added to a
solution of diphenylether and benzyl alcohol in methylene chloride. The reaction
was stirred at room temperature for 24 h. Distillation under vacuum yielded both the
ortho and para isomers.
McMillen, D. M; Malhotra, R Am Chem Soc, Dlv Fuel Chem Preprints, 1995,
4q2) 221. Anaheim, CA.
IP of DPE (8.09eV) DPM(8.55eV) Lias, S. G.; Bartmass, J. E.; Liebman, J. L.;
Holmes,J.L.;Levin,RD.;Mallard,W.G.JChemP~s.Ref:Data,1988,17,
suppl. * designates either radical or radical ion.
Personal communication with Ripu Malho@ the difference in appearence potentid
for oxidation of PhO* -> PhO(+) and PhCHp -> PhCH,(+) is ca. 34 kcal/mol.
Assuming a ABDE PhGH and PhCH,-H of 3-4 kcaVmol this predicts a selectivity of
several ordm of magnitude even at 400°C.
McMillen, D. F.; Golden, D. M. Ann Rev. Phys. Cheq 1982, 33, 493.
Wmtein, S.; Heck, R; Lappork, S.; Baird, R Eprientiu, 1956, 12, 138.
Kochi, J. K;Gilliom., R D. 1 Am Chem Soc. 1964,86, 5251.
DeTar, D. F.; Hlynsky, A. 1 Am Chem Soc. 1955, 77,4411.
McMillen, D. F.; Ogier, W. C.; Ross, D. S. 1 @. Chem 1981,46, 3322.
Thermolysis of o-bismethyldiphenyl ether appearj to give *xylene under the
catalytic conditions. This product can only come &om a Ar,-CS neophyl
rearrangement.
Frgatnentation of NMBB by 70 eV electron impact in a mass spectrometer leads to a
Sagmentation pattern that has the charge on the -Db ond scission pmdua.~n, o
charge is detectable on the naphthalene hgment: MS m/z 322 (kft, 50); 231(100);
215 (40); 127 (0); 91 (15).
Ada, H. F., C~mPanion, L. Subbaswamy, K. R Energv Fuels 1994, 8, 71.
Camaioni, D. M1 Am Chem Soc. 1990, 112,9475.
P w J. H; J-h. Energv Fuels 1994, 8, 421.
976
I
\
4
I
J
f
Scheme 1
Ph d 0 \ P h - PhnPh + PhO'
@)
Scheme 2 QfJJ-m \ \
Ph Ph t 1.6 addition
Ph bh
I bh Ph I
Do DH .,,Ph L
Ph Ph
Scheme 3
NapAPh -
* L P h ~ J ~ ~ ~ ~ L : T \ c'a Nt a aly p sC A P L p h
-D- bond scission
*CHfPh
1 ? j -A- bond scission
competing 'I
pathway
C WPh
NapnTh
cn,t
Naphthalene + I
*CH2\ph
Naphthalene
977
EFFECT OF MODIFIER Pd METAL ON HYDROCRACKING OF POLYAROMATIC
COMPOUNDS OVER Ni-LOADED Y-TYPE ZEOLITE AND ITS APPLICATION AS
HYDRODESULFURIZATION CATALYSTS
Takema Wada, Satoru Murata, and Masakatsu Nomura,
Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering, Osaka University,
2-1 Yamada-aka, Suita, Osaka 565, Japan
Keywords: hydrocracking, hydrodesulfurization, metal-supported zeolite catalyst
INTRODUCTION
Coal tar obtained from coal carbonization is a treasure of polyaromatic hydrocarbans, where more
than 400 kinds of aromatic compounds are found to be contained. Naphthalene’s content in coal tar
is about 9.0 %, being used as starting materials for phthalic anhydride, dye staff, pharmaceutical
products and synthetic resins. On the other hands, phenanthrene and pyrene are contained in the
yield of 5.0 % and 2.1 %, respectively, being used only for production of carbon black and antiseptics
of timbers. Application of these three or four ring aromatic compounds for stating materials of fine
chemicals is not yet developed so extensively. The development of new catalysts being able to
convert these aromatics into mono or diaromatic compounds is one of objectives for utilization of
polyaromatics. Hydrocracking of polyaromatic compounds is believed to proceedvia formation of
terminal-naphthenic ring of starting aromatic compounds, followed by cleavage of the naphthenic
ring to produce alkylated aromatic compounds which has less numbers of ring than starting aromatics.
Accordingly, hydrogenation of aromatic rings and cracking of resulting naphthenic rings are key
steps of hydrocracking reaction, so that dual functional catalysts such as metal-supported acid catalysts
are considered to be one of the best catalysts!-2 Zeolite has controlled pore structures and strong
acidity enough to crack naphthenic rings, being characteristics in exchanging metal species with
ease. We have been studying the hydrocracking of polyaromatic compounds over Ni-loaded zeolite
catalysts (ZSM-5, mordenite, and Y-type) and found the fact that pore size of zeolite exerts an
interesting effect on product distribution? We also conducted computer-simulation for diffusion
phenomena of the polyaromatic hydrocarbons in the pore of these zeolites and found that diffusion
ability of the substrate affects strongly the product distribution! Recently we found that modifying
of Ni-loaded Y-type zeolite by Pd-loading enhanced hydrocracking ability of the catalyst. In this
report, we would like to refer to the results of both hydrocracking reaction of pyrene and
hydrodesulfurization of dibenzothiophene using Pd-modified Ni-loaded Y-type zeolite.
Experimental Section
heoaration of metal-SUDDOrted zeolites
The NH,-substituted Y-type zeolite (50 g) was stirred in 1000 ml of aqueous solution of Ni(NOJ,
(0.25 M) at 90°C for 96 h, then being filtered and dried at 1 10°C to obtain the nickel cation substituted
zeolites. As to the Pd supported one, NH,-substituted Y-type zeolite (15 g) was treated in aqueous
solution (200 ml) of [Pd(NHJ,](NO,), (0.025 M) at 40 “C for 24 h. As to Ni-Pd-Y catalysts, NH,-
substituted Y-type zeolite was treated with aqueous [Pd(NHJ,](NO,), solution, followed by aqueous
Ni(NO,), solution. The resulting cation exchanged zeolites were calcined in a stream of air at 500°C
for4 h, being submitted to the reduction with \atmosphere at 450 “C for 1 h. The content of nickel
and palladium in each zeolite was determined by using a Rigaku Denki System 3270 type fluorescence
X-ray analyzer, this being summarized in Table 1.
Hydrotreatment of pvrene or dibenzothiophene
The substrate (I g) and the catalyst (0.5 g) were placed in a 70 ml SUS 316 autoclave, which were
pressurized to 70 kg/cm2 with hydrogen, being followed by heating up to 350°C with the rate of 8 “C
/ min. Reaction time is the duration being kept at 350°C. After the gaseous product was collected, its
aliquot was submitted to GC analysis with a Shimadzu GC-3BT (active carbon column. 2 m) and a
Shimadzu GC-8AIT (silica gel column, 60/80 mesh, 3 m). The liquid product was recovered by
washing the inside of the autoclave with CYCI,. According to the analysis by a JEOL JMS-DX-
303HF type GC-MS, components of liquid products were assigned, their quantitative analyses being
conducted by a Shimadzu GC-14APFSC (CBP-I capirary column, f 0.5 mm x 25 m). The carbon
deposited on the catalyst was calculated based on the microanalysis of the recovered catalyst.
Results and Discussion
Hvdrocrdcking reaction of ovrene
In a previous study, we conducted hydrocracking reaction of phenanthrene and pyrene over three
978
\
/
J
I
different Ni-supported zeolite catalysts such as Ni-loaded ZSM-5, mordenite, and Y-type zeolite at
350°C for 1 h at 70 k&m2 of hydrogen and found that pore size of zeolites is controlling product
distribution. Conversion of the substrates depended also on the size of these zeolites. By the use of
Ni-loaded Y-type zeolite (Ni-Y) catalyst, phenanthrene was completely converted to gases and oneor
two-ring compounds, while in the case of pyrene both hydrogenated pyrene and unreacted one
Still remained in the product. This results could be interpreted by the fact that the pore size of Y-type
zeolite is larger than the molecular size of phenanthrene, however, it is somewhat smaller than that
Of pyrene. In order to improve the activity of Ni-Y catalyst, we examined modifying of Ni-Y catalyst
by loading second metal species.
We prepared Pd-modified Ni-Y (Ni-Pd-Y) catalyst by ion exchange of Nq-substituted Y-type zeolite
with aqueous [Pd(NH,),I2' solution followed by NiZ+s olution. Concentration of metal species on the
resulting zeolite is summarized in Table I . To examine catalytic activity of Pd metal itself, we also
prepared Pd-loaded Y-type (Pd-Y) zeolite. Using these three catalysts, hydrocracking of pyrene was
conducted in a 70 mL autoclave at 350°C for 1 h at 70 kg/cm2 of hydrogen, the results being shown
in Figure 1. In the presence of Pd-Y or Ni-Pd-Y catalyst, pyrene was completely converted to gases
(from methane to butane) and derivatives of benzene or cyclohexane, especially in the case using
Ni-Pd-Y catalyst, yield of gases reached to 70%. Amounts of carbon deposited on the catalyst were
9.1% for Ni-Y, 9.6% for Pd-Y, and 7.0% for Ni-Pd-Y catalyst. Figure 2 summarizes the distribution
of mono-ring compounds produced from hydrocracking of pyrene over three catalysts. In the case
using Ni-Y catalyst, the selective formation of each compound was not observed, while, the yield of
cyclohexanes was higher than that of bezenes in the case using Pd-Y and Ni-Pd-Y catalysts. No qand
C,-benzenes and C,-cyclohexanes was observed in products obtained from the reaction using
Ni-Pd-Y catalyst. These results indicated that activity of Ni-Pd-Y catalyst toward hydrogenation
and cracking reaction is the highest among three catalysts. This finding agrees well with the fact that
the ratio ofi-butane to n-butane (2.1) of gaseous products in the reaction using Ni-Pd-Y catalyst was
slightly higher than that (1.8) from the reaction using Ni-Y catalyst. This higher activity of Ni-Pd-Y
catalyst might be partly due to the decrease of carbon deposited on the catalyst, this often leading to
deactivation of the catalyst.
Effects of reaction temperature and duration on the extent of hydrocracking were also investigated,
the results being shown in Figure 3. In the reaction at 350°C for 0 min, 25% of pyrene was still
remained and main products were hydrogenated pyrenes (60%). With the reaction time being longer
than 30 min, no pyrene was recovered and gases and mono-ring compounds became main products.
In the reaction at lower temperature such as 325"c, conversion of pyrene was still higher than that in
the reaction using Ni-Y catalyst at 350°C. These results suggested that modifying of Ni-Y catalyst
by Pd can reduce the reaction temperature of hydrocracking of pyrene compared with Ni-Y catalyst.
-In a previous chapter, we found that modifying of Ni-Y catalyst by Pd-loading resulted in very high
activity for hydrogenation or hydrocracking of polyaromatic hydrocarbons. So, we tried to apply
this modified catalyst for hydrodesulfurization (HDS) of dibenzothiophene (DBT). HDS reaction of
DBT was conducted at 300°C for 1 h under 70 kglcm2 of H,. Figure 4 shows the product distribution
of HDS reaction by using Ni-Y and Ni-Pd-Y catalysts. In the case using Ni-Y catalyst, 15% of DBT
was recovered along with 12% yield of sulfur-containing compounds, while, using Ni-Pd-Y catalyst,
DBT was almost converted to gases and monoring compounds and no sulfur-containing compound
was observed in the liquid products. These results suggest that high activity of Ni-Pd-Y catalyst is
much more effective for HDS reaction. Now, we are conducting characterization of this active catalyst.
This work was supported by Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research No. 07242249 from the Ministry
of Education, Science and Culture, Japan.
4. REFERENCES
1)
2)
3)
4)
Hayes Jr., H. W.; Parcher, J. F.; Halmer, N. E. Ind. Eng. Chem. Process Des. Dev., 1983.22,
401.
Lapinas, A. T.; Klein, M. T.; Gates, B. C.; Macris. A.; Lyons, J. E./&. Eng. Chem. Res., 1987,
26, 1026.
Matsui, H.; Akagi, K.; Murata, S.; Nomura, M.J. Jpn. Petrol. Insr., in confribution.
Matsui, H.; Akagi, K.; Murata. S.; Nomura, M. Energy Fuels, in press.
919
Table 1. The catalyst employed in this study
Contents (wt%)
Ni Pd
Ni-Y 5.5 -
Ni-Pd-Y 3.3 3.6
Pd-Y - 3.7
naphthalenes
and tetralins hydrogenated
Ni-Y
Pd-Y
Ni-Pd-Y
0 20 40 60 80 100
Yield (wt%)
Figure 1. Hydrocracking of pyrene over metal-suppotted Y-type zeolites at
350 OC for 1 h
Ni-
Pd-Y
Ni-Pd-Y
Figure 2. Distribution of mono-ring compounds in
hydrocracking of pyrene over three metal-supported
Y-type zeolite catalysts at 350 OC for 1 h under 70
kglcm' of H,
980
naphthalenes
and tetralins
hydrogenated
pyrenes unreacted
gases \ phenarenes coke pyrene
J
325 OC, 15
350 OC, o
325 OC, 60
350 OC, 15
350 OC, 30
350 OC, 60
0 20 40 60 80 100
Yield (wt%)
Figure 3. Hydrocracking of pyrene over Ni-Pd-Ycatalyst
ies
biphenyls
and
phenylcyclohexanes
b z e n e s \\
cyclohexanes
thiophenols
and
DBT derivatives
gases
coke
S in coke
Ni-Pd-Y k i . 1
0 20 40 60 80 100
Yield (wt0/.)
Figure 4. Hydrodesulfurization of DBT over metal-supported Y-type
zeolite at 350 OC for 1 h
981
SELECTIVE HYDRODESULFURIZATION OF 4,L-DIMETHYL
DIBENZOTHIOPHENE IN THE MAJOR PRESENCE OF
NA_P_H__T_H_A LENE OVER MOLYBDENUM BASED BINARY
AND TERTIARY SULFIDES CATALYSTS
Takaaki ISODAS',h inichi NAGAOX, iaoliang MA,
Yozo KORAI and lsao MOCHIDA
* Institute of Advanced Material Study, Kyushu University,
Kasugakouen 6-1. Kasuga, Fukuoka 816, Japan
Keywords : Selective HDS, Ru-CoMo / A1203, 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene
INTRODUCTION
It has been clarified in previous papers (I) that the sufficient desulfurization of the
refractory sulfur species in the diesel fuel such m 4-methyldibenzothiophene and 4,6-
dimethyldibenzothiophene (4,6-DMDBT) should be achieved in its sulfur level of 0.05
70 which is currently regulated (2). Such refractory species have been proved lo be desulfurized
through the hydrogenation of one or both phenyl rings in the substrate to
moderate the steric hindrance of inethyl groups located in the neighbours of the sulfur
atom (3). Hydrogenation of neighboring phenyl rings should competitive with the
aromatic partners in the hydrogenation step. being severely hindered (4). The diesel
fuel tends to be more aromatic due to crude of more aromaticity and more blending of
the craked oil.
In the present study. the catalytic activities of CoMo and NiMo of different contents
of Co or Ni and Ru-CoMo I A1203 were examined for the desulfurization of 4,6-DMDBT
in decane and decane with naphthalene lo find selective catalysts which desulfurize
4.6-DMDBT in the presence of naphthalene through preferential hydrogenation through
its phenyl ring. The key step is assumed lo be the hydrogenation step of4.6-DMDBT
in the competition with naphthalene. Ru was the selected as the third component of
metal promoter which was added to CoMo / Al2O3, since sulfur atom in 4.6-DMDBT
can be a prefereable anchor to the nobel metal sulfide in competition with the aromatic
hydrocarbon (5-6). Characterization of Ru-CoMo / A1203 using XPS, XRD and HREM
to find the origin of the selectivity for the desulfurization in the aromatic hydrocarbons.
EXPERIMENTALS
Chemicals and Catalysts : 4.6-DMDBT was synthesized according to the
reference (7). Commercially available (NH&Mo04. Co(N03)26H2O, Ni(N03)26H20
and RuC1.~3H20w ere used as catalyst precusor salts. Commercially available A1203
was selected 3s the catalyst support.
The precusor salt was impregnated onto AI203 according to an incipinent wetness
impregnation procedure. Impregnation additives such as HCI, H3PO4. malic acid and
citric acid are used in the impregnation solution. Contents of metal oxides supported
were 3s follows; Co(0 - 3 wt%)-Mo(lS wt%) / A1203. Ni(0 - 5 wt%)-Mo(lS wt%) I
A1203. Ru(0.75 wt %)-Co(O.ZSwt%)-Mo(lS wt%) / A1203, respectively.
After the impregnation, the catalyst was dried at 160"C, calcined at 420'C under air
now. and presulfurized at 360°C for 2h by flowing H2S (5vol %) in H2 under
atomospheric pressure just before its use.
Reaction ; HDS of 4.6-DMDBT in decane with naphthalene was performed in a SO
1111 batch-autoclave at 300°C under 2.SMPa H2 pressure for 0.5 - 23h, using 1.5g
catalyst and log substrate including solvent. The concentrations of 4,6-DMDBT and
iiaphthalene were 0.1 and10 wt %, respectively. After the reaction, products were
qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed by GC-MS, GC-FID (Yanaco G-3800 and G-
100) and GC-FPD(Yanaco G-3800 and S0inl OV-101).
XPS : X-ray photoelectoron spectra (XPS) was taken on a ESCA 1000 (Shirnazu co.)
with Mg Ka radiation energy of 1253.6 eV. The binding energy was identified
according to the references (8- I I ).
982
i
XRD ; X-ray diffraction (XRD) was taken on a X-ray diffraction meter (Rigaku co.)
with Cu bget electrode at 40 KV voltage. X-ray diffraction was performed according to
the. procedure described by International Center for Diffration Data (12).
HREM ; High resolution electron micrographs (HREM) of catalysts were taken on
JEM -2000 EX (Jeol co.) at 200 KV accelation voltage at magnification of 1 SO to 500K.
RESULTS
Inhibition with Naphthalene of €IDS Reaction over NiMo and CoMo
catalysts
Fig.l(A) illustrates HDS activity of NiMo catalysts for 4,6-DMDBT in decane and
decane with IO wt% naphthalene at 300°C under 2.5MPa H2 for 2h. The catalysts gave
95 - 10%co nversion of 4.6-DMDBT in decane regardless of Ni content which increased
very much the desulfurization compared to that over Mo / A1203 in decane.
Naphthalene of IO.wt% reduced the conversion to 45% on Mo / A1203 and Ni( I)-Mo I
A1203. and 77% on Ni(S)-Mo / A1203. Significant retardation by naphthalene was
observed over Ni-Mo / A1203 especially when Ni content was low.
Fig2 shows the HDS products from 4.6-DMDBT over Mo and NiMo / AI203
NiMo / AI2O3 produced B4,6 as the major product and A4.6 as the second major while
Mo / A1203 did A4.6 as the major and 84.6 as the second major in decane. Overall
desulfurization was certainly enhanced by addition of Ni through the hydrogenation.
Naphthalene of IO wt% reduced very much the desulfurization over Mo / AI203 and
Ni( I)-Mo /AI2O3. Mo / A1203 and Ni-Mo / A1203 with less content of Ni suffered
large reduction of both products by IO wt% naphthalene. Large amount of Ni increased
the 84.6 overcoming the inhibition of naphthalene while A4.6 suffered very much the
retardation regardless of Ni content.
Fig.l(B) shows conversion of naphthalene to tetralin and decalin. Ni of I wt% or
more addition accelerate very much the hydrogenation of naphthalene, giving 100%
tetralin and 25% decalin. while Mo / A1203 provided SO% conversion to tetralin without
decalin.
Table I summaries the yield of minor products, hydrogenated one (H) and desulfurized
one without hydrogenation (C4.6). Addition of Ni increased the yield of C4.6 and
reduced that of H.
Fig.3(A) illustrates the HDS of 4.6-DMDBT over CoMo / AI203 in decane and
decane with IO wt% naphthalene. The CoMo catalysts allowed 100% conversion of
4.6-DMDBT regardless of Co content under the present conditions in decane. Naphthalene
of IO wt% reduced the conversion to 7.5% in Co(0.25)Mo / A1203. 87% over
Co( I )Mo /A1203. and 68% over Co(3)Mo / AlzO3. It should be noted that Co( I)Mo /
A1203 surfered the smallest retardation by naphthalene.
Fig.4 shows yields of products from 4,6-DMDBT over CoMo / AI203 of different
Co contents. B4.6 was the major product, of which yield increased markedly by
addition of Co to Mo, reaches the maximum of SO% by Co of I wt% in decane and 60%
in decane with IO wt% naphthalene. Addition of Co increased very sharply the yeild of
B4.6 the major product. I wt% of Co giving the maximum yield. A4.6 the second major
product, was produced most over Mo / Al203. Addition of Co reduced it sharply in
decane. Yield of A4.6 decreased markedly in decane with 10% naphthalene over Mo I
A1203, while addition of 0.25 and I wt% of Co slightly increased it.
90 naphthalene over Ru(0.75 wt%)
wt%)-Mo / Al203, respectively, by 2h. High HDS conversions of 9S - 100 % were
obtained over all three catalysts in decane. Naphthalene of IO wt% in decane reduced
the HDS conversion over the catalysts, however the extent reduction depended in the
amounts of Co or Ni. Co content of 0.7.5 wt% exhibited 22% reduction while Co and
Ni of 3 and 5 wt% severe suffered 30 and 39 % reduction, respectively.
Hydrogenation conversion of coexistent naphthalene is shown in Fig.5 (B). Ru-
NiMo / A1203 provide the highest conversions of naphthalene to tetralin and decalin of
100% and 20%. respectively, while the conversions were 90% and IO%, respectively,
over Ru-Co(0.25 wt%)Mo / A1203. Hence, Ru-CoMo / A1203 with 0.2.5 wt% Co
exhibited the highest HDS activity of 4,6-DMDBT by minimum hydrogenation of coexistence
naphthalene.
983
Hydrodesulfurization and Hydrogenation Selectivities
Fig.6 compares the conversions of 4.6-UMUBT hydrodesulfurization and naphthalene
hydrogenation over NiMo, CoMo and additive with Ru(0.75 wt%)-C0(0.25 ~ 1 % ) -
Mo( IS wt%) / AI203 at 300'C for 0.5h and 2h where 0.1 wt% 4.6-DMDBT and IO
wt% naphthalene were present in decane. There were found two kinds of the catalysts :
one exhibited a larger conversion of naphthalene with much less conversion of 4,6-DMDBT,
and the others were large conversions of 4.6-DMDBT. The first group of
cayalyst contained NiMo, the second one contained Ru-CoMo and Ru-CoMo with
additive H3P04 and HCI.
In order to compare the reaction selectivity between the HDS for sulfur compound
and hydrogenation (HGN) for aromatic hydrocarbon, relative selectivity was introduced
according to the equation (I). Selectivity ratio is shown as follows ;
Selectivity ratio of 4.6-UMDBT =
(Reaction mole ratio of 4.6-DMDBT over NiMo / A1203 or Ru-CoMo / A1203 ) /
( 1 )
Fig.7 shows the selectivity ratio of 4.6-DMDBT calculated from data of Fig.6 versus
conversion of naphthalene. It clarified hydrogenation activity for naphthalene decreased
with increasing the selectivity ratio of 4,6-DMDBT over these catalysts. Particular Ru-
CoMo-HCI / A1203 showed the highest hydrodesulfurization selectivity for 4,6-DMDBT,
giving ratio of I .41, while giving ratio of I .28, I . I2 and I ,O over Ru-CoMo /
A1203. Ru-CoMo-P / A1203 and CoMo / AlzO3, respectively. NiMo / A1203 was inferior
to CoMo / A1203 for hydrodesulfurization selectivity of 4,6-DMDBT, giving ratio
of 0.38. Especially, Ru-CoMo-HCI / A1203 showed as 1.7 times higer selectivity for
hydrodesulfurization of 4.6-DMDBT as that of NiMo / A1203, while 0.4 times lower
hydrogenation activity of naphthalene.
XPS Analysis
Fig.8 shows XPS of Mo 3d in the Ru(x)-Co(y)-Mo( ISwt%) I A1203 (0 S x. y 5 I
wt %) catalysts before and after presulliding. Before sulfiding, two Mo 3d 3/2 and 3d
5 ~ 2pe aks were found at 235 and 232 eV of binding energies (8-1 I), indicating Moo3
species in all catalysts regardless of them compositions. Sulfiding sharply the peaks to
22.5 and 222 eV, respectively in Mo / A1203 and CoMo / A1203. indicating the Mo(ll)
species (8- I I ). Ru-CoMo / A1203 and Ru-Mo / AI203 exhibited two peaks at 222 and
218 eV with a very small peak at 22.5 eV. indicating major presence of Mo 3d 5/? of
Mo(0) at 218 eV after the sulfiding. These resuts indecated two kinds of Mo species,
such as MoS2 and metal Mo existed on sulfided Ru-CoMo / A1203 catalyst.
XRD Analysis
Fig.Y shows XRD spectra of a series of Ru(x)-Co(y)-Ma( IS wt%) / AI203 (0 _< x. y
5 I wt %) before presulfiding. There were two large peaks ascribed to alumina of 45.7'
and 663". respectively , with all catalysts. Three sharppeaks were identified with
MOO, of 23.4'. 2.5.6" and 27.3". respectively, over the Mo based on catalysts. The
intensity of these three peaks increased with increasing content of Ru on CoMo / AI203
indicating the large crystals of Moo3 in the presence of Ru. The peaks of 33.7' and
S3.9' were identified to Ru02, while no peak was ascribed to Co oxide. No definite
peaks related to Mo, Ru and Co species were found after the sulfiding.
HREM
Fig.10 shows HREM micrographs of sulfided Ru(0.75 wt%)-Co (0.25 wt%)-Mo
(IS wt%) / Al2O3. Fig. IO (a) and (b) shows MoS2 layers and RuS2 crystals as dotted
spots, respectively, under 20K magnification which were typically observed on Ru-
CoMo / A1203. Large magnification of (a) under 50K clarified large length and
thickness of MoS2 layers.
DISCUSSION
(Reaction mole ratio of 4.6-DMIIBT over CoMo / A1203)
Fig.1 I illustrates the reaction pathway of 4.6-UMUBT in decane ovre Mo sullidc
based on cataysts. There were two desulfurization routes, one is the desulfurization
through the hydrogenation of one phenyl group; i.e.. hydrodesulfurization route. and
the other is desulfurization without apparent hydrogenation; i.e., direct-desulfurization
route. The former reaction route is strongly hinderd by the dolninamt presence of
naphthalene.
\
\
004
I
In earlier works, it has been proposed desulfurization active site of sulfided CoMo
and NlMo catalysts were anion-vacancy at edge plane of MoS2 ( 13). Voorhoeve and
Stuiver Proposed "Intercalation model" which Ni and Co located edge plane of MoS2
(14), Delmon proposed "Contact synergy model" which high activity brought contact
between liny Co& and MoSz crystal (15). and Tops0e insisted the mechanizum of
high activity by "Co-Mo-S phase model" which located on edge plane of MoS2 (16).
Additive co-catalysts. such as Ni or Co brought the high activity of MoS2.
The role of Ru addition to Mo sulfide based on caytalysts are classified two
categories, reduction of hydrogenation activity for aromatic hydrocarbon and promotion
of hydrogenation selectivity for sulfur compound. In addition XPS spectra indicated
additive Ru in CoMo catalyst was easily reduced MoS2 to metal Mo. Hence hydrogenation
activity of aromatic hydrocarbon was controled by additive Ru, and it suggests
compeatitive reaction of 4.6-DMDBT with naphthalene on hydrogenation active site was
relieved. Crystals of RuSz and (Co)-MoS2 were found existing separately by HREM, it
m y be suggest 4,6-DMDBT takes precedence over the hydrogenation of naphthalene
on the RuS2* and hydrogenated 4.6-DMDBT was completely desulfurized over (Co)-
MoS2.
In order to design of the higher selective hydrodesulfurization catalyst, it will be
necessary to high dispersion of Ru on the surface of support, and optimization of the
amount of CoMo and Ru on catalyst. Other side of the aspect. it will be worthwhile to
try the hybrization of Ru/ A1203 and CoMo / A1203.
LITERATURE CITED
(1) Isoda. T.. Ma. X.. Mochida. 1.. J.Jpii. Per. ln.\r..37. 368 (1994).
(2)Takatuka. T.. Wada. Y.. Suzuki. H.. Komatu. S.. Morimura. Y.. J.Jpii. Per. Insr.. 3.7. 197 (1992).
(3) Isodn. T.. Ma. X., Mochida. I.. J . J p Prr. Insr., 37. SO6 (1994).
(4) Isoda. T.. Ma. X., Nagno. S.. Mochida. I., J . J p . Per. Inst., 38. 25 (1995).
( 5 ) Isoda. T.. Kisamori. M.. Ma, X.. Mochida. I., Abstract of Symposium on Jpn.Pet. Inst.. p.42. 17 -
(6) Isoda. T.. Ma. X., Nagao. S.. Mochida. I.. Abstract of Symposium on Jpn. Pet. Insl.. p.716. 26 -
(7) Gerdil. R.. Lucken. E.. J.Am. Chem Sor.. 87. 213 (196.5).
(8) Chung.P.L.. David, M.H.. J. P/iys. C/ieni..B. 4.56 (1984).
(9) Gajardo. P., Mathieux, A.. Grange. P.. Delmon. B.. Appf. C[im/.. 1, 347 (1987).
(IO) Walton. R.A.. 1. Cflro1..4$ 488 (1976).
( I I ) Ledoux. M.J.. Hantzer. S.. Guille. 1.. Bull. Soc. Cbem. Bclge.. 26. 8SS (1987).
(I21 International cenue for diffiaction data. "Inorganic Phases", (1989).
(13) Prins,R.. De Beer, V.H.J.. Somurjai. G.. Girol.Rev. Sci.Eng..& I (1989).
(14) Voorhoeve. R.J.H.. S1uiver.J.C.M.. J.C~irfl/.,2.l2,2 8 (1971).
(15) Grange. P. , Delmon. B.. 1. Le.\.\ Common Met.. &, 353 (1974).
(16) Topsw. N.Y.,Topsoe. H.. 1. C[ird., 84, 386 (1983).
18 May 1994. Japan.
27 Ocl. 1904. Japan.
985
.-
0
0
0 1 2 3 4 5 0 1 2 3 4 5
NiO (wt"/.)
(A) 4,6-DMDBT (B) Naphthalene
Fig.1 Inhibition with naphthalene of HDS reaction over
NiMo catalysts. (300eC-2.5MPa, 4,6-DMDBT
0. I wt% + Nap IOwt% in decane, Catalyst content;
15 wt% )
to tetralin
1
A s? Y
C
0
0s) c
0
0
.-
E
IO0
50
n
naphthalene
-
0 1 2 3 0 1 2 3
coo (Wh)
(A) 4,6-DMDBT (6) Naphthalene
Fig.3 Inhibition with naphthalene of HDS reaction over
to tetralin
CoMo catalysts.
I 1
In decane
in decane
with 1Owt%
naphthalene fw I
in decane
with 1Owt%
0 1 2 3 0 1 2 3
coo (WtVO)
(A) 8 4 6 (6) A4.6
Fig.4 Major products from 4,6-DMDBT over
CoMo catalvsts.
986
I
I
-1 00 -100
C C
0
v) 50 2 50
Q) >
C >
C
0 0
g E
.0- .-
ii
" 0 " 0
(A) 4,B-DMDBT (e) Naphthalene
to tetralin
-: in decane Kl , conversion of ndphthdhe
: n + 5wl% Naphthalene = to tetralin : conversion of produced
retralin to decalin ; n' + lOwt% *
Fig.5 Inhibition with naphthalene for the HDS reaction of
' 4,6-DMDBT over Ru(0.75)-Co(0.25)-Mo-P, Ru(0.75)
-Co(3)-Mo and Ru(0.75)-Ni(5)-Mo / AlzOs. (300°C-
2.5MPa-2h, 4,6-DMDBT O.lwt% +Nap lOwt% in
decane, Catalyst content; 15 wt% )
0 2
1: Ni-Mo
2: CO-MO
3 RU-COMO-H~PO~
4 Ru-COMO
5: Ru-COMO-HCI
0.5
40 60 80 100
Conversion of naphthalene (Yo)
Fig.7 Effect of the additive on the HDS selectivity
ratio of 4.6-DMDBT
r
(a) (b) under 20K magnification (c) I d I, 4nK II
Fig.10 HREM micrographs of sulfide
Ru(0.75)-Co(0.25)-Mo(I5 ) / AIaO,
__ 1
Fig. I I Reaction pathway of 4,6-Dimethyldibenzothiophene
over Mo sulfide based on catalyst. ( 300C-2.5MPa)
988
SELECTIVE HYDRODESULFURIZATION OF 4,B-DIMETHYLDIBENZOTHIOPHENE
IN THE DOMINANT PRESENCE OF
NAPHTHALENE OVER HYBRID CoMo I AI203
AND Ru I A1203 CATALYSTS
Takaaki ISODA*, Shinichi NAGAO, Xiaoliang MA,
Yozo KORAI and lsao MOCHIDA
* Institute of Advanced Material Study, Kyushu University, Kasugakouen 6- I ,
Keywords : selective HDS, Ru / A1203 catalyst, 4.6-dimethyldibenzothiophene
Kasuga. Fukuoka 8 16, Japan
INTRODUCTION
It has been revealed that significant desulfurization of refractory 4-methyldibenzothiophene
and 4.6-dimethyldibenzothiophene (4.6-DMDBT) is very essential to achive
the low sulfur level of gas oil requested by the current regulation ( I ) . Their direct
desulfurization through the interaction of their sulfur atom with the catalyst surface is
sterically hindered by its neighbouring methyl groups. The substrate is found kinetically
to be hydrogenated at one of its phenyl rings prior to the desulfurization in order
to reduce the steric hindrance through non-planaring configuration (2-4). NiMo / A1203
was reported to be superior to CoMo / AI203 in the deep desulufurization. because of its
higher hydrogenation aciivity (2). However, such a hydrogenation route suffers severe
inhibiiion by aromatic species in their dominant presence (3). because 4.6-DMDBT
must compete with the aromatic species to the hydrogenation sites on the catalysts. The
aromatic species up to 30 wt % in the gas oil was that completely stop the desulfurization
of ihe particular substrate (3). The catalyst for the selective hydrogenation of 4.6-
DMDBT in ihe dominant aromatic partners is most wanted to achive its extensive
desulfurization in the pas oil, although there have been reported activitics of various
transition metal sulfides for HDS of dibenzothiophene (5). and hydrogenation of
aromatic hydrocarbons (6).
The present authors have reproted that different hydrogenation selectivity for 4.6-
DMDBT and naphthalene over mixed sulfides of molybdemum and other transition
metals (7). Ru-CoMo / A1203 catalyst which was impregnated from aquation HCI of
Co, Mo and Ru salts showed four times higher hydrogenation selectivity for 4,6-DMDBT
than NiMo I AI203 catalyst(8). In the present study, HDS of 4,6-DMDBT in
decane containing a significant amount of naphthalene was examined over a hybrid of
CoMo / A1203 and Ru / A1203 to design the selective hydrogenation and succsesive
desulfurization of 4.6-DMDBT in an aromatic moiety. Its activity was compared to
those of CoMo / A1203. NiMo / A1203 and Ru / AI203 in their single use.
I
I
lp
I
('
I'
t
EXPERIMENTALS
Chemicals and Catalysts ; 4.6-DMDBT was synthesized according to the
reference (9). Commercially available (NH&MoOd, Co(N03)26H20, and
RuC13 3H20 were used as catalyst precusor salts. A1203 as the catalyst support was
commercially available.
The precusor salt was impregnated onto A1203 according to an incipinent wetness
impregnation procedure. Content weight of metal oxide on each catalyst as follows ;
Co(0.25 wt%)-Mo(l5 wt%) IA120.1. Ni(lwt%)-Mo(lS wt%) / AI203 and Ru(6 wt%) /
A1203. respectively. After the impregnation. the catalyst was dried at 160'C. calcined at
420'C under air flow, and presulfurized at 360°C for 2h by flowing H2S (5 vol %) in
HZ under atomospheric pressure just before its use.
Reaction ; HDS of 4.6-DMDBT in decane with naphthalene was performed in a 50ml
batch-autoclave at 300°C under 2.5MPa H2 pressure for I .O - 2.Sh. using I .Sg catalyst
and log substrate including solvent. The concentrations of 4.6-UMDBT and naphthalene
were 0.1 and10 wt %. respectively. After the reaction, products were qualitatively
and quantitatively analyzed by GC-MS, GC-FID (Yanaco G-3800 and G-100) and GCFPD(
Yanaco G-3800 and 50ml OV-101).
k 989
RESULTS
HDS Activity of 4,6-DMDBT
Fig. I (A) and (B) illustrates the conversion of 4.6-DMDBT and naphthalene versus
reaction time. respectively, over CoMo / A1203. NiMo I Al203, Ru / A1203 and a hybrid
of CoMo I AI203 and Ru I A1203 at 300°C. CoMo I A1203 exhibited an excellent
activity for HDS of 4,6-DMDBT. giving conversions of 46% by I h and 74% by 2h ils
shown in Fig. I(A). The particular NiMo I AI203 was inferior to CoMo I A1203, giving
conversions of 24% by I h and 47% by 2h. Ru I A1203 was very inactive for HDS.
giving conversions of 6% by Ih and 8% by 2h. The hybrid showed the highest activity
for HDS of 4.6-DMDBT among the catalyst examined, giving conversions of 71% by
Ih, 87% by 2h and 90% by 2.Sh. when 20 wt% of Ru I A1203 and IS wt% CoMo /
AI203 were used. NiMo I A1203 showed high activity for the hydrogenation of
naphthalene. giving conversion of 90% by I h. Tetralin and decalin were the products.
their yields of the latter produced being 6% by I h and 18% by 2h, respectively. CoMo /
AI203 and its hybrid with Ru / A1203 exhibited similar activities, being much inferior to
NiMo / AI203 to give conversion of 61 and 77% by 1 h, respectively. Decalin of 80%
produced by I h over CoMo / Al203,5% by I h over the hybrids. Ru / A1203 was very
inactive, giving a conversion of 10% by I h and 23% by 2h.
Products frum 4,6-I)MDBT
Fig.2(A) and (B) illustrates the product yields from 4,6-DMDBT over the CoMo /
A1203, NiMo I A1203. Ru / A1203 and a hybrid of CoMo I A1203 and Ru I AI203 at 300
'C. The major products were hydrodesulfurization products B4.6 and A4,gespectively.
B J , a~n d A4.6 were produced through the hydrogenation of one or both phenyl ring in
46DMDBT. In addition, hydrogenation products of H and desulfurized product C4,6
were also found in minor yields, being produced through the hydrogenation of one
phenyl ring and successive direct sulfur elimination, respectively. by the yields over
CoMo I A1203. NiMo / A1203. Ku / AI203 and hybrids with 10 and 20 wt% Ru I AI2O3,
respectively. as suininnrized in Table I . CoMo I A1203 and the hybrid provided H4
by the yields of 24 and 3590, respectively, by Ih, while the yields of H were 3 and 10%
by I h, respectively. The yield of H decreased beyond 1 h over CoMo / AI203 and
hybrids, indicating its consecutive reaction pathway. Large yield of A4.6 over the
hybrid was noted, being produced of A4.6 43% and 45% by 2h over hybrid with Ru /
AI203 IO wt% and 20 wt%, respectively, while giving conversions of 29% and I I % by
2h over CoMo I A1203 and NiMo / Al203, respectively. Yield of C4,h were 0 to 2%.
respectively over these catalysts, indicating very minor contribution of direct elimination
of sulfur from 4.6-DMDBT as reported previously (2).
The palticular Ru I AI203 was inferior in the desulfuri7ation to CoMo / AI203 and the
hybrid, however it produced more H, giving its yield of 6% by Ih, and 8% by 2h.
Longer reaction time beyond I h increased the yield, although no definite product of
desulfurization was found.
DISCUSSION
Fig3 illustrates the hydrodeslfurization scheme of 4.6-DMDBT carries two methyl
groups on 4 and 6 carbons neighbouring sulfur atom. Because two methyl groups on
the sulfur htoin. sterically hinder the interaction of sulfur through its Pz orbital with the
sulfur vacancy of sulfide catalyst, the direct elimination of sulfur at0111 is strongly
hindered. The hydrogenation of one of two phenyl rings hreakes the co-planiuity of the
dibenzothiophene skelton, moderating the steric hindrance of the methyl groups in the
neighbors of the sulfur atom. Furthennore the hydrogenation of the neighboring phenyl
ring increascs electron density of the sulfur atom enhancy its elimination through
electron density interaction with the active site. Thus, it is very essential to hydrogenate
the phenyl ring of 4.6-DMDBT for the accelerate of its desulfurization.
The hydrogenation of 4.6-DMDBT at one of its phenyl ring certainly compeates the
hydrogenation active site with aromatic partners of dominant presence in the deisel oil as
observed in the present study. The selective hydrogenation of 4.6-DMDHT is very
essential to accelerate its desulfurization. NiMo I A1203 exhibited preferable hydrogenation
of naphthalene on the conversion-base to that of 4,6-DMDBT in the dominant
presence of the former substrate. While CoMo I A1203 and the hybrid of CoMo / AI203
and Ru / AI203 did similar or slightly preferable selectivity to 4.6-DMDBT. respectively.
Thus, the latter catalyst promoted the largest desulfurization activity of 4.6-DMDBT
with the smallest hydrogenation of naphthalene.
990
The products for 4.6-DMDBT arc classified into three calegories. hydrogenation,
direcf-desulrurizatioii and desullurization through the hydrogenation. RU / AI203
produce more hydrogenation product of 4.6-DMDBT than CoMo I AI203 and the hybnd
catalyst. because of its insecutive desulfurization reactivity. while the hybrid catalyst
gave the largest yield of bicyclohexyl which is the desulfurized product of both rings
hydrogenated. Based on the above discussion, the hybrid catalyst performed the
selective desulfurization of 4.6-DMDBT in the dominant presence of naphthalene
through the selective hydrogenation of substrate over Ru / A1203 and the desulfurization
of hydrogenated products over CoMo / A1203. High activity of NiMo / AI203 for the
non-selective hydrogenation rules out the efficiency of its hybrid with Ru I A1203.
The origin of selectivity for 4.6-DMDBT may be worthwhile for speculation.
although no sufficient evidence is available at moment. n orbital localized on the sulfur
atom in 4,6-DMDBT may interact prefereable to d orbital of the sulfide catalyst to that of
the napthalene ring, being free from the steric hindrance of its methyl groups. Such a
Sr - Md interaction may be expected more strongly with Ru than Ni. Co or Mo because
of the higher polarizibillty of noble Ru, allowing the higher selectivity of Ru / A1203 to
4.6-DMDBT than naphthalene.
LITERATURE CITED
(.11. T akatuka., T.~. Wa.da. Y.. Suzuki. H.. Komatu. S.. Morimura. Y.. J.Jpn. Per. Insr. ~~ . . . .
, 35, 197(1992).
(2) Isoda, T., Ma, X., Mochida. I., J.Jpn. Per. /nsl.,37, 368 (1994).
(3) Isoda, T., Ma, X., Mochida, I., J.Jpn. Per. Insr., 31, 506 (1994).
(4) Isoda, T., Ma. X., Nagao, S., Mochida, I., J.Jpn. Per. Insr., 38, 25 (1995).
(5) Lacroix. M., Boutarfa, N., Guillard, C., Vrinat, M., Breysse, M..J. Crrfd., 120.
(6) Des Los Reyes, J.A.. Vrinat, M., Geantet, C., Breysse, M., Grimblot, J., J.
(7) Isoda. T.. Kisamori, M., Ma, X., Mochida, I., Abstract of Symposium on Jpn
(8) Isoda. I., Ma, X., Nagao, S., Mochida, I.. Abstract of Syinposium on Jpn. Pet.
(9) Gerdil, R., Lucken, E., J.Am. Chem. SOC., 87.213 (1965).
473 (1989).
Cuful., 142,455 ( 1993).
Pet. Inst.. p.42, 17 - 18 May 1994, Japan.
Inst.. p.316, 26 - 27 Oct. 1994, Japan.
100
h 2
C
0
Q>
C
.-
E 50
s
0
a) Conversion of
produced lelralin
lo declin
I NLMo
n CUMO
CoMcqlSulC)+
K d A b O ~ ( l O w l l )
CoMNlSMlr)+ 0 1 2 3 0 1 2 3 K d A 1 ~ l I r l 2 0 ~ 1 ~ )
Reaction time (hour)
(A) 4,6-DMDBT (B) Naphthalene
Fig. I Cocversions of 4,6-DMDBT and naphthalene
over a hybrids of CoMo / , 4 1 2 0 3 and Ru /Al203.
(30O0C-2.5MPa, 4,6-DMDBT 0.1 wt% + Nap
IOwt% in decane, Catalyst content; 15 wt%,
(CoMo / A1203) / (Ru /Ah03) = 1 .O and 2.0)
to tetralin
991
60
#!
p 40
20
h
v
.- s
c
'0 P n
0
15
h #! Y
q10
2 5
.- r
CI
'El P n
0
0 1 2 3 0 1 2 3
Reaction time (hour)
(A) 646 (6) H
Fig.2 Products from 4,6-DMDBT over a hybrids of CoMo
/ A I 2 0 3 and Ru /AlzOx
Product distribution of 4,6-Dirnethyldibenzothiopheneo ver NiMo.
CoMo, Ru I Alz01 and a hyhrid of CoMo I All01 and Ru I AIzOt.
Table I
Co-Mo I A1203 29
Ni-Mo I AIzOi 12
Ru I AI203 0
Co-Ma I Ah0 1 + 43
Ru I Al2Ol(towt%)
Co-Mo I Ah01 + 45
Ru I A1203(XIwts)
a) icilCtiiin condition: 31llK-2.SMPa-2h. 4.6-DMDBT O.lwt%
and ~ a i pn w m
Fig3
CH3 CH, B
Reaction Pathway of 4,6-Dirnethyldibenzothiophene
over Mo Sulfide Based on Catalyst. ( 300"C-2.SMPa)
992
I
/
HYDRODEOXYGENATION OF 0-CONTAINING POLYCYCLIC MODEL
COMPOUNDS USING NOVEL ORGANOMETALLIC CATALYST PRECURSORS
Stephen R. Kirby, Chunshan Song and Harold H. Schoben
Fuel Science Program, 209 Academic hojects Bldg.
Penn State University, PA 16802
Keywords: Deoxygenation, catalyst, Liquefaction.
Oxygenated compounds are present in virtually all coals [I]. Phenols (and related
hydroxyl compounds) have been identified as components of coal-derived distillates (2.31.
Ethers and related compounds, connecting structural units within the coal matrix, have been
proposed as sites for the depolymerization of the coal [4] and also ethers, together with
carboxyls and phenolics, have been implicated in the facilitation of retrogressive,
crosslinking, repolymerization reactions (5.61.
Low-rank coals ( i.e. lignites and subbituminous coals ) include significantly more
oxygen-containing groups than coals of higher rank [7]. With the increase in the extraction
of lower rank coals in the U.S. and research into their use as liquefaction feedstocks [5,8,91,
the imwrtance of ox_vee-n functionalitv removal from coal and coal-derived liquids is all the more apparent.
The removal of these functionalities from the distillate products of coal liquefaction
can be both complicated and expensive, and often leads to substantial reductions in distillate
vields 131. Therefore. deoxwenation durine the liouefaction urocess would be beneficial.
?his god may be. attinablLhh the use of gulphideb bimetalli'c catalysts dispersed onto the
coal using an organometallic precursor (10.1 I].
Model compound studies using multi-ring systems, or those of comparable
molecular weight, were performed to investigate the capabilities of these catalysts. The
model compounds selected represent a variety of oxygen functionalities, possibly present in
coals of differing rank [12-141, contained within polycyclic systems. They include:
anthrone (carbonyl); dinaphthyl ether (aryl-aryl ether); xanthene (heterocyclic ether); and
2,6-di-t -butyl-4-methylphenoI (hydroxyl).
EXPERIMENTAL
All experiments were performed in a 22ml capacity microreactor. A 0.5g sample of
model compound was loaded into the reactor. Solvent was added in a 1:2 weight ratio to
model compound and catalyst precursors were added at 2.46mol% concentration (unless
otherwise stated). The catalyst precursors used were (NH4)2MoS4 (ATTM),
[Ph4P]@i(MoS4)2] (Ni-Mol) and C ~ ~ CO~MOZ ( C(OCo)MZ So-~T 2).
Air was removed by flushing the reactor three times with H2 to 1OOOpsi. The
reactor was then repressurized to IoOOpsi H2. Reactions were performed at 300°C. 350°C
and 400°C for 30 minutes. All reactions were carried out in a fluidized sand bath equipped
with a vertical oscillator driving at a setting of 55 (-250 strokes per minute). At the end of
the reaction the microreactor was quenched in cold water.
Tridecane (0.25g) was added to the microreactor as an internal standard. The'
microreactor contents were then extracted with acetone and diluted for analysis.
Capillary gas chromatography (GC) connected to a flame ionization detector (Perkin
Elmer-8500) and gas chromatography / mass spectrometry (Hewlett Packard-5890) were
used for the quantitative and qualitative analysis of the product distribution, respectively.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Product distributions have been grouped as oxygen-containing and deoxygenated
for the purposes of this article. The conversions of anthrone, dinaphthyl ether, xanthene
and 2,6-dir-butyl4-methylphenola re shown in Figures 14, and the product distribution of
dinaphthyl ether is given in Figure 5.
Generally, the addition of any catalyst to a system under the conditions studied
increases the total conversion. For example, at 400°C dinaphthyl ether undergoes 26%
thermal conversion; this yield is increased to 72% in the presence of AITM, 88.5% with
Ni-Mol, and 100% using CoMo-T2. However, any improvement in the product quality,
especially deoxygenation and ring reduction, in the presence of these catalysts is also
important, and the variation of these factors for the different oxygen functional groups will
be the main focus of this discussion.
Anthrone
Under non-catalytic conditions anthrone converts to anthracene through thermal
reaction of the carbonyl oxygen. Anthracene then reacts further to form a variety of
hydrogenated ring species, such as di- and tetrahydroanthracene.
In the presence of AmM, the formation of oxygen-containing compounds in the
products at 350T and 400°C (substituted naphthols and phenols) suggest hydrogenation of
993
the carbonyl oxygen to a hydroxyl group before extensive conversion to anthracene.
Reduction in the yield of these oxygen functionalities in the ATTM reaction at 400°C may
indicate the possibility of an increase in the conversion of these Species tO non-oxygenated
products.
Conversion of anthrone to oxygen-free products is increased considerably using the
C ~ M ca~talyTst p~recu rsor. This implies that CoMo-T2 has the capability to increase the
conversion of carbonyls without additional phenol or naphthol production. This may be
achieved by either rapid C=O cleavage prior to ring hydrogenation, rapid phenol
conversion to oxygen-free products, or by the prevention of initial hydroxyl group
formation. From the reactions of 2,6-di-r-butyl-4-methylphenowl ith CoMo-T2, it can be
Seen that this catalyst, although removing some hydroxyl functionality, does not promote
the ready conversion of phenols to non-oxygen containing species.
Variations in the oxygen-free products of anthrone conversion are also apparent for
the different catalyst precursors. Ni-Mol appears to promote the formation of 1,2,3,4-
tetrahydroanthracene (THA), whereas CoMo-T2 demonstrates the facilitation of 9,10-
dihydroanthracene (DHA) production. ATTM seems to have equal affinity for the
formation of both products. Ni-Mol and ATTM both exhibit an increase in the formation
of 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-octahydroanthracene (OHA) at 400°C (0% under catalyst-free
conditions to 11.8% and 11.3% respectively), which only appears in very low yields with
CoMo-T2 (1.5%). This reduction in OHA yield for the CoMo-T2 precursor is comparable
to increases in anthracene and DHA production, suggesting selective hydrogenation of the
9- and 10- positions (i.e. the carbonyl carbon).
Dinaphthyl Ether
Under non-catalytic conditions naphthalene is the major product of dinaphthyl ether
(DNE) hydrogenation, with low yields of 2-naphthol, although total conversion is very
small (26%). Oxygen functionality removal is increased in the presence of all the catalyst
precursors, although to a lesser extent than for anthrone.
ATTM increases DNE conversion to oxygen-free products (63.6% at 400°C) with
the balance of the products being phenols, naphthols (1.8%) and ring-reduced derivatives
of the starting material. Phenol and naphthol yields decrease from 350°C to 400°C. again
implying that ATTM facilitates hydroxyl group removal.
High conversions to tetralin and naphthalene are achieved in the presence of CoMo-
T2 (51.6% and 40.2% respectively at 400OC). Phenols and naphthols are present in larger
yields than for anthrone, suggesting the cleavage of a single C-0 bond followed by
hydrogenation of the phenoxy (or naphthoxy) group. Ring-reduced derivatives of DNE
produced at 350°C are absent at 400°C and naphthol yields decrease across the same
temperature range. These reductions in oxygen compound yields are accompanied by
increases in tetralin, naphthalene and alkylbenzene formation.
The product distributions (0 : non-0) of reactions of A7TM, Ni-Mo and CoMo-TZ
with DNE (Figures 2 and 5) distinctly show the latter precursor to be the most favourable
for C-0-C bond cleavage to oxygen-free products.
Xanthene
In the absence of a catalyst xanthene is totally unreactive. Addition of ATTM or
CoMo-T2 produces noticeable reaction at 350°C and 400°C.
At 350°C the products from both precursors are phenols, cycloalkyl- and long-chain
alkylbenzenes formed by C-0 and C-C bond cleavage. However, at 400°C ATTM
produces an increase in oxygen-free products with no increase in phenols, although
conversion to non-oxygen containing species is low (24.9%).
Increases in oxygen-free product yields are also achieved with CoMo-T2 at 400°C.
but with accompanying increases in phenol formation. This gain in phenols may be
attributed to the formation of short-chain (Cl-C2) alkylphenols from longer chain
alkylphenols, implying that CoMo-T2 favours C-C cleavage over C-OH.
The comparably large conversion to oxygen-free products and phenols reinforces
the ability of CoMo-T2 to cleave ether linkages, and inability to remove hydroxyl groups.
However, the low conversions of xanthene illustrate the unreactive nature of the starting
material.
2,6-Di-r-butyl4-methylpheno(lD BMP)
Under non-catalytic reaction conditions the conversion of DBMP involves the
cleavage of one, or both, of the r-butyl groups to produce 2-butyl-4-methylphenol (BMP)
and ultimately 4-methylphenol (100% at 400OC). No reaction occurs at 300°C in the
absence of a catalyst. When a catalyst is present the removal of the butyl groups becomes
more favourable and formation of the above products takes place.
At 350°C with ATIU, almost all the starting material has reacted and only a small
poaion remains as BMP (13.5%). The major product, 4-methylpheno1, then undergoes
catalytic hydrogenation and hydroxyl removal to form toluene and methylcyclohexane. At
400°C these reactions proceed to a greater extent, resulting in greater yields of both
Products (46.5% and 20.2% respectively).
In the Presence of CoMo-T2, DBMP appears to lose both butyl groups SO rapidly
that no 2-r-butyl-4-methylphenol is isolated, so 4-methylphenol is the only product at
994
I
300°C. At 350°C it exhibits some further conversion to methylcyclohexane (1.6%) and at
4W"' toluene and methylcyclohexane are produced.
DBMP is a reactive compound through loss of its butyl groups. However, the
hydroxyl group C-OH bond is very resistant to reaction and is only cleaved, to a substantial
degree, in the presence of the ATTM precursor. CoMo-T2 removes the OH-group, but
only to a small extent.
Investigations using the Ni-Mol precursor are not as advanced as those for ATTM
and CoMo-T2. Presentation of these results is planned for future articles.
CONCLUSIONS
From the non-catalytic data shown there is a clear order of starting material
reactivity : 2,6-di-t-butyl-4-methylphenol> anthrone > dinaphthyl ether > xanthene.
However, the reactivity order of the oxygen functionalities in the presence of the various
catalysts is different. For non-catalytic conditions the order appears to be : carbonyl >arylaryl
ether )> substituted phenol = heterocyclic ether. In the presence of A'lTh4 this sequence
changes slightly to : carbonyl >substituted phenol = aryl-aryl ether B heterocyclic ether and
for reactions involving CoMo-T2 the reactivity order appears to be : carbonyl aryl-aryl
ether > heterocyclic ether > substituted phenol.
These differences in reactivity order emphasize the effect of the nature of the
oxygen functionality on the deoxygenating capabilities of the catalysts and that different
catalysts can have different roles in promoting hydrodeoxygenation and reduction,
depending on the nature of the starting material. They also highlight the undesirability of
phenolic and heterocyclic ether structures in liquefaction systems. Both these structures
types are quite unreactive under liquefaction conditions and any reaction has a tendency to
form high yields of single-ring phenols.
When applied to coals, these findings suggest that coals differing from each other in
the form of which oxygen functional groups are dominant, may show quite different kinds
of liquefaction products, depending on which catalyst precursor was chosen.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors wish to express their appreciation to the U.S. Department of Energy,
Pittsburgh Energy Technology Centre for supporting this work, Dr. E. Schmidt for
synthesizing the catalyst precursors and Mr. R.M. Copenhaver for the fabrication of the
microreactors.
REFERENCES
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
C. Song, L. Hou, A. K. Saini, P. G. Hatcher and H. H. Schobert, (1993). Fuel
Processing Technology, 34 249-276.
R. E. Pauls, M. E. Bambacht, C. Bradley, S. E. Scheppele and D. C. Cronauer,
(1990). Energy & Fuels, 4 236-242.
C. Burgess, (1994). "Direct Coal Liquefaction: A Potential Route to Thermally
Stable Jet Fuel'', pp. 167.
L. Artok, 0. Erbatur and H. H. Schobert, (in press).
C. Song, H. H. Schobert and P. G. Hatcher, (1992). Energy & Fuels, 6 326-328.
M. A. Serio, E. Kroo, S. Charpenay, R. Bassilakis, P. R. Solomon, D. F.
McMillen, A. Satyam, J. Manion and R. Malhotra, (1993). Proceedings of
Contractors' Review Conference: "Coal Liquefaction and Gas Conversion": "The
Dual Role of Oxygen Functions in Coal Pretreatment and Liquefaction: Crosslinking
and Cleavage Reactions", Pittsburgh, PA, 15-44.
S. M. Solum, R. J. Pugmire and D. M. Grant, (1989). Energy & Fuels, 3 187-193.
C. Song and H. H. Schohert, (1992). Am. Chem. Soc. Div. Fuel Chem. Prepr., 37
42.
L. Huang, C. Song and H. H. Schobert, (1992). Am. Chem. Soc. Div. Fuel Chem.
Prepr., 31 223.
C. Song and H. H. Schobert, (1993). "Novel Bimetallic Dispersed Catalysts for
Temperature-Programmed Coal Liquefaction", PeM State University DE-AC22-
C. Song, D. S. Parfitt and H. H. Schobert, (1993). Catalysis Letters, 21 27-34.
L. M. Stock, (1989). Accounts of Chemical Research, 22 421-433.
R. Hayatsu, R. E. Winans, R. G. Scott, L. P. Moore and M. H. Studier, (1978).
Fuel, 57 (2), 541.
J. H. Shinn, (1984). Fuel, 63 (3), 1187
92PC92122-TPR- 1.
995
Figure 1. Yield of oxygenated and deoxygenated products of anthrone as a function of
temperature and catalyst precursor.
100
90
80
Q 70
5 60
gc 50
9 40 " 30
20
10
0
B
. .
None None None AlTM ATIU AlTM Co Co Co Ni-
300°C 350T 400°C 300T 350°C 403°C Mo-T2 Mo-T2 MeT2 Mol
300°C 35wc 400°C w c
Figure 2. Yield of oxygenated and deoxygenated products from dinaphthyl ether as a
function of temperature and catalyst.
. . . . .
None None None ATTM ATTM ATI'M Co Co Co Ni-
300T 350T 400°C 300°C 350°C 4oooC Mo-X? Mo-n Mo-n Mol
300°C 350°C W0C 4oo°C
996
/
React.ternp.('C)
Cat. Precursors
ROdUCU(wt%)
Tetralin
Naphthalene
THDNE
OHDNE
2-Naphthol
Methylphenol
Alkylbenzenes
Conv. (wt%)
THnaphthol
I i 300 350 400 300 350 400 400 300 350 400
None None None A?TM A'ITM A?TM Ni-Mo CoMo- CoMo- CoMo-
TZ TZ "2
1.2 1.3 30.5 24.4 24.6 4.4 47.2 51.6
1.9 4.1 22.9 1.4 26.1 38.3 39.1 1.9 28.6 40.2
7.4 6.3 12.0 0.3 7.5 0.3
1.7 3.2 2.6
2.3 1.0 4.1 5.9 3.5
3.2 0.6 0.8 2.1 0.3 1.5 0.5
0.3 0.4 0.6 0.7
1.9 0.9 2.0 0.5 3.1
1.9 5.3 26.1 2.7 70.7 71.9 87.6 6.9 94.3 100
I'
Figure 3. Yield of oxygenated and deoxygenated products of xanthene as a function of
temperature and catalyst.
60
50-/ 5 Oxygenated -
3 40-/
.: 30-/
e
-5
6 20
IO
0
None None None ATIU A m A m Co Co Co
300°C 350°C 400°C 300OC 350°C 400°C Mo-T2 MwT2 M o l 2
300°C 350°C 400°C
Figure 4. Yield of oxygenated and deoxygenated products of 2,6-di-1-butyl-4-methylphenol
as a function of temperature and catalyst.
None None None AlTM AlTM AlTM Co Co Co
300°C 350°C 40°C 300T 350°C 400°C Mo-T2 Mo-n Mo-n
300T 350°C 40°C
997
SYNTHESIS AND REACTIVITY OF NEW BIMETALLIC OXYNITRIDES
S. Ramanathan, C. C. Yu and S. T. Oyama
Department of Chemical Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic
Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061
Keywords: Bimetallic oxynitrides, Hydrodenitrogenation,
Hydrodesulfurization
ABSTRACT
A new series of catalysts, transition metal bimetallic
oxynitrides of the form M1M20,Ny (M1 = V, Nb and Cr, M2 = Mo), was
prepared. The catalysts were synthesized by nitriding the
bimetallic oxide precursors in an ammonia gas stream at 1000
cm3/min ( 6 . 8 ~ 1 0p~m ols-l) using a heating rate of 5 Klmin (8.3~
10-2 Ks-1). The catalysts were characterized by x-ray
diffraction, CO chemisorption and surface area measurements. The
activity of these catalysts for hydroprocessing was studied in a
three-phase trickle bed reactor operated at 3.1 MPa and 643 K.
The liquid feed consisted of 3000 ppm sulfur (dibenzothiophene),
2000 ppm nitrogen (quinoline), 500 ppm oxygen (benzofuran), 20
wt% aromatics (15 wt% tetralin and 5 wt% amylbenzene) and balance
aliphatics (tetradecane). The activities of the bimetallic
oxynitrides were compared to a commercial Ni-Mo/Al2O3 (Shell 324)
catalyst tested at the same conditions. The bimetallic
oxynitrides were found to be active for the hydrodenitrogenation
(HDN) of quinoline. In particular, V-Mo-0-N exhibited higher HDN
activity than the commercial Ni-Mo/A1203 catalyst.
hydrodesulfurization (HDS) activity of the bimetallic oxynitrides
ranged from 9-25% with V-Mo-0-N showing the highest HDS activity
among the oxynitrides tested.
The
INTRODUCTION
Monometallic nitrides have been investigated extensively since
the 50's and 60's [1,2]. However, in order to take advantage of
the catalytic properties of the carbides and nitrides, it is
important to prepare these materials in high surface area form.
Conventional powder metallurgy methods such as direct nitridation
or carburization of metal or metal oxide powders resulted in
compounds of typically low surface area (c 10 m2g-l).
Significant progress has been made in the preparation of these
materials in high surface area form in the last decade and a half
[3-61. One of the techniques developed during this period was
the temperature programmed reaction [7] method of preparing high
surface area compounds from oxide precursors. The technique
offers the advantage of lower synthesis temperatures than the
conventional methods. In addition, the transformation of the
oxide to the carbidelnitride phase is direct, bypassing the metal
phase, which is the most prone to sintering. However, most of
the work on the temperature programmed reaction is focused on the
synthesis of monometallic carbides and nitrides. There is little
work reported on the preparation of high surface area mixed
transition metal nitridesloxynitrides in the literature.
Transition metal carbides and nitrides were found to be active
for a number of hydrocarbon reactions [a]. One of the major
applications of transition metal carbides and nitrides has been
in hydroprocessing.
Petroleum feedstocks is gaining importance with the need to
process heavier resources. Nitrogen removal is always
accompanied by the consumption of excess hydrogen due to the
difficulty involved in the C-N bond scission. The development of
catalysts that are selective to C-N cleavage is an important
goal, and this paper reports an investigation on a new class of
catalysts which is different in structure and properties from the
conventional Ni-MojAl2O3 and Co-Mo/A1203 hydrotreating catalysts.
Removal of nitrogen and sulfur from
998
1
'i
After the initial results by Schlatter, et al., [ 9 ] on quinoline
HDN, most of the hydroprocessing work has been concentrated on
molybdenum nitride catalysts, both supported and unsupported [lo-
141.
nltrogen is partially exchanged by oxygen and a second transition
metal is also introduced in the interstitial compound.
SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION
The bimetallic oxynitrides were prepared by nitriding the
bimetallic oxide precursors using the temperature programmed
reaction technique [15]. The oxide precursor was loaded in a
quartz reactor placed in a furnace (Hoskins S O O W ) . Ammonia
reactant gas was passed over the oxide bed at a flow rate of 1000
cm3/min (68Ox1O2 pmols-1).
was ramped linearly at 5 Kjmin ( 8 . 3 ~ 1 0 -K~s -l) to the final
synthesis temperature (TmaX) and held at that temperature for a
period of time (thold). The effluent gases from the reactor were
analyzed by an on-line mass spectrometer (AmetekIDycor, MAlOO).
Once the reaction was completed, the gas flow was switched to
helium and the reactor was quickly cooled down to room
temperature by removing the furnace. The catalysts were
passivated at room temperature in a 0.5% 02/He gas mixture before
exposure to the atmosphere.
conditions used in the preparation of these materials is
presented in Table 1.
The bulk phase purity of the samples was identified by x-ray
diffraction (XRD) (Siemens Model D500 with a CuKa
monochromatized radiation source). Figure 1 presents the XRD
patterns of the passivated bimetallic oxynitrides. The patterns
did not show any features of the starting oxide material and
moreover, all the patterns indicate that the oxynitrides have a
face centered cubic arrangement. In addition, the linebroadening
of the peaks indicates the presence of small
crystallites. Elemental analysis indicated that the actual
composition of the catalysts was V2.~Mo1.001.7N2.4,
Nb2.0M02.603.0N4.2 and Cr1.0M01.302.3N1.4. N2 physisorption and CO
chemisorption measurements were carried out to obtain the
specific surface area and the number of exposed surface metal
atoms. Prior to surface adsorption measurements, the catalysts
were activated in a flow of 10% H2/He gas mixture at 738 K for 2
h. The surface areas, CO uptakes and the number densities are
summarized in Table 2. The number densities indicated in Table 2
reveal that only a maximum of 14% of the total metal atoms are
available for the chemisorbing molecule. These values are
typical of the interstitial compounds due to the prior occupation
of the sites by N and 0, which were not removed during the
activation process.
REACTIVITY
Experimental runs consisted of testing a series of oxynitride
catalysts for their activity in hydrodenitrogenation (HDN),
hydrodesulfurization (HDS) and hydrodeoxygenation (HDO). The
reactions were carried out in a three-phase trickle-bed reactor
at 3.1 MPa and 643 X.
was loaded, corresponding to a total surface area of 30 m2.
prior to Catalytic testing, the oxynitrides were activated in
flowing hydrogen at 723 K for 3 hours. The commercial Ni-
~o/Al2O3 Catalyst was sulfided in a flow of 10% H2S/H2 gas
mixture. After the activation process, the reactors were cooled
down to 643 K and hydrogen was pressurized to 3.1 MPa. Hydrogen
flow to the reactor was maintained at 150 cm3(NTP)/min (100
pmo1S-l) using mass flow controllers. Liquid feed rate was set
at 5 cm3h-l using high-pressure liquid pumps.
passed over the catalyst bed in a cocurrent upflow mode and out
This paper reports a new family of nitrides, where the
The temperature of the reactor bed
A summary of the synthesis
Typically about 0.2-1 g of the catalyst
The gas and liquid
999
to the liquid sampling valve. The liquid feed composition used
in all the experiments was 3000 ppm S (dibenzothiophene), 2000
ppm N (quinoline), 500 ppm 0 (benzofuran), 20 wt% aromatics (15
wt% tetralin and 5 wt% amylbenzene) and balance aliphatics
(tetradecane). The reactions were carried out for a period of 60
hours. The liquid samples were analyzed off-line by gas
chromatography.
The activity of the catalysts was compared on the basis of equal
surface areas of 30 m* loaded in the reactor. Figure 2 shows a
comparison of the activities of the catalysts for HDN, HDS and
HDO at 3.1 MPa and 643 K. Clearly, the oxynitrides show
considerable activity for the HDN of quinoline. In fact, V-Mo-ON
exhibited higher activity than the commercial sulfided Ni-
MofAl,O, catalyst. All the catalysts showed similar product
distribution and the major hydrodenitrogenated product was
propylcyclohexane. The HDN activity of the catalysts was stable
even after 60 hours on-stream. The HDS activity of the
oxynitrides ranged from 9-25%, with V-Mo-0-N displaying the
highest HDS activity among the oxynitrides tested. The
oxynitrides showed high initial HDS activities, but they
deactivated after about 25 h on-stream. The major product from
the HDS of dibenzothiophene was biphenyl. The oxynitrides were
also active for the removal of oxygen from benzofuran. The HDO
activity ranged from 12-32% and the major deoxygenated product
was ethylcyclohexane. In fact, the V-Mo-0-N showed higher
overall activity than the corresponding monometallic nitrides
1161.
for the removal of sulfur and oxygen from the liquid feed.
X-ray diffraction patterns of the spent catalysts indicated that
the bulk phase purity of the samples was preserved.
did not show extraneous oxide or sulfide peaks indicating that
the oxynitrides were stable towards heteroatoms even after
prolonged exposure at elevated temperatures.
The commercial Ni-Mo/Al2O3 catalyst showed high activities
The patterns
CONCLUSIONS
A new series of catalysts, bimetallic oxynitrides of transition
metals, was prepared in high surface area form. They were found
to be active for the hydrodenitrogenation of quinoline.
Interestingly, V-Mo-0-N displayed higher HDN activity than the
commercial Ni-MO/Al2Oj catalyst. The new catalysts were found to
be sulfur resistant under the reaction conditions. The bimetallic
oxynitrides displayed better activity and stability than the
monometallic nitrides.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Support for this work by Akzo Nobel and the Department of Energy,
Office of Basic Energy Sciences is appreciated.
REFERENCES
1. Toth, L. E., "Transition Metal Carbides and Nitrides",
Academic Press, New York, 1971.
2. Juza, R., in Advances in Inorganic Chemistry and
Radiochemistry", (H. J. EmelGus and A. G. Sharpe, Eds.),
Vol. 9, p. 81, Academic Press, New York, 1966.
3. Volpe, L., Oyama, S. T., and Boudart, M., "Preparation of
Catalysts 111". p. 147, 1983.
4. Volpe, L., and Boudart, M., J. Solid State Chem. 59, 332
(1985) .
5. Volpe, L., and Boudart, M., J. solid State Chem. 59, 348
(1985) .
6 . Ledoux, M. J., Guille, J., Hanzter, S., Marin, S., and Pham-
Huu, C . , Extended Abstracts, Proceedings MRS Symposium,
Boston, Nov 26-Dec 1, p. 135, 1990.
I . Oyama, S. T., Ph.D. Dissertation, Stanford University, 1981.
1000
a .
9.
10.
11.
12.
1 3 .
1 4 .
15.
16.
Oyama, S. T., Catal. Today, 15, 179 ( 1 9 9 2 ) .
Schlatter, J. C., Oyama, S. T., Metcalfe, J. M., III., and
Lambert, J. M., Jr., Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., 27, 1648
( 1 9 8 8 ) .
Lee, K. S . , Abe, H., Reimer, J. A., and Bell, A. T., J.
Catal., 139, 34 ( 1 9 9 3 ) .
Abe, H . , and Bell, A. T., Catal. Lett., 18, 1 ( 1 9 9 3 ) .
Colling, W. C., and Thompson, L. T., J. Catal., 146, 193
( 1 9 9 4 ) .
Nagai, M., and Miyao, T., Catal. Lett., 15, 105 ( 1 9 9 2 ) .
Nagai, M., Miyao, T., and Tuboi, T., Catal. Lett., 18, 9
( 1 9 9 3 ) .
Yu, C. C., and Oyama, S. T., J. Sol. St. Chem., 116, 205
(1995) .
Yu, C. C., Ramanathan, S., Sherif, F., and Oyama, S. T., J.
Phy. Chem., 98, 13038 ( 1 9 9 4 ) .
T a b l e 1. Summary of the Synthesis Conditions
Catalyst Final Temperature Soak Period
Tmax I K thold 1
V-Mo-0-N 1037 0.5
Nb-No-0-N 1063 0 . 3
Cr-Mo-0-N 1013 0 . 3
Table 2 . Results of Surface Adsorption Measurements
Catalyst CO Uptake Surface Area Number Density
pmolg-1 m29-1 x 1015 cm-2
V-MO-0-N 1 6 7 7 4 0 . 1 4
Nb-MO-0-N 1 1 . 2 1 2 1 0.0056
Cr-Mo-0-N 163 90 0 . 1 1
1001
F i g u r e 1.
~~~
20 30 40 50 €Q 70 80 90
20 I degrees
X-ray diffraction patterns of the fresh catalysts.
90
80
70
60 'C 50
0 40 z
30
20
10
0
= HDN
a HDS
0 HDO
r
F i g u r e 2 .
catalysts at 3.1 MPa and 643 K.
Comparison of the HDN, HDS and HDO activities of the
i
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ll
1002
I
SYNTHESIS OF MESOPOROUS MOLECULAR SIEVES AND THEIR APPLICATION
FOR CATALYTIC CONVERSION OF POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
Kondam Madhusudan Reddy and Chunshan Song
Fuel Science Program, Department of Materials Science and Engineering
The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
Mesoporous molecular sieves, AI-MCM-41, hydrogenation, isopropylation,
hydrocracking. polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
Keywords:
INTRODUCTION
Molecular sieves such as Y and ZSM-5 are widely used catalysts in acid-catalyzed reactions for the
production of fuels, petrochemicals, and fine chemicals 11-31, Despite their enormous use as
environmentally safe catalysts, they are limited to convert relatively small molecules as their pore
size is retuicted to nucropore size range (usually 1.4 nm). However, with the growing demand of
technologies for treating heavier feeds, as well as for synthesizing large molecules for producing
commodities and fine chemicals, it is necessary to develop catalysts with wider pores. Recently,
Mobil workers have reported a new series of mesoporous molecular sieves (4.51: MCM-41 is one
of the members of this extensive family of mesoporous series possessing a hexagonal array of
uniform mesopores. Many reports have since appeared on synthesis and characterization of these
new materials (6-101.H owever, information on their catalytic activity is still very limlted. The
pore dimensions of these materials can be tailored (in the range of 1.5-10.0 nm or more) through
the choice of surfactant and auxiliary chenucals as templates and the crystallization conditions in
the synthesis procedure. The BET surface area of these materials IS more than 1000 m2/g with
high sorption capacities of 0.7 cclg and greater. Moreover, these matenals can be synthesized in a
large range of framework SUA1 ratios and therefore c3n develop acid sites of different strength.
Hence, these new mesoporous aluminosilicate molecular sieves, AI-MCM-41, might open new
possihilities in developing catalysts for processing large molecules.
As part of our ongoing project on liquefaction of coal and upgrading of coal liquids, we intend to
use these mesoporous aluminosilicates molexlar sieves as catalysts to upgrade the coal derived
oils to transportation fuels, particularly thermally stable jet fuels. We have studied the synthesis
and characterization of these materials [ I I]. In this paper. we repon some of the results on the
synthesis and their application for the catalytic conversion of model polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbon compounds.
EXPERIMENTAL
The mesoporous aluminosilicate molecular sieves, AI-MCM-4 I , were synthesized hydrothermally
in 100 ml Teflon lined autoclavcs from a mixture of reactants with the following composition:
50Si02-xA120~-2.19(TMA)~0-15.62(CTMA)Br-316w5hHe2re0 ;- 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0. The details
of synthesis are given elsewhere [I I ] . Three series of smples with varying Si/AI ratios. and using
three different aluminum sources (aluminum isopropoxide. pseudo boehmite and aluminum
sulfate) were synthesizcd. Some synthesis parameters and their physical characteristics are shown
in Table 1. The AI-MCM-41 samples were characterized by chemical analysis, X-ray diffraction,
nitrogen adsorption, thcrmogravimetric analysis, and solid state NMR
Prior to catalytic runs, the organic template from the as-synthcsized solids was removed by
calcining the samples in a tubular furnace at 550 OC for one hour in nitrogen and 6 hours in air
flow. The calcined samples were exchanged with ammonium nitrate. The protonated form was
then obtained by calcining these ammonium exchanged samples at 550 UC for 3 hours. Finally,
3wt% Pt was loaded by wet impregnation, with a required amount of hexachloro platonic acid
(AldnchJ solution and the sample in a beaker and evaporating the water at room temperature while
stirring it overnight. The Pt loaded samples were then calcined in air at 450 OC for 3 hours.
Mesoporous molecular sieve catalysts were tested for the following reactions: I ) hydrogenation of
naphthalene and phenanthrene, 2) isopropylation of naphthalene and 3) hydrocracking of I J.5-
triisopropyl benzene. A 30 cc stainless-steel tubing bomb batch reactor was used for all the
experiments. During the reaction, reactors were heated in a fluidized sand-bath under vertical
shaking (240 cycles/min.). All the chemicals were used as supplied. The standard reactor charge
w3s 0.10 g of catalyst and 1.0 g of reactant and other reaction conditions are given in appropriate
Tables. At the end of the reaction, the reactor was quenched in cold water. After collecting the
reaction products in acetone solution, they were analyzed by GC (Perhn-Elmer 8500) using DB-17
fused silica capillary column. The products were identified by GC-MS (HP).
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
Three series of AI-MCM-4 I samples using three different aluminum sources. aluminum
isopropoxide, pseudo boehmite (Catapnl B), and aluminum sulfate. with SUA1 ratios 50, 25, and
12.5 were synthesized. Details are shown in Table 1. The crystallinity, the incorporation of
aluminum in framework and the acidity were studied by XRD, nitrogen sorption. thermal analysis
of n-butylmine on samples, 27Al MAS NMR. The results on the synthesis and charactenzation
were reponed in our earlier paper [I I]. X-ray diffraction patterns showed that all the samples are
well crystallized and phase pure with a very strong peak and three weak peaks 11.21. A typical
XRD Pattern of AI-MCM-41 is shown in Figure I . It was observed from nitrogen sorption and
XRD studies that the samples prepared with aluminum sulfate are less crystalline compared to the
1003
other two series of samples prepared with different aluminum sources. However, the incorporation
of aluminum framework was found to be efficient with aluminum isopropoxide and aluminum
sulfate, compared to pseudo beohmite. The aluminum incorporation was characterized by increase
in the interplanar spacings from XRD and 27Al MAS NMR. The acidity due to the presence of
aluminum in the framework was determined by a thermal analysis of n-butylamine on samples. As
the aluminum incorporation is higher in samples prepared with aluminum sulfate and aluminum
isopropoxide, they have shown better acidity compared to other samples prepared'with pseudo
boehmite [I I].
Catalytic test results in the reactions of hydrogenation of naphthalene and phenanthrene,
isopropylation of naphthalene, and hydrocracking of 1,3,S-triisopropylbenzene are presented in
Tables 2-5. The initial observation is that they are active in these reactions with good conversions.
However, reactions occurred non-selectively as expected, because of the no shape-selective nature
of mesoporous materials with wide pores.
In the case of hydrogenation of naphthalene. conversion was almost hundred percent with all the
catalysts (see Table 2). There was a large amount of unconverted tevalin observed for the MCM-
41 catalysts prepared with pseudo beohmite, whereas for other MCM-41 catalysts the conversion
of tetralin to decalin was almost complete. The r-decalinlc-decalin ratios for all the MCM-41
catalysts are low and in case of the MCM-41 catalyst prepared with pseudo boehmite the ratio is
lower compared to the earlier results reported on mordenite [ 12,131. These results indicate that in
this reaction. the isomerization of c-decalin to r-decalin probably takes place on acid sites. If that
is the case, MCM-41 samples are less acidic as compared to mordenite. hence the r-decalinkdecalin
ratio is low for these materials. Moreover this ratio is lower for the MCM-41 catalyst
prepared with pseudo beohmite because of the poor incorpowtion of aluminum in the framework.
leading to poor acidity.
Table 3 shows the product analyses in hydrogenation of phenanthrene over three different MCM-
41 catalysts. They were all active but product selectivities were different compared to earlier
results reported [ 141; especially sym-octahydroanthracene was formed less, which is an isomerized
product from sym-octahydrophenanthrene. This isomerization was believed to be occurring on
acid sites [ 141. Hence MCM-41 catalysts are not as acidic as other zeolites. especially the MCM-
41 catalyst prepared with pseudo beohmite. Similar observations were reported by earlier authors
[6,81.
The product analyses of isopropylation of naphthalene using propylene are presented in Table 4.
The alkylation over zeolites is known to occur on acid sites. The MCM-4 I catalyst prepared with
pseudo beohmite was not as active ar the other two MCM-41 catalysts. It indicates that the
catalyst prepared with pseudo beohmite is less acidic. which again confirms the poor incorporation
of aluminum in the framework compared to the other two catalysts. From the product analyses it is
also clear that tri and tetra isopropylnaphthalene are formed in large quantities which is a clear
indication of non selective nature of these mesoporous materials compared to other zeolites [ 12,
131. Non selective nature of these mesoporous materials can also be verified from the a and p
substituted product selectivities, which are different from the results obtained on mordenite and Y
zeolites [12,13].
Table 3 also shows the effect of h loading in the reaction of isopropylation of naphthalene. Both
Pt and non h containing catalyst showed more or less similar activity, however, selectivities were
different. The Pt loaded catalyst yielded more tri and tetra substituted isopropylnaphthalenes,
which indicates that the alkylation processes seems to be more efficient with Pr loaded catalysts.
This may be due to the bifunctional nature of the catalyst. In zeolite catalysis, it is a known fact
that the bifunctional catalysts are more susceptible to the coke formation. In these experiments,
because of less reaction time and with limited availability of propylene, deactivation due to coke
has not been noticed. However, with continuous supply of propylene for longer reaction times
there might be a noticeable difference in catalyst stabilities with and without h loading,
In alkylation reactions over zeolites, the type of alkylating agent is known to have an effect. For
example, the alkylation with alchols was found to be less efficlent compared with respective
alkenes [ 131. This could be due to the water formation in the reactions with alcohol and water, that
may be suppressing the activity of acid sites. Similar results were observed with these mesoporous
molecular sieves. The conversion of naphthalene to isopropylnaphthalenes was found to be less
when isopropanol was used as an alkylating agent compared to propylene.
Apart from the hydrogenation and alkylation. hydrocracking is an important reaction in the process
of upgrading the heavy oils. Zeolites are known to be good hydrocracking catalysts with good
activity, selectivity, and stability. Table 5 shows the results of hydrocracking of bulky molecule,
1,3,5 triisopropylbenzene over mesoporous molecular sieves. Both PUAI-MCM-41 and H/AIMCM-
41 were found to be active in this reaction. The main products on WAI-MCM-41 were
mono and di substituird isopropylbenzenes. However, the conversion of Pi loaded catalyst is
100% and products were of lower molecular weight, mainly C& hydrocarbons. This may be due
to the hydrogenation reaction thus leading to further cracking. The conversion of 1,3.5
oiisopropylbenzene was negligible without catalyst at similar conditions.
CONCLUSIONS
We observed that mesoporous molecular sieve catalysts are capable of converting bulky polycyclic
aromatic hydrocarbons. Due 10 the large size of mesopores relative to the substrate molecules,
however, reactions are found to be occurring non-selectively. The efficiency of the mesoporous
1004
I
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I
molecular sieves can be significantly different depending on their synthesis method, especially
with the source of alumjnum used. The catalysts prepared with aluminum isopropoxide and
alumintun sulfate were found to be more active compared to the ones prepared with pseudo
boehmite. n e Pt loading and type of alkylating agent are influential in the conversion of
polycyclic aromatic compounds, as reflected in the product selectivities.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
We ?e grateful to Dr. H. H. Schobert for his encouragement and support. Financial support was
provided by US Department of Energy and US Air Force. We wish to thank Mr. W. E. Harrison
111 of USAF and Dr. S. Rogers of DOE for their support, and Dr. A. Schmitz for assistance in
perfonrung out catalytic mns and GC analysis.
REFERENCES
1. J. E. Naber. K. P. deJone, W. H. J. Stork, H. P. C. E. Kuiuers, and M. F. Post, Stud. in Surf
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
Sci. and Cd., 84 (1994) 2197.
W. F. Hoelderich, M. Hesse, and F. Naumann, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Eng., 27 '( 1988) 226.
W. 0. Haae. Stud. in Surf: Sci. and Catal.. 84 (1994) 1375.
C. T. Cesie, M. E. LeoGowicz, W. J. Roih, J.'C. V&uli, and J. S. Beck, Nature, 359
(1992) 710.
J. S. Beck, J. C. Vartuli, W. J. Roth, M. E. Leonowicz, C. T. Kresge, K. D. Schmjtt,
C. T. W. Chu, D. H. Olson, E. W. Sheppard, S . B. McCullen, J. B. Higgins, and J. C.
Schlenker, J. Am. Chem. Soc , 114 (1992) 10834.
C.-Y. Chen, S. L. Burkett, H.-X Li and M. Davis, Microporous Mater. 2 (1993) 17.
C.-Y. Chen, H.-X Li, and M. Davis, Microporous Mater., 2 (1993) 27.
A. Coma, V. Fornes, M. T. Navarro and J. Perez-Pariente, J. Catal. 148 (1994) 569.
M. Janicke, D. Kumar, G. D. Stucky, and B. F. Chmelka, Stud. in Surf: Sci. and Catal.,
84 (1994) 243.
R. B. Borade, and A. Clearfield, Catalysis Letters, 31 (1995) 267.
K. M. Reddy, and C. Song, submitted for publication.
C. Song, and S. Kirby, Microporous Mater., 2 (1994) 467.
A. D. Schmitz, and C. Song, Fuel Chemistry Division Preprints of 208th ACS Symp.,
Washington D. C., 1994. p.986.
C. Song, and K. Moffatt, Microporous Mater., 1994,2(5), 459.
Figure 1. A typical X-ray powder diffraction pattern of AI-MCM-41 molecular sieves
1.5 2.5 35 4.5 5.5 6.5 7.5 8.5 9.5
Two Thela
Table 1. Synthesis and physical characteristics of mesoporous molecular sieves
SiO2/A1203 (mole ratio) BET surface Pore Size from
Sample Source of AI Input Output k e a (m2/g) sorption (A)
MRK9a AI isopropoxide 100 88.4 1147 27.67
MRK9b AI isopropoxide 50 53.8 1206 28.02
MRKlOa Catapal B 100 95.5 1010 21.92
MRKlOb Catapal B 50 44.3 ____
MRKl la Al sulfate 100 164.6 834 25.38
MRKl lb Al sulfate 50 87.4 ----
-____
--___
I005
Table 2. Naphthalene hydrogenation over Pt/MCM-41 catalysts
Reaction conditions: 0.1 g catalyst, 1.0 g naphthalene, 1000 psi H2 pressure
200 OC temperature and 1 hour reaction time
naphthalene Product distribution (wt%) t-lc-
Catalyst conv. (%) tetralin t-decalin c-decalin total decalins decalins
MRK9b 100.0 0.18 33.15 66.67 99.82 0.497
MRKlOb 99.7 25.50 18.01 56.48 74.49 0.319
MRKllb 100.0 0.00 32.25 67.75 100.00 0.476
Table 3. Hydrogenation of phenanthrene over Pt/MCM-41 catalysts
Reaction conditions: 0.1 g catalyst, 1.0 g phenanthrene, 1500 psi H2 pressure
300 -C temperature and 2 hours reaction time
Product distribution (wt%)
Phenanthrene Conv. (%) 79.61 88.00 66.63
1,2,3,4-tetrahydrophenanthren(eT HP) 7.03 6.84 14.69
9,lO-dihydrophenanthrene (DHP) 41.59 45.47 54.29
sym-octahydrophenanthrene (sym-OHP) 14.82 31.25 13.25
unsym-octahydrophenanthrene (unsym-OHP) 15.27 12.99 9.51
sym-OHNsym-OHP 1.41 0.07 0.09
MRK9h MRKlOb MRKlIb
sym-octahydroanthracene (sym-OHA) 16.70 1.40 7.7 1
tetradecahydrophenanthrenes (TDHP) 3.94 2.03 0.00
Table 4. Isopropylation of naphthalene over MCM-41 catalysts
Reaction conditions: 0.1 g catalyst, 1.0 g naphthalene, 150 psi propylene
200 0C temperature and 2 hours reaction time
Product distribution (wt%)
Catalyst WMRK9b Pt/MRK9b PtlMRKlOb WMRKllb
naphthalene Conv. (%) 92.48 96.62 37.41 90.25
2-isopropylnaphthalene 1 1.82 9.13 24.59 11.57
1-isopropylnaphthalene 16.27 9.88 56.13 20.24
diisopropylnaphthalenes 42.1 1 39.25 16.4 I 42.19
triisopropylnaphthalenes 25.37 34.26 2.51 22.35
tetraisopropylnaphthalens 4.41 7.46 0.29 3.63
2,6-diisopropylnaphthalenes 3.18 4.87 0.80 2.09
2.7 di isopropyl naphthalenes 3.96 3.83 0.77 2.09
Table 5. Hydrocracking of 133-triisopropylbenzene over MCM-41 catalysts
Reaction conditions: 0.1 g catalyst, 1.0 g triisopropylbenzene, 1500 psi H1 pressure
350 0C temperature and 2 hours reaction time
Product distribution (wt%)
Catalyst no catalyst WMRK9b WMRK9b
1,3,5-triisopropylbenzene Conv. (%) 1.02 67.69 100.0
isopropy lbenzene 0.00 19.56 0.0
1,3-diisopropylbenzene 94.20 63.09 0.0
1,4-dUsopropylbenzene 3.30 7.71 0.0
others, mainly C,-C, hydrocarbons 4.10 9.63 100.0
1006
L
?
ZEOLITE-CATALYZED RING-SHFT ISOMERIZATION OF
sym-OCTAHYDROPHENANTHRENE INTO sym-OCTAHYDROANTHRACENE.
EXPERMENTAL RESULTS AND CALCULATED EQUILIBRIUM COMPOSITIONS
Wei-Chuan Lai, Chunshan Song*, Adri van D u d and J. W. de Leeuw!
Fuel Science Program, 209 Academic Projects Building,
The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, U3.A
*Division of Marine Biogeochemistry, Netherlands Institute of Sea Research (NIOZ),
P.O. Box 59. 1790 AB Den Burg, The Netherlands
Keywords: Zeolites. isomerization, octahydrophenanthrene, octahydroanthracene
INTRODUCTION
Phenanthrene and its derivatives are abundant in coal-derived liquids from coal carbonization.
pyrolysis. and liquefaction; however, they are used in industries only to a limited extent despite of
considerable efforts [Song and Schobert. 19931. On the other hand, their isomers, anthracene and
!tS derivatives such as sym-octahydroanthracene (sym-OHA), are more useful materials for
industrial applications. Anthracene and its derivatives may be used as the starting materials for the
manufacturing of anthraquinone (an effective pulping accelerator), pyromellitic dianhydride
(PMDA, the monomer for polyimides such as Du Pont's Kapton), and dyestuffs [Song and
Schoben. 1993, 1995). Thus, it is desirable to conven phenanthrenes to anthracenes.
There has been much research on the catalytic hydroprocessing of phenanthrene under high H2
pressures and at temperatures generally in excess of 623 K [Nakatsuji et al.. 1978; Haynes et al.,
1983; Salim and Bell, 1954: Lee and Salterfield, 1993; Girgis and Gates, 1994; Landau et al.,
1994; Korre et al.. 19951. However, relatively little information about the ring-shift isomerization
of phenanthrenes into anthracenes at lower temperatures is available. It has been shown in our
earlier exploratory work that some chemically modified mordenites and Y-zeolites may selectively
promote the transformation of sym-octahydrophznanthrene( sym-OHP) into sym-OHA [Song and
Moffatt. 1993, 39941. Cook and Colgrove (1994) reponed the acid catalyzed isomeriration of
phenanthrene, anthracene, and sym-OHA under FCC conditions (755 K). The objective of this
work is to clarify the effects of reaction conditions and catalyst properties on the catalytic
isomerization of sym-OHP into sym-OHA. In addition, the Molecular Mechanics (MM3) [Allinger
et al., 19901 calculations were performed lo find the equilibrium coriipositions of sym-OI1P and
qm-OHA, and to establish the upper limit of the catalytic conversion. We wish to establish activity
and selectivity data that could point to an inexpensive way of making anthracene derivatives from
phenanthrene denvatives.
EXPERIMENTAL
The sym-OHA and Aym-OHP chenucals were obtained from Aldrich Chemical Company and TCI
America, respectively, and were used as received. Their purities were analyzed in our laboratory
using gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The
catalysts used in the catalytic isomerization reactlons include: two hydrogen mordenites (HML8 and
HM30A) and two noble metal loaded mordenitcs (WHM3OA and Pd/HM30A). PmM30A and
Pd/HM30A were prepared by incipient wetness impregnation method; Le., the salt of platinum and
palladium were dispersed into the mordenites by incipient wetness impregnation of corresponding
aqueous H2PtC16 or H2PdC14 dissolved in hydrochloric acid. The noble metal loading on the
support was kept at nominally 6 wtR. The metal-loaded catalysts were calcined in air at 723 K for
2 h after being dried in vacuum oven. The details of the preparation and properties of the catalysts
are described elsewhere [Song and Moffatt. 1994; Schmitz et al., 19941.
Catalytic isomerization reactions were carried out in 28-mL horizontal type sbiinless steel tubing
bomb reactors, which were charged with 0.6 mmole of sym-OHP or sym-OHA (0.1 12 9). 1 ml of
1.3.5-trimethylbenzene solvent, and 0.2 g of catalyst, at 473-573 K for 0.15-12 h under an initial
pressure of0.79 MPa UHP N2 or H2. The unifomuty of concentration and temperature inside thc
reactor was obtained by agitating the reactor vertically at 240 cycledmin. After the reaction, the gas
products were collected in a gas bag, and the liquid products were recovered by washing with
acetone. The recovered catalyst was stored in a vial for thermogravimeuic analysis performed later.
The gaseous products were quantitatively analyzed using a Perkin-Elmer Autosystem GC equipped
with two detectors, a thermal conductivity detector (TCD) and a flame ionization detector (FID).
The liquid products were analyzed on an HP 589011 GC coupled with an HP 5971A Mass Selective
Detector (MSD) and quantified by a Perhn-Elmer GC 8500 equipped with an FID. More details
for the analytical procedures may be found elsewhere [Song et al., 1994).
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
~ a l c u l a t e de quilibrium compositions from MM3. The equilibrium compositions of sym-
OHP and sytn-OHA at three temperatures were calculated to establish the theoretical upper linut of
the catalytic conversion. The procedures are as follows. Calculations on the various conformers
present in an equilibrium mixture containing only sym-OHA and sym-OHP were first performed.
In order to obtain the raw geometries for the molecules and to find the different conformers present,
the DELPHI-molecular mechanics program was used with the MM3 force field. The obtained
minimized geometries were used as starting points for the MM3 program. using the MM3 force
field (both the 1992 versions). Only slight differences were found between the optimized DELPHIand
MM3-geomeuies. Five and six different conformers were found for sym-OHA and sym-OHP,
1007
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respectively, as shown in Table 1. Table 1 also shows the calculated heats of formation and
entropies for the different conformations of sym-OHA and sym-OHP at 298 K. The literature. value
of the heat of formation of sym-OHA is -8.89 kcallmol [Pedley et al., 19861. The good agreement
between the literature value (-8.89 kcal/mol) and the calculated one (-9.17 kcal/mol, in Table 1)
indicates that the MM3 force field should be applicable to problems like these. From these data, the
Gibbs free energy Ofsym-OHA and sym-OHP at 298 K could be obtained. In similar fashion, the
Gibbs free energies of these compounds at 473, 523, and 573 K may be calculated by correcting
the heats of formation and entropies in Table 1 for temperatures. From these free energies, the
equilibrium composition of the sym-OHNsym-OHP mixture was calculated. It should be noticed
that one may get different MM3 calculation results from using different estimated thermodynamic
parameters of sym-OHA and sym-OHP. It was found that the error in the MM3 calculations using
current parameters for such kind of mixture compositions is about 10%. The calculated mixture
compositions will be presented later and compared with experimental data following the
presentation of experimental results.
Effectiveness of HMLS. HML8 was studied more extensively than other catalysts in this
work, because it was found to be the best among several zeolitic catalysts in our previous work at
523 K for 2 h [Song and Moffatt, 1993, 19941. Table 2 presents the results of sym-OHP
isomerization over HML8 with sym-OHP as the starting material at three different temperatures
(473, 523, and 573 K) under N2 environment. The purity analysis results of the starting material
was also presented in Table 2. It can be seen that the as-received reactant contains about 91% of
sym-OHP, 2.9% of sym-OHA, 5.5% in total of various hydrogenated phenanthrenes (asym-OHP,
9,10-DHP, 1,2,3,4,4a,IOa-HHP, and 1,2,3,4-THP), and 0.6% of other impurities. The purity
analysis is important, because without this information it is possible that impurities are mistaken as
products. The reactivities of 9.10-DHP and 1,2,3,4,4a,IOa-HHP will be briefly discussed first.
9.10-DHP does not react to a great extent except under severe conditions, e.g., 573 K for 1 h; on
the other hand, 1,2,3,4,4a,lOa-HHP reacts quickly even at a lower temperature, 473 K. The main
reaction of 9,10-DHP, which accounts for about 2.7% of the starting reactant, was believed to be
dehydrogenation to phenanthrene under current reaction conditions. The supporting evidence is
from the fact that the sum of 9,IO-DHP and phenanthrene was relatively constant (about 2.8) for
most of the reaction conditions. Other researchers also suggested the hydrogenation of 9,lO-DHP
to 1,2,3,4-THP [Lemberton and Guisnet, 19841 and asym-OHP [Nakatsuji et al., 19781; however,
these hydrogenation reactions are less likely under the current reaction conditions judging from the
deficiency of hydrogen and the overall product distribution of 1,2,3,4-THP and asym-OHP. To
verify this, experiments need to be performed with 9.10-DHP as the sole reactant. For
1,2,3,4,4a, loa-HHP, the main reactions were believed to include dehydrogenation to 1,2,3,4-
THP, and ring-contraction isomerization and ring-opening cracking.
The major reaction of interest in this work is the isomerization of sym-OHP to sym-OHA; Table 2
shows that HML8 was an effective catalyst for this reaction because it could afford over 90%
selectivity with reasonable conversion (about 50%). In order to approach equilibrium conditions,
relatively long residence times have been employed, e.g., 12 h at 473 K, 4 h at 523 K, and 1 h at
573 K. From Table 2, the reactions seemed to have reached the asymptotic equilibrium after 12 h at
473 K, 2 h at 523 K, and 0.25 h at 573 K. In other words, the yield of sym-OHA reached its
maximum at those reaction conditions, and longer reaction times at 523 K and 573 K only served to
decrease the sym-OHA yield because of enhanced competitive side-reactions or secondary reactions
such as ring-opening cracking and subsequent dealkylation (to form mainly alkyltetralins),
conventional ring-contraction isomerization, and dehydrogenation. The selectivity towards sym-
OHA suffered severely when the reaction temperature was increased to 573 K, when side-reactions
became significant.
Table 3 compares the pseudo-equilibrium yields from MM3 calculations and experimental results at
three temperatures. There exists discrepancy between the calculated data and the experimental
results. The MM3 calculations indicate that the reaction temperature has a moderate effect on the
equilibrium ratio of sym-OHA to sym-OHP. For example, the ratio changes from 2.56 to 1.95
when the temperature is increased from 473 K to 573 K. However, the experiments show that
although the reaction temperature affects the reaction rate and selectivity, the equilibrium ratio is not
sensitive to the reaction temperature. For example, the equilibrium ratios are all close to 1.3 for the
temperature range studied. Table 3 shows that the pseudo-equilibrium yields of sym-OHA from
experiments are considerably lower than the calculated equilibrium yield from MM3 method. There
might be some explanations for the discrepancy. The calculation assumes that sym-OHP and sym-
OHA are the only reacting species in the reaction system. However in the real experimental system
since there are other reactants as well as by-products, the actual equilibrium state now depends on
more simultaneous chemical reactions. For the current reaction system, at higher temperatures,
e.g., 523 K and 573 K, there are significant side reactions as can be seen from the smaller sym-
OHA selectivity or the decreasing sum of sym-OHP and sym-OHA. Other simultaneous reactions
might include the reactions due to the solvent used (1.3.5-trimethylbenzene) as well. Since many
reactions are involved, the composition is a resultant of all the operative reactions and is determined
by the thermodynamic equilibrium for the total system. In short, the presence of such simultaneous
reactions have shifted the equilibrium state of sym-ow and sym-o~.
Some experiments using purc syni-OHA (rather than sym-OHP) as starting material were also
performed to check the reversibility of the ring-shift isomerization and to confirm the experimentally
obtained pseudo-equilibrium composition (Table 3). The results of sym-OHA isomerization over
HML8 with sym-OHA as the starting material at three temperatures under N2 environment are given
1008
i
f
I
in Table 4. The results demonstrate the reversibility of the ring-shift isomerization. Besides, it Was
shown, again that HML8 was quite selective for the ring-shift isomerization except under severe
condmns. From Table 4, the reactions seemed to have reached pseudo-equilibrium after 4 h at
473 K, 0.5 h at 523 K, and 0.15 h at 573 K judging from the fact that the yield of sym-OHP
reached its maximum at those reaction conditions. The pseudo-equilibrium compositions of sym-
OHA and sym-OHP and their ratios reported in Table 4 are very close to those reported earlier (see
Tables 2 and 3); for example, the equilibrium ratio is not sensitive to the reaction temperature and is
close to 1.3. From the data in Tables 2-4, on the basis of reaction rate alone, it appears desirable to
operate the reaction at a high temperature level such as 573 K. However, an examination of the
reaction selectivity reveals that the selectivity towards sym-OHA drops rapidly at 573 K due to
significant side-reactions. Taking both rate and selectivity into consideration, it seems that 523 K
for 0.5 h might be the desirable condition for the sym-OHP isomerization over HML8.
Effectiveness of HMJOA. HM30A was used to examine the possible effect of dealumination
on the ring-shift isomerization in comparison to HML8. The Si02/A1203 molar ratios of HML8
and HM30A are 17 and 35, respectively. Table 5 presents the results of sym-OHP isomerization
over HM30A with sym-OHP as the starting material at two temperatures (473 and 523 K) under
N2. Tables 2 and 5 suggest that both catalysts reacted comparably near the pseudo-equilibrium
condition at 473 K for 12 h; this could be seen from the similar conversion level, selectivity, and
sym-OHA to sym-OHP ratio. However, at 523 K, they behaved slightly different. The Hmordenites
with relatively larger SiO2/A12O3 ratio, i.e., HM30A. seem to exhibit higher activity for
sym-OHP conversion but lower selectivity towards sym-OHA plus THA. The comparison of
selectivity could be seen at similar conversion level, 51.9%. where the selectivity is 91.9% and
83.5% for HML8 and HM30A, respectively. In short, HM30A shows promising results at 473 K
in terms of both activity and selectivity, but is not as selective as HML8 at 523 K. More
experiments with additional catalysts will be needed to clarify the effect of dealumination on the
ring-shift isomerization.
Effectiveness of PtIHMJOA and Pd/HM30A. The motivation of using these two noble
metal loaded mordenites on the ring-shift isomerization comes from the promising activity and
selectivity results of HM30A at 473 K as well as our study on conformational isomerization of cisdecalin
using the same two catalysts [Lai and Song, 19951. It was found that Pt- and Pd-loaded
mordenites are very effective catalysts under H2 atmosphere for the conformational isomerization of
cis-decalin even at 473 K. Because of their high activity and selectivity on the isomerization of
naphthalene derivatives, W 3 O A and PdlHM3OA were also used in this study. Table 6 presents
the results of isomerization over these two catalysts with sym-OHP or sym-OHA as the starting
material at 473 K under 0.79 MPa of H2 or N2.
The effect of noble metals can be seen by comparing the results of HM30A (PS42, in Table 5) and
those of Pt- and Pd-loaded HM30A (PS47 and PS48, respectively, see Table 6). Mordenites
loaded with noble metal exhibits much higher activity but lower selectivity towards hydrogenated
anthracenes. The activity for sym-OHP conversion is: Pd/HM30A > Pt/HM30A > HM30A. The
lower selectivity towards sym-OHA for both PdMM30A and Pt/HM30A is due to the significant
dehydrogenation reactions to form THA and THP or even phenanthrene under N2 environments.
The results are not beyond expectation because both Pt and Pd are well known active metals for
dehydrogenation and hydrogenation. Hydrogenation was not apparent because of the H2 deficient
environment, since reactions were performed under N2. The dehydrogenation activity drops in the
order Pd > Pt.
As can be seen from Table 6, changing the gas environment from N2 to HZ significantly affects the
final product distribution because the dehydrogenation under N2 was replaced with hydrogenation
under Hz. Figure 1 presents the temporal plots of major products from sym-OHP isomerization
using Pt/HM30A and Pd/HM30A at 473 K under excess Hz (8 mmole). Figure 1 provides
information about the reaction pathways. For example, for the catalyst Pt/HM30A, it can be seen
that sym-OHA was the primary product; its yield reached a maximum at 0.3 h and then decreased
due to enhanced hydrogenation. On the other hand, PHA and PHP appeared to be the secondary
products resulting from hydrogenation of OHA or OHP. Table 6 shows that for W 3 0 A after
0.3-h reaction time, the ratio of sym-OHA to sym-OHP approached a constant value of 1.28, which
was very close to the pseudo-equilibrium mole ratio determined from the study of HML8 and
HM30A. All these results suggest that sym-OHA formation be the major primary reaction and
hydrogenation of OHP and OHA did not occur until sym-OHA and sym-OHP reached pseudoequilibrium.
In addition, it was demonstrated that Pt/HM30A shows promising activity and
selectivity at 473 K under H2. Optimal products may be reached in a short period of time, e.g.,
0.15-0.3 h. Longer reaction time under H2 environment beyond the pseudo-equilibrium stage is
not beneficial to the production of sym-OHA, due to pronounced hydrogenation to form deeper
hydrogenation products such as perhydrophenanthrene and perhydroanthracene .
The other noble metal catalyst, Pd/HM30A, showed slightly different results. Pd again shows
higher activity but lower selectivity towards hydrogenated anthracenes. Its superior hydrogenation
ability might have changed the reaction pathways. For example, instead of being a secondary
product only, PHP might as well be a primary product too. The hydrogenation and isomerization
reactions might have proceeded in parallel instead of in series for Pd/HM30A under H2
environment. The supporting evidence is that the ratio of sym-OHA to sym-OHp did not approach
the pseudo-equilibrium mole ratio until very late in the reaction when sym-OHP was almost
completely consumed. The results seem to suggest that such strong ability of dehydrogenation and
1009
hydrogenation might make Pd a less favorable catalyst for the ring-shift isomerization of sym-OW.
The results of sym-OHA isomerization over F't/HM30A and Pd/HM30A with sym-OHA as the
starting material under Hz environment, are also given in Table 6. The results demonstrate the
reversibility of the ring-shift isomerization and the important role of deeper hydrogenation.
SUMMARY
The MM3 calculations were performed to find the equilibrium compositions of sym-OHP and sym-
OHA and were compared to experimental results using four catalysts including HML8, HM30A,
PtMM30A. and PdMM3OA. The MM3 calculations showed a moderate effect of the reaction
temperature on the equilibrium ratio of sym-OHA to sym-OHP. However, the experiments showed
that although the reaction temperature affected the reaction rate and selectivity, the equilibrium ratio
was not sensitive to the reaction temperature. The presence of simultaneous side reactions was
believed to have shifted the equilibrium state. The rate and selectivity of the isomerization reactions
depended on both the metal and support type of the catalysts, but the equilibrium ratio was not
sensitive to the catalysts used and was close to a constant value of 1.3. The activity for sym-OHP
conversion is: PdMM30A > PaM30A > HML8 = HM38. Longer reaction time beyond the
pseudo-equilibrium stage was not beneficial to the production of sym-OHA, especially for
PdRfM30A and Pt/HM30A due to the pronounced hydrogenation or dehydrogenation. Pt/HM30A
showed promising activity and selectivity at 473 K under H2 with optimal reaction time of 0.15-0.3
h. The desirable condition for HML8 was 523 K for 0.5 h. HM30A showed promising results at
473 K, but was not as selective as HML8 at 523 K. Too strong an ability of dehydrogenation and
hydrogenation might make Pd/HM30A a less favorable catalyst for the ring-shift isomerization of
sym-OHP.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
We are grateful to Dr. T. Golden and Dr. V. Schillinger for providing the mordenites samples, and
to Dr. A. Schmitz of PSU for preparing the noble metal catalysts. C.S. would like to thank Prof,
H. H. Schobert and Prof. P. B. Weisz for their encouragement.
REFERENCES
Allinger, N. L.; Li, F.; Yan, L.; Tai, J. C. J. Computational Chem. 1990,11, 868-895.
Cook, B. R.; Colgrove, S. G. Prepr.-Am. Chem. Soc., Div. Pet. Chem. 1994, 39 (3), 372-378.
Girgis, M. J.; Gates, B. C. Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 1994,33, 1098-1106,
Haynes, H. W. Jr.; Parcher, J. F.; Helmer, N. E. Ind. Eng. Chem. Process Des. Dev. 1983.22,
Korre, S. C.; Klein, M. T.; Quann, R. J. Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 1995.34, 101-117.
Lai, W.-C.; Song, C. Prepr.-Am. Chem. Soc.. Div. Fuel Chem. 1995.40, in press.
Landau, R. N.; Korri, S. C.; Neurock, M.; Klein, M. T. In Catalytic Hydroprocessing of
Petroleum and Distillates. M. C. Oballa and S. S. Shih, Eds., Marcel Dekker, Inc.: New York,
1994, pp421-432.
Lee, C. M.; Satteriield, C. N. Energy & Fuel 1993, 7, 978-980.
Lemberton, J.-L.; Guisnet, M. Appl. Catal. 1984, 13, 181-192.
Nakatsuji, Y.; Kubo, T.; Nomura, M.; Kikkawa, S. Bull. Chem. Soc. Jpn. 1978,51, 618-624.
Pedley, J. B.; Naylor, R. D.; Kirby, S. B. Thermochemical Data of Organic Compounds. 1986,
Chapman and Hall: London.
Salim, S. S.; Bell, A. T. Fuel 1984.63, 469-476.
Schmitz, A. D.; Bowers, G.; Song, C. In Advanced Thermally Stable Jet Fuels. Technical Report,
U.S. Department of Energy, DE-FG22-92PC92104-TPR-9O,c tober 1994, H. H. Schobert et
al., Eds., pp37-42.
Song, C.; Moffatt, K. Prepr.-Am. Chem. Soc., Div. Pet. Chem. 1993.38 (4). 779-783.
Song, C.; Schobert, H. H. Fuel Processing Technology 1993.34, 157-196.
Song, C.; Lai, W.-C.; Schobert, H. H. Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 1994,33, 534-547.
Song, C.; Moffatt, K. Microporous Materials 1994,2,459-466.
Song, C.; Schobert, H. H. Prepr.-Am. Chem. Soc.. Div. Fuel Chem. 1995,40 (2), 249-259.
401-409.
'
Table 1. The calculated heats of formation and entropies at 298 K
Conformation AHf (kcahole) S (caVmol-K)
sym-octahydroanthracene
double chair (symmetric) -9.17 105.54
double chair (asymmetric) -9.17 105.54
boatchair -6.08 ins 21
double boat (symmetric) -3.00 107.48
double boat (asymmetric) -3.03 107.47
sym-cctahydrophenanthrene
double chair (symmetnc) -7.98 106.33
double chair (asymmetric) -7.57 106.89
boatchair I -5.05 108.78
boat-chair U -4.83 108.76
double boat (symmetric) -1.72 108.82
double h a t (asymmetric) -1.62 108.71
1010
Table 2. sym-OHP isomerization over Hh4L8 with sym-OHP as the starting material
Expt. Temp. Time Roducts (W% of feed) x c ~ ~ 1 . dR atio
no. (0 (h) sym- m a sy m- q m - 9.10. HHPa THPa Phen.a Othersb (46) (%) sym-OHA
OHA OHP OHPa DHPa sym-OHP
0.w 2.90 91.04 0.32 2.67 1.74 0.77 0.07 0.50 0.03
PS6 473 0.50 14.70 0.11 77.99 0.35 2.78 0.43 1.40 0.15 2.10 13.1 91.2 0.19
PS8 473 1.00 28.10 0.21 64.38 0.34 2.59 0.52 1.20 0.20 2.45 26.7 95.3 0.44
ps9 473 2.00 42.30 0.26 50.35 0.36 2.57 0.22 1.16 0.20 2.58 40.7 97.5 0.84
PSI4 473 4.00 49.64 0.33 42.25 0.35 2.60 0.04 1.21 0.17 3.41 48.8 96.5 1.17
PSI5 473 6.00 51.44 0.45 40.20 0.33 2.54 0.04 1.29 0.16 3.55 50.8 96.4 1.28
PS41 473 12.0 52.15 0.42 40.07 0.35 2.62 0.04 1.24 0.17 2.94 51.0 97.4 1.30
PSI0 523 0.25 35.90 0.48 55.62 0.36 2.53 0.51 1.21 0.20 3.18 35.4 94.5 0.65
PSI 523 0.50 48.76 1.0040.70 0.30 2.53 0.12 1.67 0.33 4.59 50.3 93.1 1.20
PS3 523 2.0049.32 1.3039.11 0.22 2.23 0.03 1.65 0.49 5.65 51.9 91.9 1.26
PSI8 523 4.00 47.74 1.56 38.42 0.13 1.95 1.88 0.75 7.57 52.6 88.2 1.24
PSI3 573 0.15 44.96 1.21 41.20 0.20 2.20 0.12 2.03 0.60 7.48 49.8 86.8 1.09
PS7 573 0.25 45.50 1.95 36.58 0.10 1.50 0.27 2.26 0.80 11.04 54.5 81.8 1.24
PS4 573 0.50 42.67 2.13 35.64 0.15 1.75 0.12 3.70 1.12 12.72 55.4 75.6 1.20
PS5 573 1.00 33.62 3.20 27.19 0.10 0.80 0.12 3.98 1.53 29.46 63.9 53.1 1.24
a THA = 1.2,3.4-tetrahydroantene; asym-OHP = 1,2,3.4,4a,9,10,10a-octahydrophenan~ne;
9,lO-DHP = 9, IOdihydrophenanthrene; HHP = 1,2,3,4,4a, loa-hexahydmphenanlhrehrene:
THP = 1.2,3.4-teuahydrophenanthrene; Phen. = phenanthrene.
others include products of ring-contraction isomerization and ring-opening cracking and subsequent dealkylation.
X = conversion of sym-OHP (weight % of feed).
This row presents the purity of as-received sym-OHP.
* Selectivity to sym-OHA plus THA, defined as the percentage of sym-OHP conversion.
e
Table 3. Pseudo-equilibrium composition of the sym-OHAlsym-OHP mixture
Temperature MM3 calculation Experimental dataa
(K) OHA ; OHP Ratio OHA : OHPb Ratio
473 71.9% : 28.1% 2.56 52.2% : 40.1% 1.30
523 68.7% : 31.3% 2.19 49.3% : 39.1% 1.26
573 66.1% : 33.9% 1.95 45.5% : 36.6% 1.24
a Data from Table 2 12 hat 473 K, 2 hat 523 K. and 0.25 h at 573 K.
Other products make up the remainder
Table 4. sym-OHA isomerization over HMLA with sym-OHA as the starting material
Expt. Temp. Time Products (wt% of feed) Xa Se1.b Se1.c Ratio
no. (K) 01) sym- THA sym- HHP THP Others (%) (95) (9%) sym-OHA
OHA OHP sym-OHP
PS27 473 1.00 61.44 0.23 35.52 0.18 0.08 2.54 38.6 92.1 92.8 1.73
PS28 473 4.00 55.07 0.40 41.22 0.14 0.10 3.07 44.9 91.7 92.3 1.34
PS33 473 8.00 55.42 0.39 40.56 0.16 0.09 3.38 44:6 91.0 91.5 1.37
PS25 523 0.25 56.18 0.67 37.95 0.25 0.20 4.75 43.8 86.6 87.6 1.48
PS26 523 0.50 53.36 0.76 40.69 0.27 0.30 4.62 46.6 87.2 88.5 1.31
PS32 523 2.00 51.38 1.04 39.91 0.19 0.57 6.91 48.6 82.1 83.6 1.29
PS29 573 0.15 50.91 1.26 39.15 0.23 0.92 7.53 49.1 79.8 82.1 1.30
PS30 573 0.25 45.97 1.67 36.39 0.18 1.57 14.22 54.0 67.4 70.6 1.26
PS31 573 0.50 40.65 2.28 32.36 0.16 2.52 22.03 59.4 54.5 59.0 1.26
a X = convenjon of sym-OHA (weight % of feed, sym-OHA).
b Selectivity to sym-OHP. defined as the percentage of sym-OHA conversion.
C Selectivity to sym-OHP plus HHP and THP. defined as the percentage of sym-OHA conversion.
Table 5. sym-OHP isomerization over HM30A with sym-OHP as the staning material
products (W% of feed) Xa Se1.b Ratio
. Expt. Catalyst Temp. Time
no. type 0 (h) sym- THA sym- asym- 9JO- HHP THP Phen. Others (46) (5%) sym-OHA
OHA OHP OHP DHP sym-OHP
0.03
ps42 HM30A 473 12.00 52.57 0.64 39.03 0.30 2.39 0.14 1.40 3.53 52.0 96.7 1.35
Psi6 HM3OA 523 0.50 44.47 1.72 39.19 0.21 1.55 0.14 2.34 1.05 9.33 51.9 83.5 1.13
psi7 HM30A 523 1.00 42.87 2.06 35.90 0.12 1.20 0.11 2.54 1.29 13.91 55.1 76.2 1.19
0.00C 2.90 91.04 0.32 2.67 1.74 0.77 0.07 0.50
1011
Table 6. Ring-shift isomerization over noble metal loaded mordenites with sym-OHF' or sym-OHA
as the starting material at 473 K under 0.79 MF'a of H2 or N2
Catalyst wHM30A Pd/HM30A
Time (h) O.Wf 0.30 0.15 0.30 1.00 2.00 2.00 0.30 0.15 0.30 2.00 2.00
Staning reactant OHP OHP ow ow OHP OHA OHP OHP OHP OHP OHA
0.79-MPa N2 or H2 N2 H2 H2 H2 Hz HZ N2 H2 H2 H2 H2
Expt. no.
Roducls (wt% of feed)
sym-OHA
?nA
PHAa
sym-OHP
asym-OHP
9.10-DHP
IMP
THP
Phenanthrene
PHPa
Others
x ( W b
SelectivityC( So)
Selectivity" (%)
Selectivitve (So)
PS47 PS45 PS43 PS36 PS39 PS38 PS48 PS46 PS44 PS37 PS40
2.90 42.52 47.82 48.07 40.62 34.76 37.21 38.10 30.17 26.53 8.01 4.03
2.57 3.70 9.94 12.63 12.06 10.00 16.72 33.77 40.1 I
91.04 33.07 40.16 38.28 31.72 27.13 29.44 29.99 36.17 24.80 6.47 3.21
0.32 1.14 2.62 3.53 3.67 3.65 3.61 1.95 4.23 3.47 1.55 0.82
2.67 0.71 0.01 0.03 0.13 0.14 1.47 0.01
1.74 0.02 0.02 0.06 0.06 0.03 0.02 0.02 0.08
0.77 10.45 0.12 0.91 0.36 12.66
0.06 3.35 5.20
0.08 5.25 5.06 11.53 15.12 13.24 0.07 16.94 25.34 45.85 47.40
0.50 0.89 1.55 1.30 2.31 5.44 3.89 1.54 2.46 3.06 4.35 4.43
58.0 50.9 52.8 59.3 63.9 62.8 61.1 54.9 66.2 84.6 96.0
81.7 93.3 92.6 80.3 69.9 72.4 67.9 60.9 46.0
46.9 3.3
74.5 53.6
7.77 0.20 0.05 9.00
sym-OHA/sym:OHP 0.03 1.29 1.19 1.26 1.28 1.28 1.26 1.27 0.83 1.07 1.24 1.26
a PHA = pxhydroanthracene; PHP = perhydrophenanthrene.
X = conversion of sym-OHP or sym-OHA (weight % of feed).
Selectivity to sym'-OHA plus "HA and PHA. defined as the percentage of sym-OHP conversion.
Selectivity to sym-OHP. defined as the percentage of qm-OHA conversion.
e Selectivity to hydrogenated phenanthrenes, defined as the percentage of sym-OHA conversion.
This column presents the purity of as-received sym-OHP.
(a) PtlHM30A
50 -
40 -
30 -
20 -
I sym-OHA
11 sym-OHP
0.0 0.5 1 .o 1.5 2.0
Time (h)
50 (b) PdlHM30A -
0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0
Time (h)
Figure 1. Temporal plots of major products from sym-OHP isomerization at 473 K under H2.
1012 i
I
ADAMANTANES FROM PETROLEUM, WITH ZEOLITES
L. Deane Rollmann, Larry A. Green, Robert A. Bradway,
and Hye Kyung C. Timken
J
i
Mobil Research and Development Corporation, Paulsboro Research
Laboratory, PO Box 480, Paulsboro, NJ 08066
Keywords: Adamantane, zeolite, hydrocracking
ABSTRACT
Circumstances have been found under which adamantanes are significantly
concentrated and, it is believed, formed in a petroleum refinery, and catalysts have
been identified which are effective in recovering these compounds from a complex
mixture of similarly boiling hydrocarbons. In an example detailed below, nearly 10%
adamantanes, largely methyl-substituted derivatives, were found in and isolated from
a refinery stream by selectively removing the non-adamantanes with a Pt-containing
zeolite Beta catalyst.
INTRODUCTION
'
Despite their discovery in the early 1930s in the heavy Hodonin crude of
eastern Europe (1 ), adamantanes occasioned relatively little interest until a facile
chemical synthesis was reported, in 1957 (2). Although notable as part of the
diamondoids found in certain natural gas condensates (3, 4), adamantanes appear
never to exceed about 0.02-0.04% in crudes (5), a concentration too low for economic
recovery.
Unsubstituted adamantane was first prepared by the AICI3-catalyzed
isomerization of hydrogenated cyclopentadiene dimer, tetrahydrodicyclopentadiene
(THDCP), an approach which was quickly expanded to include a number of methyl
adamantanes (6). Solid acid catalysts such as silicaalumina (7) and HY zeolite (8)
were also able to effect the THDCP-adamantane transformation, but none was
apparently competitive in yield and stability with AIC13 and/or AIBr3.
of adamantanes was a change in feedstock, from THDCP to a variety of tricyclic
perhydroaromatics (9). The effective catalyst was an AIX3-HX-hydrocarbon mixture,
where X = chloride or bromide. The products were methyl or polymethyl
adamantanes, each having the same molecular weight as the feed tricycloalkane,
often in a yield of some 60% or more. An example is shown in Figure 1. Subsequent
work showed that numerous acid catalysts would convert tricyclic naphthenes
(tricycloalkanes) into methyl adamantanes, namely, chlorinated PVAI2O3 (1 I), silicaalumina
(12). silica-alumina with Group Vlll metal (13), and REWREY, usually with
Group Vlll metal (1 4).
exist in a crude in the form of high boiling polycyclic naphthenes and aromatics. In a
modern refinery, these precursors, boiling above about 3OO0C, commonly encounter
acid catalysts in both a fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) unit and in a hydrocracker (HDC).
Thus, the present experiments focused on HDC recycle streams.
EXPERIMENTAL
(16). Framework SiO~/A1203ra tios were approximately 50 for Beta and 200 for 'ultrastable"
Y (USY). For better comparison with the USY, a sample of the Beta catalyst
was dealuminated to a similar framework SiO2/ AI203 ratio and designated "low
activity" Beta (LoAct-Beta). In the experiments, all catalysts contained alumina binder,
all were 24/60 mesh, all contained 0.5% Pt or Pd, and all were brought to initial
operating conditions (232% and 2.5 mPa) in flowing hydrogen. The experiments
were conducted in a downflow tubular reactor, at 2.5 mPa, with a Hn/hydrocarbon
(H21HCJ mole ratio of 3 - 4, at temperatures of 230" 7 330°C, and at 1 - 4 WHSV (weight
hourly space velocity). Day-to-day Catalyst aging was not significant in these
experiments.
In the present context, the most significant post-1960 advance in the synthesis
Based on the chemical synthesis work, potential precursors to adamantanes
.
Two zeolites were used in the experiments, Beta (15) and "ultrastable" Y (USY)
1013
Gas chromatography (gc) results were obtained with a 60m DB-1 capillary
column (J&W Scientific, 0.25 mm id, 0 . 2 5 ~fil m). The gc-mass spec analyses were
performed on a Kratos Model MSBORFA, with a Hewlett Packard Series II 5890 gc and
a 30m DB-5HT column (0.32 mm id, 0.11 film). Ionization was by electron impact.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Refinery streams selected for testing are shown in Table 1. Since most methyl
and ethyl adamantanes boil between 180°C and 240°C. streams were selected to
bracket that range, namely, a 135O - 21OOC HDC heavy naphtha, a 175' - 375% HDC
recycle stream, a 175' - 26OOC portion of the HDC recycle stream, and a 120' - 245°C
hydrotreated kerosene, all from a refinery sourced largely with heavy crude. In addition,
a 175O - 290°C analog of the above HDC recycle stream was obtained from a refinery
sourced with light, conventional crude. Crude type was a consideration since, in
general, heavy crudes are enriched in polycyclic alkanes relative to light, "conventicfinal"
crudes (1 7).
Isolation of adamantanes. The adamantanes shown in Figure 2a were
obtained when the heavy crude HDC recycle stream described in Table 1 was passed
over the WLoAct-Beta catalyst at 325OC and 1.2 WHSV. Approximately 90% of the
feed, which boiled above 175°C was converted to lower boiling, mostly gasolinerange
hydrocarbon. The remaining high-boiling material contained over 70%
adamantane and methyl adamantanes. Gas chromatography (gc) and gc-mass spec
showed the presence of diamantanes as well.
Comparison of Figures 2a and 2b showed the striking similarity between this
potential refinery product and a mixture of naturally occurring adamantanes recovered
from a deep gas condensate (4). Despite the understandable difference in carbonnumber
and isomer distribution, every major peak in the product from Pt/LoAct-Beta
corresponded to a peak in the condensate adamantanes. Gc-mass spec confirmed
the molecular weights indicated in Figure 2.
Adamantanes free from diamantanes were obtained by using a lower boiling
portion of the HDC recycle stream. When the above experiments were repeated with a
175' - 260°C fraction of the HDC stream, this time using the high-activity Pt/Beta (50
Si02lA1203 ratio) at 260°C and 2.0 WHSV, conversion to lighter hydrocarbon was
86%. The product "mixed methyl adamantanes" (MMAs) were virtually
indistinguishable from those obtained with full-range HDC recycle, and material
boiling higher than the MMA's (e.g., diamantanes) was c 0.1% of the product.
MMA yield was substantial. With the 175' - 260°C feed, 9.1 g of MMA was
obtained from 100 g of feed, representing 32% of the 3RN's. A second experiment,
under slightly milder conditions, yielded 9.3 g of MMA, or 33%. The product MMA,
separated from lower boiling hydrocarbons by distillation, was a colorless liquid with a
density of 0.89 glcc.
That the MMAs were associated with the recycle stream was further aflirmed by
a "blank" experiment with Pt/Beta and the 135" - 210°C HDC heavy naphtha, at 255°C
and 1.9 WHSV. The product containing only 0.6% MMA's, essentially all of which
were bridgehead-methyl isomers boiling between 180° and 2OO0C.
Yield of adamantanes was much lower in a refinery operating on light,
conventional crude. When a 1 :1 blend of the light crude HDC recycle and the HDC
heavy naphtha in Table 1 was processed over high-activity WBeta, the product
contained only 0.9 % MMA's.
A final experiment was conducted to probe for adamantanes in the crude supply
to the heavy crude refinery. The feed was the hydrotreated kerosene, a stream which
had never contacted a zeolite catalyst but which, given its 120° - 245°C boiling range,
should contain any MMA's in the crude. As shown in Table 1, it analyzed 0.6% 3RNs.
When processed over both PdlBeta and PUBeta, the products contained 0.4% MMA's.
This result strongly suggests that, while some portion of adamantanes did enter the
refinery with the crude, the bulk was being formed, either in the HDC (and possibly
FCC) unit or in these noble metaVzeolite experiments.
Formation of adarnantanes. A model compound was used to probe
possible formation of adamantanes over Pt and PdlBeta catalysts under the conditions
Of these experiments. Based on the adamantane literature and on commercial
1014
f
f
availability, perhydrofluorene (PHF) was the selected for most of the experiments.
Boiling at 253OC, it should convert to 1,3,5-TriMA, as depicted in Figure 1.
The PHF to 1.3.5-TriMA conversion process was largely absent over zeolite
Beta, for reasons which will be discussed below. Dissolved at 10% in HDC heavy
naphtha and processed over high-activity WBeta at 265% and 1.6 WHSV, the yield of
MMA's based on PHF was less than 5%. (PHF was 100% converted.) The very small
amount of new MMA's in the product had methyl or ethyl groups on non-bridgehead
Cabons, and little or none of the "end" product, 1,3,5-TriMA, was formed. A similarly
low MMA yield was obtained with phenanthrene, a molecule which might be expected
to hydrogenate and isomerize to 1,3,5,7-TetMA over a noble metaVzeolite catalyst.
Choke of zeolite. Beta was selected for the first experiments because it is a
member of a class called "large-pore' zeolites (18). a class which includes zeolite Y.
The Beta pores, like those of Y, are formed from 12-membered rings of linked silicon
and aluminum oxide tetrahedra. The opening of those pores in Beta is an elliptical 6.4
x 7.6 A, while those of Y are a circular 7.4 A (19). Unsubstituted adamantane, a
spherical molecule with a Van der Waals diameter of 7.4 A, is known to penetrate the
Pores of zeolite Y (8), but should have difficulty penetrating Beta, whose critical pore
dimension is only 6.4 A. Thus Beta was the zeolite of choice for isolating
adamantanes. It is noteworthy, with respect to this approach to adamantanes, that
MMA's had been isolated earlier by hydrocracking narrow-boiling, laboratory crude
extracts over 10% Pt-on-diatomite, at temperatures of about 430°C (20).
Zeolite Y, while also effective in isolating adamantanes, was much more
effective than Beta in generating them, as shown by experiments with PHF. When the
PHF experiment described earlier was repeated over Pdp/ at 590°C and 1.7 WHSV,
the product contained 3.5% MMA's which, when corrected for the heavy naphtha
contribution. represented an approximately 27% yield based on PHF. Gc-mass spec
showed four new non-bridgehead products, all C13 MMA's, and 1,3,5-TriMA was
enhanced in concentration relative to the other bridgehead isomers. PHF. a C13
molecule, was 100% converted.
The PHF experiments demonstrated size-selective differentiation between
zeolites Y and Beta, and they strongly suggested that some portion of the
adamantanes isolated from these refinery streams were formed in the HDC unit and
were only being concentrated in the experiments with Pt and Pd/Beta.
Higher severe experiments with Pd/Beta further demonstrated the sizediscriminating
ability of this zeolite. When the contact time between HDC heavy
naphtha and Pd/Beta was increased, the smallest of the MMA's were converted,
namely, unsubstituted adamantane and 1 -MA. The larger MMA's presumably could
not enter the pores of zeolite Beta and were essentially unconverted. With PcUY, at the
same HDC heavy naphtha conversion levels, the relative reactivity relationships were
reversed. The larger MMA's were preferentially converted.
CONCLUSIONS
These results show that adamantanes, while present in crudes, can both be
formed and concentrated in certain refinery operations, most notably in an HDC unit,
and that their amount depends on crude source, catalyst, refinery configuration, and
operating conditions. A level of some 10% adamantanes is not unexpected in the
175O - 26OOC portion of the HDC recycle stream in a refinery sourced by heavy crude.
These adamantanes can be isolated very effectively from such streams by mild
hydrocracking Over large-pore zeolite catalysts, such as zeolite Beta.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
assistance and to M. Granchi, B. Hagee. M. Nicholas, K. Peters, R. Quann, and W.
Rogers for helpful input and advice. Samples of deep gas diamondoids were
provided by C. Chen and D. Whitehurst.
REFERENCES
Special thanks go to W. Weimar and F. Daugherty for excellent laboratory
I . Landa, S., and Machacek, V., Coll. Czech. Chern. Comrn., p, 1 (1933).
2. Schleyer. P. von R.. J. Am. Chem. Soc., a,32 92 (1957).
3. Sokolova. I. M., Berman, S. S., Abryutina. N. N.. and Petrov. A. A.. Khim. Technol.
Topl. Masel, 5.7 (1989). Chem. Abst., m, 81021.
1015
4.
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6.
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9.
Wingert, W. S., Fuel, a,37 (1 992).
Petrov, A. A,, "Petroleum Hydrocarbons,' (Springer-Verlag. Berlin, 1984) p. 93.
Fort, R. C., Jr., and Schleyer, P. von R., Chem. Rev., M, 277 (1964).
Plate, A. F., Nikitina, 2. K., and Burtseva. T. A., Neftekhimiya.1. 599 (.1961.). Ch em.
Abst., z, 4938a.
Lau, G. C., and Maier. W. F., Langmuir, 9, 164 (1987).
Schneider, A., Warren, R. W., and Janoski, E. J., J. Am. Chem. SOC., M, 5365
(1964).
10. &hneider, A,, Warren, R. W., and Janoski, E. J., in "Proceedings, 7th World Pet.
11. Johnston, D. E., McKervey, M. A., and Rooney, J. J., J. Am. Chem. SOC., u, 2798
12. Bagrii, E. I., and Sanin, P. I., US Patent 3,637,876 (January 25, 1972).
13. Landa, S., and Podrouzhkova. V., Petrol. Chem. USSR, 14,135 (1974).
14. Honna, K., Shimizu, N., and Kurisaki. K., US Patent 3,944,626 (March 16, 1976).
15. Wadlinger, R. L., Kerr, G. T., and Rosinski, E. J., US Patent 3,308,069 (1967).
16. Breck, D. W., "Zeolite Molecular Sieves,' (R. F. Krieger, Malabar, FL.1989) p. 507.
17. Tissot, B. P.. and Welte, D. H., 'Peroleum Formation and Occurrence," (Springer-
18. Higgins. J. B., Lapierre, R. B., Schienker, J. L., Rohnan, A. C., Wood, J. D., Kerr.
19. Meier. W. M.. and Olson. D. H.. Zeolites. 12. 1 H 992).
Cong., Mexico City," 5, 427 (1967).
(1 971).
Verlag, New York. ed. 2, 1984) p. 390.
G. T., and Rohrbaugh, W. J.. Zeolites, 8, 446 (1988).
20. Yakubson, Z: V., Aref'ev; 0. A.; and PetrorA. A,, Netekhimiya, u, 345 (1973).
Chem. Abstr., Bt 11 6756.
Table 1.
Boiling ranges and three-ring naphthene (3RN) contents of
refinery streams tested for adamantanes.
ciu!%Ka . . m'
Heavy crude HDC recycle stream 175 - 375 24
Fraction boiling below 260' (46 %) 175 - 260 28
Heavy crude HDC heavy naphtha 135- 210 1.2
Light crude HDC recycle stream 175 - 290 3.4
Heavy crude hydrotreated kerosene 120 - 245 0.6
By mass spectrometry
1016
Overall: perhydrofluorene 1,3,5-trimethyladamantane +
C13H22 ',,HZ
Figure 1. A simplified reaction scheme for the preparation of 1.3,5-trimethyl.
adamantane from perhydrofluorene (10).
1-MA
1,3,CTflMA Et4.1 4
CI 4
I ,3,5,7-TetMA a Et- C15 2a
n
2b
Figure 2. (a) Gc trace snowing adamantanes isolated from 175" - 375°C heavy
crude HDC recycle by processing over'Pt/Beta. (b) Adamantanes recovered from a
deep gas condensate. Asterisks in 2a indicate peaks which match those in 2b and
which have MMA molecular weights by gc-mass spec.
1017
EOL~T&CATALYZED CONFORMATIONAL ISOMERIZATION OF Cis-
DECAHYDRONAPHTHALENE. REACTION PATHWAYS AND ~ T I C S .
Wei-Chuan Lai and Chunshan Song*
Fuel Science Program, 209 Academic Projects Building,
The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA.
Keywords: Zeolites, isomerization, decahydronaphthalene, kinetics
INTRODUCTION
It was shown in literame that decalin (DHN) may be one of the potential endothermic jet fuels that
can serve as the primary heat sink to cool the hot surfaces and system components [Donath and
Hess, 1960; Lander and Nixon, 1987; Taylor and Rubey, 19871. Commercial decalin solvents
from industrial hydrogenation processes consist of almost equimolar mixtures of cis- and trans-
DHN. Although the physical properties of these two isomers are similar, their chemical properties
are different. One example is their difference in thermal stability at high temperatures. We have
previously shown that as jet fuel components, trans-DHN is superior to cis-DHN for high
temperature application because the former is much more stable at high temperatures [Song et al.,
19921. The excellent thermal stability at high temperatures is desirable for future high Mach
aircraft. Besides, trans-DHN has the desirable ability of inhibiting the solid deposit formation from
jet fuels and their components at high temperatures [Song et al., 1994al. For example, adding 50
vol% trans-DHN to a JP-8P fuel, n-tetradecane, and n-butylbenzene thermally stressed at 723 K for
4 h significantly reduced the deposit formation from 3.1 to 0.1 wt%, from 3.0 to 0.1 wt%, and
from 5.6 to 0.0 wt%, respectively. Although cis-DHN also has some potential industrial
applications, it is desirable to convert cis-DHN to trans-DHN for fuel stability consideration at high
temperatures.
There has been much research on the catalytic hydrocracking or dehydrogenation of decalin under
high pressures and at temperatures generally in excess of 673 K [Ritchie and Nixon, 1967; Shabtai
et al., 1979; Constant et al., 1986; Mostad et al., 1990a,b; Nimz, 1990; Sousa-Aguiaret al., 19941.
However, relatively little information about the conformational isomerization of cis-DHN into trans-
DHN at lower temperatures is available. Petrov et al. (1977) reported the isomerization of cis- and
trans-DHN on a nickel catalyst in the temperature range of 393-453 K. They claimed that the
isomerization took place only in the presence of hydrogen. Our earlier exploratory work has shown
that some mordenites and chemically modified zeolites may promote the isomerization of cis-DHN
into trans-DHN at 523 K for 2 h under N2 environment [Song and Moffatt, 1993, 19941. This
work extended previous exploratory studies on the catalytic isomerization of cis-DHN to trans-
DHN. The objective of this work is to examine the effects of reaction conditions as well as catalyst
properties on the catalytic reaction. An overall kinetic model for the catalytic reaction was proposed
and empirical equations were presented to predict the selectivity.
EXPERIMENTAL
The chemicals, cis-DHN, trans-DHN, and DHN (an almost equimolar mixture of cis- and trans-
DHN) were obtained from Aldrich Chemical Company and were used as received. Their purities
(>99%) were analyzed in our laboratory using gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatographymass
spectrometry (GC-MS). The six catalysts used in the catalytic isomerization reactions include:
a hydrogen Y zeolite (HY), a metal ion-exchanged Y zeolite (LaHY), a hydrogen mordenite
(HM30A). and three noble metal loaded mordenites (Pt/HM30A, Pd/HM30A, and WHMZOA).
The noble metal loaded mordenites were prepared by dispersing the salt of platinum or palladium
into the mordenites by incipient wetness impregnation method. The noble metal loading on the
support was kept at nominally 6 wt%. The details of the preparation and properties of the catalysts
are described elsewhere [Song and Moffatt, 1994; Schmitz et al., 19941.
Catalytic isomerization reactions were carried out in 28-mL horizontal type stainless steel tubing
bomb reactors, which were charged with 1 g of cis-DHN, trans-DHN, or DHN (7.23 m o l ) and
0.2 g of catalyst, at 473-548 K for 0.15-8 h under an initial pressure of 0.79 MPa UHP N2 or Hz.
The reactor was agitated vertically at 240 cycles/min to ensure the uniformity of concentration and
temperature inside the reactor. After the reaction, the gas products were collected in a gas bag and
were quantitatively analyzed using a Perkin-Elmer Autosystem GC equipped with two detectors, a
thermal conductivity detector (TCD) and a flame ionization detector (FID). The liquid products
were recovered by washing with acetone and were analyzed on an HP 589011 GC coupled with an
HP 5971A Mass Selective Detector (MSD) and quantified by a Perkin-Elmer GC 8500 equipped
with an FID. The catalyst was recovered and stored in a vial for thermogravimetric analysis
performed later. More analytical details may be found elsewhere [Song et al., 1994bl.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Calculated composition of equilibria. The equilibrium compositions of trans-DHN and cis-
DHN at several temperatures were calculated to establish the theoretical upper limit of the catalytic
conversion. The equilibrium constant (K) is related to the Gibbs energy change (AGO) by Q. (1)
InK=- - AGO
RT
Using the data in Reid et al. (1987) for a binary mixture system of cis-DHN and trans-DHN, we
have determined the general expression for the equilibrium constant as a function of temperature as
shown in Q. (2)
1018
R In K = + 14.83 In T - 0.0365 T + 1.885x10-’ T2 - 4.49~10.T~3 - 85.2 (2)
where R is the gas constant (8.3 14 J/mol-K) and T is the temperature in K. The computed heat of
reaction, equilibrium constant, and composihon are shown in Table 1. It should be noticed that
because of the exponential nature of Equation 1, the calculated results highly depend on the
thermodynamic parameters used. For example, if the Gibbs energy was off by just 5-lo%, the
estimation error for the equilibrium constant at 473 K may be as large as 16-3570. The calculated
mixture compositions will be compared with experimental data following the presentation of
experimental results.
Effectiveness of zeolitic catalysts. Table 2 shows the products distribution from catalyzed
isomerization of cis-Dm using I-g commercial DHN (an almost equimolar mixture of cis- and
trans-isomers) as starting reactant at 473 or 523 K under an initial pressure of 0.79 MPa UHP H2
Or N2. Pt- and Pd-loaded mordenites, i.e., F’UHM30A, Pt/HM20A, and Pd/HM30A, are very
effective catalysts under H2 atmospherz for the conformational isomerization of cis-DHN to trans-
DHN even at low temperature, 473 K. The conversion selectivity towards trans-DHN reached
nearly 100%; in other words, there were almost no side-products accompanying the isomerization.
Take -30A as an example. The experimental final product composition of 92.3% trans-DHN
and 7.3% cis-DHN at 473 K as shown in Table 2 is very close to the calculated equilibrium
composition (95.3% trans-DHN, 4.7% cis-DHN), which is shown in Table 1. Although Pt- and
Pd-loaded mordenites were effective catalysts under H2 atmosphere, they became less effective
under N2 atmosphere (see Table 2). W 3 0 A i s a better catalyst than Pd/HM30A at 473 K under
N2 atmosphere in terms of conversion and trans-DHN selectivity although they are almost equally
effective under H2. It is interesting to look at the yield change of tetralin, which initially existed as
an impurity (0.7 wt%), under different gas environment. Tetralin was completely hydrogenated
into decalin under H2 environment because of the hydrogenation ability of Pt and Pd. On the other
hand, the noble metals under N2 served to dehydrogenate the decalin to tetralin and thus increased
the yield of tetralin.
For the other three catalysts studied, HY, LaHY, and HM30A. they are much less effective than hand
Pd-loaded mordenites, and do not react at all at 473 K. It is also interesting to note that
although the effectiveness of F‘t- and Pd-loaded mordenites depends on the gas environment (H2 or
N2). H2 has no impact on the performance of LaHY. The data in Table 3 seems to show that the
hydrogen Y zeolitc (HY) performed about as well as the metal ion-exchanged Y zeolite (LaHY),
and HM30A is the least effective one among the catalysts studied.
Reaction pathways and kinetic data. We further investigated the performance of LaHY and
HY intending to get the kinetic data, These isomerization reactions were carried out using 1 g of
cis-DHh’ instead of DHN mixture, and 0.2 g of catalyst, at 508-548 K for 0.15-8 h under an initial
pressure of 0.79 MPa UHP N2, The experimental results are shown in Table 3. Isomerization is
the dominant reaction under the conditions employed. The dominant products are two types of
isomers: trans-DHN (from conformational isomerization) with as high as 81% selectivity (defined
as the ratio of molar yield of the product to the conversion), and other decalin isomers from ringopening
or ring-contraction isomerization. Although cracking products are not shown in Table 3,
they are in general small (less than 4% selectivity) except under severe conditions such as at 538-
548 K for 1 h. There was no apparent dehydrogenation reaction from decalin to tetralin observed
judging from the gradually decreasing yield of tetralin, which initially existed as an impurity in cis-
DHN (0.27 wt%).
Figure 1 presents the trans-DHN selectivity vs cis-DHN conversion plots for LaHY and HY
catalysts at four different temperatures. There are a few features that may be pointed out from
examining Table 3 and Figure 1. First, the more complete data in Table 3 seem to indicate that HY
performs slightly better than LaHY in terms of criteria such as activity and selectivity. This
observation is somewhat different from what we said earlier that they perform equally well judging
from the data in Table 2 where commercial decalin was used as the starting material. Second,
selectivity towards ?runs-DHN decreases with increasing temperature. This is not unexpected since
the isomerization from cis-DHN to trans-DHN is exothermic, 13212 Jlmol (95 Jig or 3.16 ,
kcal/mol) at 523 K (our calculation in Table I). Third, the product (trans-DHN) selectivity
decreases with increasing conversion level under isothermal condition, and displays a concave
downward behavior, which could be empirically fitted by a second degree polynomial as
demonstrated later. The trend of selectivity vs conversion in Figure 1 provided useful information
about the reaction pathways. It implied that the reactions proceeded through a parallel-consecutive
network [Bond, 19871.
Based on the previous observations, a simple reaction pathway model for the catalytic reaction of
cis-DHN to products was proposed. It should be noted that readers interested in more detailed
mechanisms from cis to trans isomers may refer to the review by Weitkmp (1968). The overall
reaction is modeled as the parallel-consecutive kinetic scheme shown in Figure 2. The
isomerization between cis- and trans-DHN was known to be a reversible process; thus the
interconversion between them was also included in Figure 2. However, our experimental data
using both cis- and trans-DHN have shown that the forward reaction from cis- to trans-DHN is
much faster than the backward reaction, i.e., kl >> kl. In addition, for the reaction condltions
studied, the reactions were taken to be approximately first order. With these assumptions, the rate
equations may be written as the following:
1019
&% = - (kl + k2) A
dt
dt
dt
= kl A - k3 B
&= k;? A + k3 B
Equations 3-5 may be solved to give
A/& = exp [-(kl+k2) t] = exp [- k tl
C = A0 - A - B
(6)
(7)
(8)
B/Ao = [kl/(kl+k;?-k3)1 texp (-k3 t) - exp (- k 01
Because we are mainly interested in the yield of trans-DHN and only limited data are available in the
current work, we did not intend to find all the kinetic parameters. Instead, we used the
experimental data to find the lumped rate constant k (equal to kl+k;? in Eq. 6) and then developed
empirical equations to predict the product yield of trans-DHN. The procedures are described as
follows. First, the rate constant k was determined by using Eq. (6) for all the experiments shown in
Table 3. Then, the rate constant (k) was correlated by the Anhenius law as shown in Eq. (9)
k = A* e-Ea I RT (9)
where A' (h-I) is the frequency (or preexponential) factor, Ea is the apparent activation energy
(kcalhol), and R is the gas constant (kcal mol-' K-l). The Ea and A values determined from
Arrhenius plots are as follows:
for HY Ea = 49.9 kcdmol and A' = 6.03 x 10' h-' (10)
for LaHY Ea = 54.6 kcdmol and A* = 3.36 x h-' (11)
Third, empirical equations were developed to predict the product yield of rrans-DHk Based on the
results in Figure I, we proposed that the selectivity of trans-DHN could be presented by a second
degree polynomial as shown in Eq. (12)
Selectivity of tr~ns-DHN= a1 + a;?X + a3 X2 + a4 T + a5 X T (12)
where X is the cis-DHN conversion, T is the temperature in K, and ai (i=l, ..., 5) are the empirical
parameters to be found. Using the data in Table 3, we have determined the parameters ai as
follows:
for HY Sel. = 1.938 + 0,779 X - 0.285 X2 - 0.00228 T - 0.0012 X T (13)
for LaHY Sel. = 1.534 + 2.745 X - 0.082 X2 - 0.00146 T - 0.0054 X T (14)
In order to check the reliability of these equations in predicting the conversion and selectivity,
predictions based on equations 6, 10, 11, 13, and 14 are compared with experimental results.
Figures 3 and 4, respectively compare the experimental selectivity and yield of trans-DHN to the
values predicted from the empirical equations for both catalysts. The line corresponding to exact
agreement is drawn as a diagonal. It is clear from Figures 3 and 4 that the predicted values are
generally in good agreement with experimental values over a wide range of conversion.
SUMMARY
This work presented some exploratory studies on the effects of reaction conditions as well as
catalyst properties on the catalytic isomerization of cis-DHN to trans-DHN. The theoretical
equilibrium compositions of trans-DHN and cis-DHN at several temperatures were calculated and
compared with experimental data. The catalytic reactions were studied under N;? or H;? environment
using HY, LaHY, HM30A. Pt/HM30A, Pd/HM30A, and PtmM20A. Pt- and Pd-loaded
mordenites are very effective catalysts under Hz atmosphere for the conformational isomerization of
cis-DHN to trans-DHN at 473 K; however, they are less effective under N;? atmosphere.
PUHM30A is a better catalyst than PdMM30A at 473 K under N2 atmosphere in terms of
conversion and trans-DHN selectivity although they are almost equally effective under H;?. HY,
LaHY, and HM30A are much less effective than Pt- and Pd-loaded mordenites, and their
performance was not affected by H;?. Besides, they do not react at all at 473 K. HY performs
slightly better than LaHY, and HM30A is the least effective one among the catalysts studied.
Selectivity towards fruns-DHN decreases with both increasing temperature and increasing
conversion level (under isothermal condition). A simple reaction pathways model containing
parallel-consecutive kinetic scheme was proposed. The Ea and A* values for the cis-DHN
conversion were determined from Arrhenius plots. Empirical equations capable of predicting
product yields were also developed. In short, equations 6, 10, 11, 13, and 14 may be used to
predict reaction conversion and major products.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
We are grateful to Prof. H. H. Schobert and Prof. P. B. Weisz for their encouragement and
support, and to Ms. Cindy Chan of PSU for carrying out many of the catalytic experiments.
Funding was provided by U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Air Force. We wish to thank Mr.
W. E. Harrison III of USAF and Dr. S. Rogers of DOE for their support.
1020
REFERENCES
Bond, G. C. Heterogeneous Catalysis: Principles and Applications. Second Edition. 1987, Oxford
University Press: Oxford. OD 52-53.
Constant, W.*D.; Price, G. L..McLaughlin, E. Fuel 1986.65, 8-16.
Donath, E. E.; Hess, M. Chemical Engineering Progress. April 1960,56 (4), 68-71.
Lander. H. R.: Nixon. A. C. Preor.-Am. Chem. Soc.. Div. Pet. Chem. 1987.32 (2). 504-5 1 1.
Mostad, H. B.: Gis, T. U.; Ellestad, 0. H. Applied catalysis 1990a, 58, 105:117..
Mostad, H. B.; Riis, T. U.; Ellestad, 0. H. Applied Catalysis 1990b, 63, 345-364.
Nim, M. Zeolites 1990.10. 297-300.
PetrOV, L.; Angelova, L.; Shopov, D. Bokl. Bole. Akad. Nauk 1977,30 (I), 85-88.
Reid, R. C.; Prausnitz, J. M.; Poling, B. E. The Properties of Gases & Liquids. Fourth Edition.
Ritchie, A. W.; Nixon, A. C. Prep.-Am. Chem. Soc.. Div. Pet. Chem. 1967, 12 (3). 117.
Rober,ts, R. M.; Madison, J. J. J. Am. Chem. SOC. 1959.81, 5839-5839.
Schmitz, A. D.; Bowers, G.; Song, C. In Advanced Thermally Stable Jet Fuels. Technical
Repon. U S . DeDarIment of Enerav. DE-FG22-92PC92104-TPR-9O,c tober 1994, H. H.
1987, McGraw-Hill Book Company: New York, N.Y.
-.
Schobert et al., Eds., pp37-42.
Shabtai, J.; Ramakrishnan, R.; Oblad, A. G. In Thermal Hydrocarbon Chemistry; Obald, A. G.;
Davis. H. G.: Eddineer. R. T.. Eds.: Advances in Chemism Series 183: American Chemical
Society Washingtln, D. C.,.19791 pp 297-328.
1655- 1663.
Song, C.; Lai, W.-C.; Schobert, H. H. Prepr.-Am. Chem. Soc., Div. Fuel Chem. 1992,37 (4).
Song, C.; Moffatt, K. Prepr.-Am. Chem. Soc., Div. Pet. Chem. 1993.38 (4), 779-783.
Song, C.; Lai, W.-C.; Schobert, H. H. Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 1994a, 33, 548-551.
Song, C.; Lai, W.-C.; Schobert, H. H. Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 1994b, 33, 534-547.
Song, C.; Moffatt, K. Microporous Materials 1994,2, 459-466.
Sousa-Aguiar, E. F.; Pinhel da Silva, M.; Murta Valle, M. L.; Forte da Silva, D. Prepr.-Am.
Taylor, P. H.; Rubey, W. A. Prep.-Am. Chem. Soc., Div. Pet. Chem. 1987,32 (2). 521-525.
Weitkamp, A. W. In Advances in catalysis and Related Subjects. D. D. Eley, H. Pines, and P. B.
Chem. Soc., Div. Pet. Chem. 1994,39 (3). 356-359.
Weisz, Eds. Academic Press: New York and London. 1968, Volume 18, ppl-110.
Table 1. Calculated heat of reaction, equilibrium constant and composition for
a binary mixture system of cis-decalin and trans-decalin
Temperam Heat of reaction Equilibrium Composition (wt %)
0 AH (J/mol) conStanla cis-DHN rmnrDHN
473 - 13205.8 20.5 4.65% 95.35%
508 -132 IO. 1 16.3 5.79% 94.21%
523 ~ 13212.0 14.9 6.30% 93.70%
538 -13213.7 13.7 6.82%. 93.18%
548 - I32 14.6 12.9 7.17% 92.83%
573 -13215.7 11.4 8.06% 91.94%
623 , -13210.6 9.1 9.87% 90.13%
673 -13192.9 7.6 1 I .69% 88.31%
723 . I3 160.2 6.4 13.48% 86.52%
a) Equilibrium constant for the reaction: cis-DHN c1 trans-DHN
K= [trans-DHN]
[cis-DHN]
Table 2. Catalyzed isomerization of cis-decalin (starting reactant is 1-g commercial decalin)
under an initial pressure of 0.79 MPa UHP Hz or Nz
Catalyst Temp. Time Gas Product (wt % of fed) tnmdcir xc Se1.d
Ype (K) fi) tm-DHN cis-DHN Tetralin Othersb ratio (%)
n na 48.34 50.62 0.70 0.34
0.41 12.7
0.46 12.8
0.55 11.5
1.88 1.9
1.23 - 1.3
0.30 0.95
14.44 3.5
15.42 3.5
LaHY 523 2.0 H2 65.79 16.73 0.59 16.89 3.9
HM30A 523 2.0 N2 53.02 31.60 0.38 15.00 1.7
a) This row presents the purity of as-received commercial decalin including 0.34% n-decane.
b) Unreacted n-decane plus products of ring-contaction and ring-opening reactions.
C) Conversion of cis-decalin (weight % of feed).
a) Selectivity to rranr-decalin, defined as a fraction of cisdecalin conversion.
43.4 1.00
43.4 1.00
42.7 1.00
17.2 0.82
8.2 0.75
0 -
31.6 0.56
31.8 0.53
33.9 0.52
19.0 0.25
\
f WM30A 473 2.0 H2 92.34
Pd/HM30A 473 2.0 H2 92.31
PUHMZOA 473 8.0 H2 91.50
PmM30A 473 2.0 N2 62.40
pd/HM3OA 473 2.0 N2 54.50
LaHY 473 2.0 N2 48.29
HY 523 2.0 N2 65.92
LaHY 523 2.0 N2 65.15
7.25 0
7.23 0
7.95 0
33.46 2.26
42.43 1.84 '
50.73 0.68
19.04 0.60
18.82 0.61
1021
Table 3. Catalyzed isomerization of cis-decalin (starting reactant is 1-g
cis-decalin) under an initial pressure’of 0.79 MPa UHP N2
Catalvst: 0.2 e of LaHY
temperature (K)
residence timea (min)
reaction timeb (min)
product yieldC (wt 96)
nanC-DHN
cis-DHN
rrm-/cis-DHN ratio
cis-DHN conversionC
rate constant, k (h-l)
trm-DHN selectivity
temperature (K)
residence timea (min)
reaction timeb (min)
product yieldC (wi %)
rrMs-DHN
cis-DHN
trans-lcis-DHN ratio
cis-DHN conversionc
. -
508 508 508 508 523 523 523 523 538 538 538 548 548 548
60 120 240 480 30 60 120 120 9 18 60 9 18 60
54 114 234 474 25 55 115 115 4 13 55 5 14 56
7.4 11.5 22.7 43.0 20.4 29.0 47.7 46.3 11.7 32.7 50.4 24.2 37.9 42.5
90.5 85.2 70.8 42.8 72.0 60.1 29.4 32.5 83.5 51.4 10.2 61.2 31.2 4.7
0.08 0.13 0.32 1.00 0.28 0.48 1.62 1.42 0.14 0.64 4.94 0.40 1.21 9.08
9.1 14.4 28.8 56.8 27.6 39.5 70.2 67.1 16.1 48.2 89.4 38.4 68.4 94.9
0.11 0.08 0.09 0.11 0.78 0.55 0.63 0.58 2.62 3.02 2.45 5.83 4.92 3.19
0.80 0.79 0.79 0.76 0.73 0.73 0.68 0.69 0.72 0.68 0.56 0.63 0.55 0.45
Catalyst: 0.2 g of HY
508 508 508 523 523 523 538 538 538 538 548 548 548
120 240 480 30 60 120 9 I8 30 60 9 I8 30
I14 234 474 25 55 115 4 13 25 55 5 14 26
21.1 47.6 57.0 23.1 46.1 52.7 20.7 34.6 51.9 54.5 35.8 47.8 50.3
73.9 37.8 23.0 69.3 36.8 25.6 71.6 51.1 19.4 7.4 45.9 23.1 10.2
0.28 1.26 2.48 0.33 1.25 2.06 0.29 0.68 2.67 7.35 0.78 2.07 4.93
25.8 61.8 76.6 30.3 62.9 74.0 28.0 48.5 80.3 92.2 53.7 76.5 89.4
rate constant. k (h-l) 0.16 0.25 0.18 0.87 1.08 0.70 4.91 3.06 3.89 2.78 9.16 6.19 5.17
rrm-DHN selectivity 0.81 0.77 0.74 0.76 0.73 0.71 0.73 0.71 0.64 0.59 0.67 0.62 0.56
a)
b)
c)
Reactor residence time in sand bath preheated to reaction temperature.
Corrected reaction time (reactor residence time minus heat-up time).
Based on the initial amount of cis-DHN.
0.7 -
0.5 1 +
0 508K(LaHY)
e 508K(HY)
A 523K(LaHY)
A 523 K (HY)
0. 5 38K(LaHY) 538 K (HY)
-t 548 K (LaHY) ” 548K(HY)
0.4
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0
cis-Decalin conversion
Figure 1. trans-Decalin selectivity vs cis-decalin conversion plots for LaHY and HY
catalysts at four different temperatures.
1022
I
I
I
/
Figure 2. Proposed overall reaction pathways for
the catalytic reaction of cis-decalin.
0.9 -
0.8 -
0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9
trans-DHN selectivity (Experimental)
Figure 3. Predicted versus measured values of trans-decalin selectivity
for the catalytic isomerization of cis-decalin using HY
and LaHY at 508-548 K for 9-480 min.
.
9*
a
2
b
.Ih
0.6 -
0.5 -
0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7
trans-DHN yield (Experimental)
Figure 4. Predicted versus measured values of trans-decalin yield
for the catalytic isomerization of cis-decalin using HY
and LaHY at 508-548 K for 9-480 min.
1023
SOXAL" PILOT PLANT DEMONSTRATION
AT NIAGARA MOHAWK'S DUNKIRK STATION
Peter K Strangway
Research and Development Deparhnent
Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation
Syracuse, New York 13202
Keywords: SOXAL" Process, SO, Emissions Control, Regenerable FGD System
INTRODUCTION '
The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 made it necessary to accelerate the development of scrubber systems
for use by some utilities burning sulfur-containing fuels, primarily coal. While many types of Flue Gas
Desulfunzatlon (FGD) systems operate based on lime and limestone scrubbing, these systems have drawbacks
when considered for incorporation into long-term emissions control plans. Although the costs associated with
disposal of large amounts of scrubber sludge may be manageable today, the trend is toward increased disposal
costs. Many new S0,conml technologies are being pursued in the hope of developing an economical regenerable
FGD system that recovers the SO, as a saleable commercial product, thus d m i z i n g the formation of disposal
waste, Some new technologies include the use of exotic chemical absorbents which are alien to the utility industry
and utilities' waste treatment facilities. These systems present utilities with new environmental issues. The
SOXALTMp rocess has been developed so as to eliminate such issues.
The objective of the nominal 3 Mw SOXAL pilot plant at Niagara Mohawk's Dunkiuk Power Station was to
demonstrate the technical and economic feasibility of this regenerative FGD process to remove SO, from the flue
gas of a coal-fired boiler. The key demonstration component was the integration of a bipolar membrane system
with proven sodium scrubbing and steam shipping technologies. Previously, bipolar membrane systems had been
commercially proven in applications unrelated to flue gas desulfurization.
Sodium alkali scrubbing of the type used in the SOUL process is an accepted and proven method for removing
SO, from gaseous streams. It is the system of choice in many industrial applications due to its lower capital
requirements, higher S0,removal efficiencies, and low maintenance costs. A large number of sodium scrubbers
have been operated successfully at industrial and utility sites. The main drawback of such systems is the higher
cost of the sodium scrubbing solution versus the reagents required for calcium-based systems. The SOXAL
process minimizes the cost of sodium scrubbing hy regenerating the scrubbing solution for reuse while
simultaneously recovering the sulfur as a saleable product.
PROCESS DESCRIPTION
The SOXAL FGD process has four major unit operations which are illustrated schematically in Figure I :
I .
2.
3.
4.
The primaryreactions in the sodium sulfite (NqSO,) scrubber are as follows: S0,removal is accomplished by
the reaction ofthe S0,with NqSO, in the scrubbing solution to form sodium bisulfite (NaHSO,). In addition,
aportion of the NqSO, in the scrubbing solution is oxidized to sodium sulfate (NqSO, ) by reaction with oxygen
(0,)in the flue gas stream. The NqSO, can be recovered in a saleable crystalline form. Regenerationo f the
spent scrubbing solution is achieved in the primary bipolar regeneration unit which is shown schematically in
Figure 2. Each cell has a bipolar membrane and a cation selective membrane. The bipolar membranes separate
the water molecules into hydrogen (H') and hydroxyl (OH) ions, and NaHSO, is converted to NqSO, h
addition, sodium ions ma") migrate across the cation selective membrane into the base compartment. These
beeome associated with OH-ions and form NaOH. Most ofthis NaOH reacts with NaHSO, to form NqSO, for
recycle to the scrubber. The HSO; anions that remain in the acid compartment associate with H+ ions from the
. .
The prescrubber removes chlorides, fluorides and residual particulates by water scrubbing.
The sodium sulfite scrubber removes the S0,from the flue gas.
The bipolar membrane cell stack regenerates the spent sodium bisulfite solution.
The steam stripper removes the SO, from the sulfurous acid.
bipolar membrane to form sulfurous acid (H2S03). The pdally sahkited H$03 stream is continuously
withdrawn from the cell stack and is subsequently decomposed into S0,gas and water molecules in the steam
stripper.
PILOT PLANT FACILITIES
The 3 MW SOUL pilot plant demonstration f d t y was installed at Niagara Mohawk's Dunkirk Power Station
on Lake Erie near Buffalo, NY. This station has two (2) 100 MW and two (2) 200 MW tangential coal-fued
boilers. The slip-stream of the flue gas for the 3 MW pilot plant was extracted after the induced draft fan of Unit
No. 4. During the demomation, this boiler was fd with bituminous coal from Pennsylvania and West Virginia
which had an average sulfur cantent of 2. I %, ash content of 7. I%, and heating value of 13, IO0 Btu per pound.
The 3 MW SOXAL pilot plant was located adjacent to Unit No. 4 to minimize the amount of ductwork required
to provide the slip-stream of flue gas to the scrubber and to return the processed flue gas back to the station stack.
In addition, most of the utilities required for the pilot plant were available with minimal interconnect distances
between the station and the pilot plant.
Both the prescmbber and scrubber were designed and supplied by Advanced Air Technology. The water-based
presaubber measured 4.5 feet in diameter by 25 feet in height. It had a Hastelloy quench section, an FRP shell,
1024
\
I
a six-fwt bed of polypropolyene packing, and an FRP mist eliminator. The sodium-sulfite-based scrubber
measured 4.5 feet in diameter by 40 feet in height. It had two, six-foot high polypropylene-packed stages.
%ahon of these units was easy and reliable. No fouling was observed. Considerable particulate matter was
removed by the prescrubber, and there was no significant carryover from the prescrubber to the scrubber.
The bipolar membrane cell stack used during the demonstration had 44 two-membrane cells. Each cell included
a single bipolar membrane and a cation membrane. Only 176 square feet of cell area was required at the pilot
plant, and standard commercial bipolar membranes were used. A DC rectifier provided the energy required to
regenerate the absorbent solution. The initial cell stack was operated for over three months with no hardware
problems. While some individual membranes occasionally had to be replaced, the overall performance of the
stack was well within expectations. At no time was testing delayed due to membrane failures.
The pilot plant steam stripper column measured 16 inches in diameter by 2 1.5 feet in height. It had a stainless
steel shell and contained a six-foot bed or random Kynar packing. A small bed of this same packing material was
used as the mist eliminator. Early in the test program, instrumentation failures gave the erroneous impression
of low stripping eiliciency. However, once these problems were identified and corrected, the steam stripper
column operated as designed.
Although some problems were encountered relative to pumps, flow meters, weld leaks, etc., most of these were
corrected prior to the main demonstration program. As a result of failure of the continuous SO, gas analyzer to
operate properly, it was necessary to use an outside testing service during the last four months of the test period
in order to obtain accurate and continuous SO, measurements. In general, most of the instrumentation installed
was reliable and pedormed up to expectations after initial start-up. The operators found the pilot plant facility
to be easy to operate with minimal staffmg. Two engineers and four operators manned all shifts, including the
7 days per week, 24 hours per day periods of continuous testing.
TEST DESCRIPTION
The 3 MW S O W pilot plant test program took place over a seven-month period and included both continuous
operation and paramelic tests. Failure of the continuous SO, analym severely limited the amount of quantitative
SO, data collected during the first two months of testing. During this time, it was possible to demonstrate
continuous operation of the bipolar membrane cell stack in integrated operation with the scrubber and stream
stripper systems. The overall process was kept in balance while producing regenerated scrubbing solution and
concentrated SO,.
Immediately after a previously scheduled one-month boiler outage, parametric testing was initiated in accordance
with the following test plan:
m si!&a!G
* Initial Baseline Studies' Establish Baseline - .Absorber Parametric Studies
- Lower Stage pH
- Recycle Rate
-Number of Beds
~ SO, Concentration
- Base pH - Recycle Rate
- Cell Stack Current - Conversion Rate
- Cell Stack Temperature
* Cell Stack Parametric Studies
Maximize Absorption
Maximize Absorption
Minimize Oxidization
Minimize Oxidizationhlaximize Absorption
Reduce Flush Cycle
Reduce Cost and Flush Cycle
Reduce Power Consumption
Reduce Power Consumption
Reduce Power Consumption - Stripper Temperature Studies Optimize Efficiency - Overall Optimized Operation Maximize AbsorptiodSO, Removal
During the four months of parametric testing, the Dunkirk boiler was operated at a reduced load overnight and
was shut down on weekends due to a lack of power demand. As a result, parametric testing was carried out on
a "decoupled" basis, live days per week. In other words, when studies were conducted on the absorber, the cell
stack unit was shut down, and vice versa. The pilot plant was operated from full storage tanks of either spent
or regenerated absorbent. The portion of the process not undergoing testlng at any given time was operated
overnight to replenish the spent or regenerated absorbent inventory for the next day's testing. The parametric
studies were not felt to have been significantly affected by the unanticipated boiler cycling and shutdowns.
TESTRESULTS
The data collected during the demonstration period is summarized in Table 1. During the fust two months of
testing, the pilot plant was operated continuously. During the last four months of parametric testing after the
boiler outage, the pilot plant consistently demonstrated over 98 percent SO, absorption as is shown in Figure 3.
During this same period the SO, concentration in the flue gas ranged between 1000 and 1500 ppm as is shown
in Figure 4. It appears that the same high level of SO, absorption was probably achieved during the initial twomonth
continuous run when the SO, analyzer was not operational. The test results also show that when higher
inlet SO, levels were obtained by recycling some of the recovered SO, to the scrubber, SO, absorption was
1025
enhanced and oxidation of the snubber solution was reduced Oxidation of the scrubber solution is an important
parameter in the economics of the SOXAL process. Test results showed that total oxidation during SO,
absorption was well within the design range even without the use of additives or any other attempt to minimize
oxidation.
The major parameters associated with the operation of tbe bipolar membrane cell stack are its power consumption
and durability. During the demonstration period, power consumption by the cell stack was consistently in the
range of 1100 to 1300 kWton of SO, removed as is shown in Figure 5. This is consistent with anticipated
power consumption and the value that was used in EPRI’s 1990 economic evaluation of the process. During over
2,500 hours of pilot plant operation, the bipolar membranes proved to be extremely durable. An acid wash
process was used to minimize fouling of the membranes during the demonstration period, and the optimum
operating conditions ncedcd to minimize membrane washing were determined.
CONCLUSIONS
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This project was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Pittsburgh Energy Technology Center based on
Conbxt No. DE-AC22-91PC91347. AlliedSignal’s Aquatech Systems Division was the prime contractor with
responsibility for design, fabrication, and operation of the pilot plant. Additional funding and the host site were
provided by Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation, with co-funding from the Empire State Electric Energy
Research Corporation and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority,
Continuous integrated operation of the absorption and regeneration portions of the pilot plant was
demonstrated.
The ease of independently operating these porhons of the SOXAL system was also demonstrated.
Over 98 percent SO, removal was consistently achieved.
Stable bipolar membrane performance was proven.
Cell stack power consumption and scrubber oxidation were consistent with plant design expectations.
Table 1
Summary of Test Data’
SO, FlueGa SO, Power
Test Concen- Flow Rate Absorption Consumed
GEk lr81ion (%)
,
1026
I
Table 1 (Contmued)
Notes
1.
2.
3.
4.
Each data point typically represents lhe average of four mensurements taken during an eight-hour test.
Simultaneous indicates continuous operation of both absorption and regeneration processes. All other
tests were conducted in a "decoupled" mode.
These flow rates we in ACFM (actual cubic feet per minute). All others are in DSCFM (standard
cubic feet per minute - dry basis).
Baseline regeneration tests were performd with 400 amps of operating cwent. Since.the
membranes had four square feet of cross-sectional area, this is equivalent to 100 ASF (amps per
square foot).
Figure I
SOXAL Pmess Flow Sheet
Figure 2
Schematic of Bipolar Membrane Regeneration Unit
1027
100
98
2 96
92
: 94
2 00
g 90
N 06
04
02
80
I I
. I
Test
Figure 3
SO, Absorption Efficiency
I 1400
I 600
mm
Test
I
Figure 5
Cell Stack Power Consumption
i
1028
MILLIKEN CLEAN COAL PROJECT-UPDATE
G. S. Janik, S. C. Chang, and P. A. Szalach
New York State Electric (L Gas Corporation
Corporate Drive - Kirkwood Industrial Park
Binghamton, NY 13902-5224
J. B. Mereb, J. A. Withum, and M. R. Stouffer
CONSOL Inc.
Research and Development
4000 Brownsville Road
Library, PA 15129
Keywords: Milliken, Clean Coal Project, SO, and NO, Control
INTRODUCTION
The Milliken Clean Coal Demonstration Project was selected for funding in Round 4
of the U.S. DOE’S Clean Coal Demonstration Program. The project’s sponsor is New
York State Electric and Gas Corporation (NYSEG). Project team members include
CONSOL Inc., Saarberg-Holter-Umwelttechnik (S-H-U), NALCO/FuelTech, Stebbins
Engineering and Manufacturing Co., DHR Technologies, and ABB/CE Air Preheater.
The project will provide full-scale demonstration of a combination of innovative
emission-reducing technologies and plant upgrades for the control of sulfur
dioxide (SO ) and nitrogen oxides (NO,) emissions from a coal-fired steam
generator w h o u t a significant loss of station efficiency.
The demonstration project is being conducted at NYSEG’s Milliken Station, located
in Lansing, New York. Milliken Station has two Combustion Engineering 150 MWe
pulverized coal-fired units built in the 1950s. The S-H-U FGD process and the
LNCFS-Level I11 low-NO, burner are being installed on both units.
I. S-H-U Process
A. Background
The Saarberg-Holter Umwelttechni k GmbH (S-H-U) flue gas desulfurization (FGD)
process commenced operation at the NYSEG Milliken Station in mid-January 1995;
Unit 1 operation is scheduled to begin in late June. The S-H-U SO control
technology is based on a forced oxidation, formic acid-enhanced wet timestone
scrubber. Project goals include:
Demonstration of up to 98 percent SO, removal efficiency while burning
high-sulfur coal;
Production of commercial grade gypsum and calcium chloride by-products
to minimize waste disposal;
0
0
0 Zero wastewater discharge;
0 Space-saving design;
0 A low-power-consumption scrubber system.
Parametric testing of the S-H-U process is scheduled to begin September 1, 1995.
The test program will provide operation and performance data to confirm that the
S-H-U FGO process can meet regulatory requirements for new and existing utility
boilers. The data also will provide a basis for process optimization and for
economic evaluation. The physical and chemical data required for by-product
sales or disposal of gypsum, FGD blowdown sludge, and calcium chloride will be
developed.
B. Description of the S-H-U Contactor
As shown in Figure 1, the absorber has a cocurrent section followed by a
countercurrent section. There are four slurry spray headers on the cocurrent
side and three on the countercurrent side. The two-stage design helps maintain
the slurry pH in the optimum range. Also, cocurrent operation reduces pressure
drop. The two-stage absorber is designed to be compact, allowing easier
retrofit. The absorber is constructed of concrete and is lined with corrosionand
abrasion-resistant ceramic tiles. This design is expected to reduce
maintenance.
I
d
?
The FGD system is designed for zero waste water discharge. A blowdown stream is
removed and treated to control the scrubber chloride concentration and produces
a saleable concentrated calcium chloride solution.
1029
C. Start-up Results
The scrubber is operating using four or five spray headers which provides an L/G
.of 119 to 157 gal/kacfm. The dewatering system produces gypsum containing less
than 10% moisture by weight. TO achieve the design slurry chloride
concentration, the brine concentrator system started up until June 1995. The
following table shows preliminary SO, removal results,
0. Parametric Test Plan
To define the performance limits of the S-H-U FGD system, Unit 1 will operate at
design conditions, provide long-term data, and evaluate the FGD load-following
capability. The steady-state chloride level is expected to be about 40,000 ppm
C1 by ut. For
each test, the scrubber pressure drop and SO, removal will be measured. The
effect of process variables on gypsum crystal morphology will be studied during
tests using the design sulfur coal. The project will use coals which contain
1.6, 3.2 (design coal), and 4 weight percent sulfur. The following is a
discussion of the parameters to be varied.
The plant design is based on a coal sulfur content of 3.2 weight percent. The
coal sulfur content will be varied over a range of 1.6 to 4.0 weight percent
using at least three different coals. The purpose i s to demonstrate the S-H-U
technology with low-sulfur coal, design coal, and high-sulfur coal. Parametric
tests will not be performed using the high-sulfur coal; instead, the process will
be operated at optimum conditions based on the results of parametric tests using
the design coal and computer modeling results.
The design scrubber slurry formic acid concentration is 800 ppm. Formic acid
concentrations of 0, 400, 800, and 1600 ppm will be tested. The purpose is to
demonstrate the effect of formic acid concentration on SO, removal and scrubber
operability.
Various combinations of spray headers in the cocurrent and countercurrent
sections will be tested. The purpose is to generate data to optimize SO, removal
performance and scrubber energy consumption. The mass transfer coefficients will
be determined individually for the cocurrent and countercurrent sections using
the results from these tests. By changing the number of spray headers in
operation at constant flue gas flow, the scrubber L/G ratio will be varied.
The design gas velocity is 20 ft/sec in the cocurrent scrubber section and
12 ft/sec in the countercurrent section. Tests at higher velocity (15 to
20 ft/sec in the countercurrent section) will be performed on the Unit 2 scrubber
by shunting gas flow from Unit 1 to the Unit 2 scrubber. The purpose is to
provide data on high gas velocity scrubbers. Recent literature (e.g., Ref. 2)
suggests that FGD capital cost can be reduced significantly by increasing the
design velocity in the absorber. These tests will be performed using the design
formic acid concentration (800 ppm).
The design limestone grind is 90% -170 mesh when using formic acid and
9o"x -325 mesh with no formic acid. For comparison purposes, tests will be
performed using 90% -170 mesh without formic acid and using 90% -325 mesh at
800 ppm formic acid concentration in the scrubber.
The test coal sequence is low-sulfur coal (1.6%) followed by the design coal
(3.2%), and lastly the high-sulfur coal (4%). The test plan includes 103
six-hour tests using low-sulfur coal, 61 seven-day tests using design sulfur
coal, and one two-month test using high-sulfur coal. The tests are statistically
designed to study parametrically the effect of formic acid concentration,
L/G ratio, and mass transfer on scrubber performance.
11. Low-NO, Concentric Firing System-Level 111 (LNCFS-111)
Limestone utilization will be held constant at the design level.
A. Background
Both Milliken units were retrofitted with the LNCFS-111 burners. The objective
was to reduce NO,, emissions to comply with the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments
1030
A
1
i
(cm), while continuing t o produce marketable fly ash. The Unit 1 burner
r e t r o f i t was in 1993 and the Unit 2 r e t r o f i t in 1994. New coal m i l l s were
installed during the burner outage.
The effectiveness o f LNCFS-I11 burner r e t r o f i t t o reduce NO emissions was
evaluated i n short-term tests (2-4 hours each) and long-term Zests (60 days)
while burning a h i g h - v o l a t i l e eastern bituminous coal. The short-term tests were
s t a t i s t i c a l l y designed t o evaluate the impact of burner operating parameters on
NO, emissions and loss-on-ignition (LOI). The long-term t e s t consisting o f 60
measurement days was used t o estimate the annual NO emissions and was consistent
with the U t i l i t y A i r Regulatory Group (UARG) recommhdations. The baseline tests
were conducted on Unit 2 and the p o s t - r e t r o f i t tests were conducted on Unit 1,
since Unit 1 was not available f o r baseline t e s t i n g p r i o r t o i t s r e t r o f i t .
Conducting baseline testing on one u n i t and p o s t - r e t r o f i t t e s t i n g on the other
u n i t was an acceptable option because p r e - r e t r o f i t NO emissions from the two
units d i f f e r e d by less than 0.03 lb/MM Btu. Long-term h emissions from the two
M i l l i k e n u n i t s were 0.64-0.68 lb/MM Btu at 3.5%-4.5% O2 a t the economizer outlet.
E. Parametric Test Program Results
The short-term parametric tests evaluated the impact o f b o i l e r load, excess O,,
and burner tilt on NO emissions and LOI. P o s t - r e t r o f i t t e s t i n g included as
additional parameters ;ill c l a s s i f i e r speed, SOFA tilt, and SOFA yaw. Variation
o f CO was not a consideration in t h i s study because CO measurements were less
than 13 ppm f o r the baseline tests and less than 23 ppm f o r the p o s t - r e t r o f i t
tests.
Figure 2 shows f u l l b o i l e r load (140-150 MWe) variations of NO emissions and LO1
with economizer 0, f o r the baseline and the p o s t - r e t r o f i t tests. Only postr
e t r o f i t tests i n which over-fire a i r (SOFA and CCOFA) flows and m i l l c l a s s i f i e r
speeds did not vary were included i n Figure 2. A t the same 0 level, the scatter
o f the data was p a r t l y due to experimental variation and l o the variation o f
other parameters, such as burner tilt. Under both baseline and p o s t - r e t r o f i t
conditions, higher 0, levels increased NO, emissions and reduced LOI. A simple
inverse relationship was observed between baseline NO emissions and LOI. The
p o s t - r e t r o f i t relationship between NO emissions and LO! was more complex because
o f the larger number o f the LNCFS-111 parameters. The LNCFS-I11 configuration
t y p i c a l l y had 0.17-0.19 lb/MM Btu lower NO, emissions and 2.4%-2.9% (absolute)
higher LO1 r e l a t i v e to the baseline. In general, NO, reductions were about 35%
and p o s t - r e t r o f i t LO1 levels were about 4%.
The e f f e c t o f m i l l c l a s s i f i e r setting on NO emissions and LO1 a t 120 MWe f o r
d i f f e r e n t economizer 0 levels (3.05, 3.4%: and 4.5% nominal) are shown i n
Figure 3. Increasing tbe c l a s s i f i e r speed corresponds t o f i n e r pulverized coal
(increasing c l a s s i f i e r speed 40 rpm i s estimated t o increase coal fineness from
75% t o 90% through 200 mesh) which dramatically reduced LOI. Furthermore, NO
emissions could be reduced by as much as 0.05 lb/MM Btu by increasing th;
c l a s s i f i e r speed 40 rpm. Similar trends were observed a t f u l l b o i l e r loads.
Baseline changes i n burner tilt had a s i g n i f i c a n t e f f e c t on NO emissions and a
minor effect on LOI, whereas, p o s t - r e t r o f i t changes i n burner tilt had
s i g n i f i c a n t e f f e c t s on both NO emissions and LOI. Increasing the LNCFS-I11
burner tilt below the horizontar (negative t i l t ) was e f f e c t i v e i n reducing both
NO emissions and LOI, but was l i m i t e d by i t s impact on the main steam
teiperature. Following the burner r e t r o f i t , a control algorithm provided
automatic v a r i a t i o n i n burner tilt t o maintain the main steam temperature.
Changes in SOFA tilt had minor e f f e c t s on NO, emissions, LOI, and steam
temperatures. Furthermore, changes i n SOFA yaw had minor e f f e c t s on NO,
emissions, but increased LO1 i f the SOFA yaw was d i f f e r e n t from the fuel f i r i n g
angle, However, SOFA yaw changes were accompanied by automatic changes i n burner
tilt to maintain steam temperatures, and the effects o f the two parameters on LO1
could not be isolated.
C. Long-Term Test Results
Long-term measurements (60 days) were used t o estimate the achievable annual NO
emissions, and t o evaluate the effectiveness o f the LNCFS-I11 burner r e t r o f i t :
Figure 4 compares long-term NO emissions from the two M i l l i k e n units (baseline
and LNCFS-111) at f u l l b o i l e r joad (145-150 MWe). A t 3.3%-3.6% economizer 0 ,
NO emissions dropped from baseline levels o f 0.64 lb/MFI Btu t o p o s t - r e t r o f i t
l e t e l s of 0.39 lb/MM Btu, corresponding t o a reduction o f about 3996. At a b o i l e r
i'
Y
1031
load of 80-90 MWe and a t 4.5%-5.0% economizer 0 , NO,, emissions dropped from
baseline levels o f 0.57 lb/MM Btu t o p o s t - r e t r o f i t levels o f 0.41 lb/MM Btu,
corresponding to a reduction o f about 28%.
In summary, NYSEG believes LNCFS-111 burner r e t r o f i t i s a cost-effective
technology t o comply with T i t l e I V o f the 1990 CA4A. NO emissions below 0.4
lb/MM Btu could be achieved, while maintaining salable fly'ash. To date, burner
operations are acceptable.
REFERENCES
1. Glamser, J.; Elkmeir. M.; Petzel, H-K. "Advance! Concepts In FGD Technology:
The S-H-U Process With Cool ing Tower Discharge, Journal o f the A i r Po l l u t i o n
Control Association, Vol. 39, No. 9, September 1989.
2. Carey, T.R., Skarupa, R.C., Hargrove, O.W., and Moser, R.E. "EPRI ECTC Tes!
Results: Effect o f High Velocity on Wet Limestone Scrubber Performance,
Presented at the 1995 SO, Control Symposium, Miami, FL, March 28-31, 1995.
k
Figure 1.
(One of Two Absorbers Shown)
SCHEMATIC OF S-H-U FGD SYSTEM AT THE NYSEG MILLIKEN STATION
Flue Gas To Slack
Slurry From Recirculslion
Flue Gar
From Boiler-
Slurry From
Recirculation
Pumps
1032
I
1
I I I ' I
1033
SCR AND HYBRID SYSTEMS FORUTILITY BOILERS: A REVIEW OF CURRENT
Kent D. Zammit
Electric Power Research Institute
3412 Hillview Avenue, P.O. Box 10412
Palo Alto, California 94303
EPRI-SPONSORED RESULTS
Keywords: Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR), NOx Reduction, Hybrid Systems
Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) has been widely demonstrated in Europe and Japan
as a postcombustion NOx control technology. However, most of this experience has
been gained using relatively low-sulfur fuels, typically less than 1.5 percent. By
comparison, the application of SCR in the United States has been much more limited,
and to date the experience base is virtually non-existent for coal- and oil-fired boilers.
Higher fuel sulfur content corresponds to higher concentrations of SO2 and SO3 which
can lead to potential poisoning and more rapid deactivation of the catalyst. In addition,
SCR catalysts have the potential to oxidize SO2 to so3, which can lead to serious
problems with ammonium sulfate and/or bisulfate deposition in the air preheater,
marketability of fly ash, and potential increases in plume opacity. A number of
elements present in fly ash, such as arsenic and alkaline metals, may poison the active
sites of an SCR catalyst.
Regulatory forces stemming from the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments have the
potential to require the use of SCR in the US. for both new and existing units.
In response to uncertainties in the cost and feasibility of SCR for the U.S. utility
industry, EPRI has sponsored a multi-pilot plant test program to evaluate the feasibility
and cost of SCR as a function of fuel type and SCR/host boiler configuration. This
paper discusses three of those pilots: the high sulfur/high dust unit at the National
Center for Emissions Research, TVA; the post-FGD unit at EPRI's Environmental
Control Technology Center, NYSEG; and the residual oil-fired unit at the NiMo Oswego
Steam Station. Each pilot represents a 1 MW(e) equivalent SCR reactor divided into two
parallel sections to allow for simultaneous testing of two catalyst types. Operating
conditions for each pilot are listed in Table 1.
The pilot SCR catalysts were designed to maintain certain performance criteria over
guaranteed and design lifetimes of 2 and 4 years, respectively. Performance goals call
for 80% NOx conversion with residual ammonia (slip) levels of less than 5 and 2 ppm
at the exits of the second-to-bottom and bottom catalyst layers, respectively. At TVA
(5 catalyst layers), the 5 and 2 ppm slip limits apply to the outlets of the fourth and fifth
catalyst beds, and at NYSEG and NiMo (3 layers), the limits apply to the outlets of the
second and third catalyst beds.
TVA HOT SIDE, HIGH SULFUIUHIGH DUST SCR PILOT
The TVA pilot was eventually equipped with features to counter the effects of fly ash
on the SCR catalysts, including relatively large cell openings, a non-catalytic "dummy"
catalyst layer, screens above each catalyst layer, streamlined reactor and sootblowers
above the first and fourth layers. The TVA pilot was operated between May 1990 and
May 1994 for a total of approximately 22,000 hours.
Catalyst Activity. Both initial TVA test catalysts exhibited significant deactivation
which was exacerbated by frequent boiler/pilot shutdowns early in the test program.
Analysis of ash samples from the reactor identified a mechanism in which the ash
deposits become enriched with sulfur via interaction with ambient moisture during
shutdowns. As the moist acidic deposits reacted with alkaline ash constituents, hard
deposits were formed that permanently plugged a number of catalyst channels. This
mechanism may have also occurred on a smaller scale on the catalyst surface and within
catalyst pores, and contributed to formation of a masking layer and consequential loss
of catalyst activity.
The original V/Ti catalyst was tested for the entire pilot operating duration. Results of
catalyst sample activity measurements by the manufacturer are shown in Figure 1. The
measurements were made on small sections of the catalyst sample that were free of
plugged channels; therefore, results were directly comparable with data shown in the
1034
figure from selected European experience. In all cases, the samples from bed 1
exhibited a higher activity than those from bed 3, which may indicate the positive
influence of sootblowers located above the first catalyst layer, but not above the third
layer.
Figure 1 also shows the activity curve for replacement V/Ti test elements installed in
the center of catalyst beds 1 and 3 for approximately 8,000 hours exposure. The
replacement elements featured different hardness values than the original catalyst
charge. Although the replacement elements exhibited a lesser rate of deactivation, the
positive effects of altering catalyst hardness are not entirely conclusive because a lower
sulfur coal was being fired while the replacement elements were in place.
The original zeolite catalyst failed to meets its performance criteria after 5,000 hours
of operation and was replaced after approximately 12,000 hours with a reformulated
zeolite design from the same vendor. The reformulated catalyst showed improvement
in its baseline activity and in the rate of deactivation compared to the origmal catalyst.
Bulk and surface chemical measurements were also made by both catalyst vendors to
monitor changes in the composition of the catalyst and the accumulation of potential
catalyst poisons. Bulk analysis results indicate increases in the concentrations of
arsenic, sodium, and potassium with increasing exposure time.
Catalyst Plugging Countermeasures. The TVA pilot represented a severe environment
with respect to potential catalyst plugging due to the high ash loading and the alkalinity
of the ash. Periodic reactor inspections revealed considerable buildup of solids on the
outer catalyst blocks, which resulted from "wall effects" in the relatively small reactor.
Over the course of the test program, the flue gas pressure loss across the V/Ti catalyst
increased from below 4 inches to over 10 inches of water. Manual counting of the
plugged channels showed that nearly 55% of all V/Ti catalyst channels had become
permanently plugged when testing ended.
A number of strategies were implemented or considered during the test program to limit
increases in catalyst channel plugging. These include screens, sootblowers, vacuuming,
and moisture avoidance. All strategies employed at the pilot were successful to a certain
degree, but their need and practicality for full-scale SCR application will vary.
Other Operating Issues. Several operational issues were encountered during the TVA
test program that provided pilot experience with full-scale SCR design implications.
These include: ammonia injection nozzle pluggage in the high sulfur/high dust
environment, artifact reactions over sampling probe materials during NOx and
ammonia sampling, process control issues associated with zeolite catalyst ammonia
adsorption/desorption times, and CEM system maintenance and sample
preconditioning issues specific to high sulfur/high dust SCR systems.
NYSEG POST-FGD SCR PILOT
The NYSEG SCR Pilot begin testing in December 1991 and is currently operating, with
test catalysts exposed to flue gas for approximately 21,000 hours. Key pilot results
include catalyst performance in the relatively clean post-FGD environment and cost
issues associated with flue gas reheat. A recuperative heat-pipe heat exchanger (HPHE)
recovers heat from the gas exiting the reactor and an additional 185°F of reheat input
is required to maintain a reactor temperature of 650°F.
Heat Exchanger Fouling Effects. Because the cold end of the NYSEG HPHE operates
below the maximum condensation temperatures of ammonium sulfate/bisulfate and
sulfuric acid, the test program was focused on evaluating exchanger fouling effects
(ie., heat transfer loss, increase in gas pressure drop, and corrosion).
Figure 2 shows the relative decline in heat transfer and increase in flue gas pressure
drop across the return side of the heat exchanger during operating periods with distinct
animonia slip levels. In the figure, heat transfer is expressed as a fraction of the design
rate to normalize exchanger efficiency for changes in gas flow and reactor temperature.
The figure also shows the effects of internal water-washing between operating periods.
Water-washg was very effective in dissolving and removing deposits, and
1035
consequently in restoring heat exchanger performance and pressure drop to original
conditions.
Figure 2 also illustrates the importance of minimizing ammonia slip from SCR catalysts
in the post-FGD configuration. At the pilot unit, severe heat exchanger performance
. degradation was avoided when the average ammonia slip was held to below 2-3 ppm.
An extensive corrosion testing program was undertaken to examine the potential 1
problem of cold-end corrosion of the HPHE tubes. The surface temperature of these
tubes is typically 60°F colder than the bulk flue gas temperature. The program included
on-lie corrosion monitoring, test samples, and test heat pipes of various metals. The
results of this program are beyond the scope of this paper.
Catalyst Activity. A post-FGD configuration requires less catalyst and problems
associated with high flue gas sulfur and fly ash content are avoided. No screens,
"dummy" catalyst layers, or reactor sootblowers are required. The overall catalyst
volume is lower than its high dust counterpart because of the higher surface area-tovolume
ratio inherent to a smaller pitch catalyst. The favorable reactor environment
also lessens the rate of catalyst deactivation, and further reduces catalyst volume
requirements to achieve a given catalyst life.
The original composite V/Ti catalyst exhibited severe deactivation and was replaced
after only 5,300 operating hours. Activity changes occurred exclusively during pilot
shutdowns, which suggested that ambient moisture had aided in the mobilization and
penetration of catalyst poisons throughout the active catalyst surface layer.
Contaminants that penetrated the catalyst included silicon, sodium, potassium,
phosphorus, and sulfur, while calcium and iron were concentrated at the surface.
The source of the contaminants is the fine ash and FGD carryover solids that are lightly
deposited on the catalyst surfaces during operation. The original extruded V/Ti
catalyst and the replacement composite V/Ti catalyst showed no measurable activity
change in pilot tests over 13,100 and 12,700 hours, respectively. Therefore, given the
same performance goals, a post-FGD catalyst would be expected to exhibit a
substantially longer catalyst life than its high sulfur, high dust counterpart.
A short testing period was dedicated to catalyst evaluation at temperatures below the
typical lower limit of 600°F to determine the potential for reducing the operating
temperature in the post-FGD configuration. To accomplish this, SCR catalysts would
need to overcome performance effects from kinetic limitations at low temperature, and
from possible fouling due to condensation of ammonium-sulfur compounds on the
catalyst surface and within the catalyst pores.
At reactor temperature of 550"F, the extruded V/Ti catalyst exhibited marginally lower,
but steady performance over 1,400 operating hours even though catalyst fquling was
detected. The composite catalyst exhibited a more severe performance decline that
varied with changes in the inlet NOx concentration from the host boiler. After each
test period, both catalyst's performance was restored to original levels when the
temperature was raised to baseline (650°F) conditions.
NiMo RESIDUAL OIL SCR PILOT
The NiMO pilot unit was operated between October 1991 and October 1993, with flue
gas flowing through the unit for approximately 4,800 hours. The host boiler is used for
load following, typically cycling down to 20% MCR overnight, and with hourly load
changes of up to 60% MCR.
Catalyst Activity. Activity changes were measured by both catalyst vendors on
samples taken after 2,400 and 4,100 operating hours. The relative activity of the
corrugated plate catalyst increased during both test intervals, and exceeded, the original
activity by 24% by the end of the test program. The effect was attributed to deposition
of vanadium from the flue gas on the catalyst surface, since SO;! oxidation rates also
increased with time over both catalysts. The measured fuel oil vanadium content varied
between 55 and 170 ppm during the test program.
The activity of the top layer of composite V/Ti catalyst decreased somewhat during the
test program, but no overall performance change was detected via pilot NOx conversion
i
\
1
1036
and ammonia slip measurements at the reactor exit (after 3 layers). After 4,100 hours,
the activity of the top layer declined by roughly 20% based on the average of values
from samples taken from the tops of the first and second layers, and essentially no
activity change was seen in the second and third beds during the course of the test
program.
Deactivation in the first layer was attributed to masking by a thin layer of solids found
on the catalyst surface. The catalyst vendor concluded that solids deposition and
consequential activity loss at the top of the reactor was exacerbated by the aggressive
catalyst pitch (3.6 mm). A more conservative catalyst design and additional measures
to prevent solids deposition (Le., sootblowers above every catalyst level) are advisable
for full-scale SCR systems in similar heavy oil service.
Catalyst Plugging and Deposition. Although the particulate content of the flue gas
from the NiMo host boiler is considerably less than that at TVA, problems with catalyst
deposition and pluggage were encountered throughout the test program. Reactor
deposits were found to consist of oil ash, magnesium oxide (MgO) and magnesium
sulfate, the magnesium source being fuel oil additives. Plugging countermeasures for
the pilot were limited to sootblowers above the first catalyst layer and routine catalyst
cleaning during system shutdowns.
Although not proven at the pilot scale, more strict control of MgO usage may reduce
solids deposition and catalyst pluggage effects in full-scale SCR systems for residual oil
boilers. In addition, sootblowers were found to be highly effective in preventing catalyst
pluggage in this service in a detailed evaluation at another EPRI-sponsored pilot.
Other Operating Issues. Operational lessons from the NiMo pilot study include the
demonstration of direct liquid ammonia injection, and process control issues associated
with inconsistent aqueous ammonia concentrations and deep cycling of the host boiler.
SCR Design and Operational Recommendations Report
Results from all EPRI-sponsored pilots are currently being incorporated into a guidance
document entitled SCR Design and Operational Recommendations: RbD Lessons Learned
(EPRI Report TR-105103). The report will be released later in 1995, and will include
results and design implications from the three pilot studies described in this paper, in
addition to the results from the advanced SCR pilot system at the Pacific Gas & Electric
Company's Morro Bay Station, and the multi-pilot SCR system at Southern Company
Service's Plant Crist sponsored under the DOE'S Clean Coal Technology Program.
HYBRID SCR
Hybrid selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems consist of either a combination of
SCR techniques (i.e., in-duct SCR combined with air heater SCR) or selective
non-catalytic reduction (SNCR) in combination with SCR.
Depending on unit-specific parameters, a hybrid can offer advantages that include:
reduced capital cost, higher NOx reduction without extensive unit modifications; lower
system pressure drop; safer and less expensive chemical storage; lower ammonia slip;
and operational flexibility. However, a hybrid system can present some drawbacks that
may make them less beneficial. These include: system complexity, higher chemical
costs, and potentially higher capital costs.
EPRI commissioned a study to document the current experience and develop a tool by
whichutilities can determine the applicability of Hybrid SCR to meet their NOx
reduction goals, a guideline for selecting the best configuration, and a reference for
developing the design parameters necessary to implement the technology. There are
a number of technical and commercial considerations which must be resolved prior to
designing or procuring a Hybrid SCR system. The boiler operating, temperature, and
emissions data necessary for the final design are presented along with the process
desi@ variables which must be specified. Procurement suggestions are included to
assist the user addressing some of the more pertinent commercial issues.
1037
Table 1
Typical SCR Pilot Operating Characteristics
. Heat Tmnsfer
Host Boiler Fuel Type
Pilot Configuration
Total Flue Gas Flow, scfm
Reactor Temperature, OF
Inlet NO,, ppm
Inlet SO2, ppm
Inlet SO3, ppm
Particulate, gr/dscf
High (2.5-5.0%) S Coal
Hot Side/High Dust
2100
700
450
2000
20
3.0
Med. (1.5-2.5%) S Coal
Post FGD
2wO
650
300
150
5
0.0012
1.5% S Residual Oil
Hot Side
2000
700
2M)-1000
BM)
23
0.091
0.9 -
0.8 -
0.7 -
0.6 -
0.5 -
0.4 -
First Bed "Replacement"
Third Bed "Replacement"
European Experience
_. Range of Selected
0.3 ' 0 4000 8000 12000 16000 Zoo00 24
Exposure Time (hrs)
00
Figure 1
Relative Changes in TVA Vmi Catalyst Activity vs. Exposure Time
84
0 . 8 4 I2.5 4 18.5 I
Average SCR Reactor Ammonia Slip (ppm)
Figure 2
NYSEG Pilot Heat Exchanger Performance and Return Side Pressure Drop
vs. Time (Heat Exchanger Was Water-Washed Between Operating Periods)
1038
I
i
REMOVAL OF MULTIPLE AIR POLLUTANTS
BY GAS-PHASE REACTIONS OF HYDROGEN PEROXIDE
Vladimir M. Zamansky, Lac Ho, Peter M. Maly, and William R. Seeker
Energy and Environmental Research Corporation
18 Mason, Irvine, CA 92718
Keywords: Air Pollution, Hydrogen Peroxide, NO,
INTRODUCTION
Hydrogen peroxide is a large-volume chemical with a wide range of applications in different
industries. If properly stored, hydrogen peroxide solutions in water are stable, with no loss of the
effective substance. Environmental applications have become a major area of use for hydrogen
peroxide because it is not itself a source of pollution, and water and oxygen are the only reaction byproducts.
There is a variety of developed or developing environmental technologies which use H,O,
as an active reagent: detoxification and deodorization of industrial and municipal effluents; low
temperature removal of nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, cyanides, chlorine, hydrogen sulfide, organic
compounds; low temperature treatment for catalytic NO-to-NO, conversion, etc.
This study develops a novel concept of high-temperature H,O, injection into combustion gases or
other off-gases followed by gas-phase reactions of H202 with NO, SO,, CO, and organic compounds.
Experimental and modeling data show that a water solution of hydrogen peroxide injected into postcombustion
gases converts NO to NO,, SO, to SO,, and improves the removal of CO and organic
compounds due to chain reactions involving OH and HO, radicals. The existence of the chemical
reaction between NO and hydrogen peroxide has been proven earlier experimentally by Azuhata et
al.' at long residence times of approximately 12 sec which are not applicable to air pollution control.
In this study effective NO-to-NO, and SO,-to-SO, conversion, as well as CO and CH, oxidation, was
predicted by kinetic modeling and measured experimentally in the temperature range 600-1 100 K in
a practical range of reaction times (6) from 0.2 to 2.0 s.
EXPERIMENTAL
In the current work, the bulk of experiments were carried out in a flow system which consists of four
parts, a gas blending system, a liquid injection system, a reactor, and an analytical train. The gas
blending system is a set of rotameters capable of preparing a flowing mixture of 0, with addition of
NO, CO or CH, in N, as a carrier gas. The liquid injection system includes a burette containing 3%
H,Op,O solution and a precision metering pump for delivery of the solution through a capillary tube
to the heated reaction zone. For the study of the SOJH20, reaction, dilute sulfuric acid was added
into 3% H,O, solution. At a temperature of 500-600 K H,SO, is converted into H,O and SO, and this
is a convenient means of producing a gas mixture containing known amounts of H,O and SO,. The
rates of pumping the water solutions of H20, and H,SO, were chosen so as to provide the desired
concentrations of H,O, and SO, in the gas mixture.
The prepared gas and liquid mixtures go to the reactor which was located in a 1 m three zone
electrically heated furnace. The first and the third zones (25 cm each) were heated to 450-600 K to
evaporate the liquid, to preheat the gas mixture and to avoid condensation of the reaction products
in the reactor. In the second heating zone (50 cm long) which was the reaction zone, the temperature
was varied from 450 to 1300 K. All tests with air pollutants were performed with a 2.7 cm ID quartz
reactor. The experimental gas mixture could be passed through the reactor and then sent to analysis,
or it could be sent directly to analysis. The analytical train included a Thermoelectron
Chemiluminescent NOiNO, analyzer, a Thermoelectron Gas Filter Correlation' CO analyzer, a
Thermoelectron Pulsed Fluorescence SO, analyzer, Flame Ionization Total Hydrocarbon analyzer,
and permanganate titration of H,O,.
In addition to the laboratory-scale experiments done with synthetic gas mixtures, a set of experiments
on NO-to-NO, conversion was also carried out at pilot scale in a 1 MBtu/hr Boiler Simulator Facility
(BSF) burning natural gas with stoichiomemc ratio of 1.2. The furnace has two sections: a vertically
down-fired tower (56 cm in diameter and 6.7 m height) and a horizontal convective pass (20 x 20 cm
cross section, 14.2 m long) simulating typical temperature profiles of full-scale utility boilers.
Solutions of hydrogen peroxide. methanol or their mixtures (15% in water) were injected by a fluid
nozzle into the convective pass at different temperatures. Flue gas was sampled downstream in the
convective pass at different temperatures with residence times from 0.2 to 2.0 s. Most experiments
were conducted with sampling at about 500 K and analysis by NO, and CO meters.
The Chemkin-I1 kinetic prograd and a reaction mechanism based on Miller and Bowman review
paper) were used for kinetic modeling.
1039
LABORATORY-SCALE RESULTS
Gas phase reactions of H202 are complicated by heterogeneous processes, and therefore, a preliminary
set of experiments was done for a mixture without air pollutants (1100 ppm H,O, - 7.3% H,O -
balance air) to define the degree of H,O, heterogeneous decomposition under different experimental
conditions and to estimate how much H202 will be available for the useful homogeneous reactions
with air pollutants. A water cooled impinger with a known amount of KMnO, solution was installed
at the exit of the reactor. The concentrations of hydrogen peroxide leaving the reactor were defined
by "on-line titration", e.g. by measuring time for which the gas passes through the KMnO, solution
until decoloration. Results show that about 75% H,O, decomposes at temperatures which are lower
than the threshold temperature for homogeneous decomposition. The measured heterogeneous rate
constant was 5.5exp(-1,25Om s.', and it was included in modeling. A substantial excess of H,O, was
used for the tests with air pollutants. It is worth noting, however, that in the scope of scaling up the
process the surface chemism becomes less important in large size industrial installations. All
concentrations of hydrogen peroxide, shown in this Section, are calculated values after substraction
of the heterogeneously decomposed HzO, bebore the reaction zone from initial H20z concentrations.
,Conversion. Two set of tests were performed to demonstrate the NO to NOz conversion
in the presence of HzO; variation of temperature and variation of reaction time. Two initial gas
mixture compositions were used for the tests with different temperatures: (I) 100 ppm NO - (160-
220) ppm H,O, - 4.2% 0, - 4.8% H,O - balance N, and (2) 100 ppm NO - (90-120) ppm H,O, - 4.4%
0, - 1.7% H,O - balance N,. The flow rates of the H,O, solution were 0.05 and 0.14 mumin
correspondingly and reaction time 6=1-2 s. Experimental and modeling results for the same
conditions are presented in Figure 1. One can see that experimental and modeling results agree at
least qualitatively and that at H20f10 ratios equal to 1.6-2.2 and 0.9-1.2, the achievable NO-to-NO,
conversions are 95 and 80%. In the next set, the experiments were conducted at 820 K. and air was '
added to the mixture (1) in order to increase the gas flow rate and decrease the reaction time. The
concentrations of NO and H,Oz were adjusted to the same levels as in previous tests. Concennations
of H,O and 0, were 4.7-7.0% and 4.2-15%. Five various air flow rates from 2.5 to 10.0 Vmin were
checked, and there were no visible difference in the final NO concentration: it was in the range of 10-
12 ppm at ~=0.4-1.4s .
sn@- . Average gas mixture composition for these experiments was 100 ppm SO, -
(160-220) ppm H,O, - 4.2% 0, - 4.8% H,O - balance N, and the reaction times were between 1.0
and 1.6 s. Under certain conditions SO, reacts with H202 to form SO,. No sulfur dioxide was formed
at T=600-1100 K when hydrogen peroxide was absent in the mixture. SO, measurements and
modeling for different H,O, concentrations are shown in Figure 2. One can conclude that SO, is
converted to SO, in a temperature range of 800-1100 K with up to 7545% efficiency.
_ _
ion of CO Puunated by H2Q2. The goal of this set of experiments was to show the
improvement of the CO oxidation in the presence of H202. In other words, it was expected according
to kinetic calculations that HzOZ will make it possible to reduce CO concentrations at lower
temperatures than that without HzO,. The results of experiments and calculations are compared in
Figure 3 at t,=1.0-1.5 s for three mixtures: (1) 90 ppm CO -4.2% 0, - (160-220) ppm H20z - 4.8%
H,O - balance Nz. (2) the same mixture but without H,O,, and (3) the same mixture but without H,O,
and H,O. Modeling for the mixture (3) was done at 10 ppm H,O in the mixture because in
experiments it was prepared without special drying. It is clear that experiments and modeling well
agree and that H,O, promotes CO oxidation but at rather low extent, about 20% at 860-960 K.
WQIn the presence of H,,O, the te.mperatu re limit of CH, removal
is substantially shifted to lower temperatures. This is shown in Figure 4 at t,=1.0-1.8 s for three
mixturns: (I) 90ppm CH, -4.2% Oz - (160-220) ppm H,O, - 4.8% H,O - balance N,, (2) 90 ppm CH,
- 4.4% 0, - (90-120) ppm H202- 1.7% H20- balance N,, and (3) the same mixture as (I) but without
H,O, and H,O. In the temperature range from 790 to 1060 K, the addition of H,O, can provide from
20 to 90% CH, removal. Maximum performance is observed at T = 900 - 1040 K.
. .
PILOT-SCALE RESULTS
An attractive method of NO-to-NO, and SO,-to-SO, conversion by injection of methanol into the flue
gas was described by Lyon et al.' In pilot-scale experiments recently performed by Evans et al.', 87%
NO-to-NO, conversion was achieved. Unfortunately, a problem with using methanol is the formation
of CO as a by-product. Each molecule ofNO or SO, converted into NO, and SO, produces a
molecule of CO, and CO is not oxidized to CO, at methanol injection temperatures.
Results of NO and CO measurements after injection of H,O, and CH,OH are shown in Figure 5 for
two initial NO levels of 400 (Figure 5a) and 200 ppm (Figure 5b). For all tests the molar ratio of
[Agentl/[NO] was 1.5, and O,concen!mtion in flue gas was 3.8%. Maximum NO-to-NO, conversion
1040
I
1
I'
/ i
Was in the range of 80437% for H20, injection and 87-92% for CH,OH injection. For comparison,
in the PRvious tests', 87% NO-to-NO, conversion was achieved by CH,OH injection. The minimum
Of the temperature window is shifted to lower temperatures in the case of H202 injection as predicted
by kinetic calculations. The mechanisms of NO-to-NO, conversion by H,O, and CH,OH injection
are similar, and therefore the slight decrease in performance of H,O, can be explained by the
heterogeneous decomposition which might be still noticeable in the 20 x 20 cm duct.
AS for CO measurements, the H,O, injection almost does not affect 24 ppm CO exiting the furnace
tower, which is consistent with the laboratory-scale tests for low H20z levels. Methanol injection
generates high CO emissions of about 600 and 300 ppm as shown in Figure 5.
Methanol is less expensive than H20,. Therefore, if CO emissions are considered to be the primary
drawback of CH,OH injection, one strategy might be to add as much CH,OH as possible within CO
limits, and then add enough H,O, to obtain target NO conversion. In light of this, several tests were
performed in which the agent consisted of various combinations of CH,OH and H,O,. In Figure 6
measured NO and CO concentrations are shown at different agent injection temperatures for various
[H,OJ/ICH,OH] mixtures. Initial NO and CO levels for these tests were 70 and 30 ppm respectively,
and total CH,OH+H,O, concentration was always 105 ppm. At H,OJCH,OH=l:l (52.5 ppm H203
NO-to-NO, conversion was approximately the same as for pure CH,OH injection, and then NO
conversion decreases incrementally as [H,O,]/[CH,OH] ratio increases. The CO emissions increase
also incrementally as CH,OH concentration grows (Figure 6b). The temperature window for NO-to-
NO, conversion had about the same minimum for all H,OJCH,OH mixtures and incremental
temperature shift was not observed. This is explained by appearance of OH radicals at lower
temperatures in the presence of H,O,. The NO and CO concentrations shown in Figure 66 were
measured at the minimum point of the H,OJCH,OH temperature window, 800 K, except for the NO
and CO concenuations after injection of pure methanol ([H202]=0). These concentrations were
measured at 866 K, the minimum point of the CH,OH temperature window.
DISCUSSION
It is known that NO, is much more soluble in water than NO. Kobayashi et al.6 demonstrated that
NO, can be removed by aqueous solutions of various inorganic and organic reagents. Senjo et al.?
reported several methods of NO, removal by sodium salts. It was also proven by Zamansky et al.'
that NO, can be removed efficiently in modified calcium-based SO, scrubbers. Since flue gas
desulfurization systems are increasingly required for SO, removal after combustion of sulfur
containing fuels, the conversion of relatively inert NO into much more reactive NO2 and conosive
SO, into SO, becomes promising for combined NO, and SO, removal.
Hydrogen peroxide injection is a "green" process. It is not dangerous for the atmosphere. there is no
additional soot, CO or nitrogen compounds formation as may be expected from urea, cyanuric acid
or methanol injection. H,O, can be injected as a water solution at various concentrations. The
products of the H,O,decornposition at high temperatures are H,O and 0, which are environmentally
acceptable. Therefore, hydrogen peroxide can be applied in any reasonable excess to air pollutants
for their complete or partial removal depending on current needs without risk of ammonia, CO or
other dangerous compound breakthrough.
In the homogeneous H,O, decomposition the total amount of OH radicals increases due to
dissociation: H202 + M - 2 OH + M. The hydroxyl radicals formed have several reaction routes,
including (1) the reaction with H,O, molecules to form HO, radicals: OH + H,O, - H,O + HO,; (2)
chain termination steps, such as OH + HO, - H,O + 0,; and (3) interaction with carbon-containing
compounds, such as CO, CH, and other organics: OH + CO - CO, + H, OH + CH, H,O + CH,,
etc. The total CH,-O, reaction, CH, + 20, = CO, + 2H,O. is promoted in the presence of OH
radicals. As known from the literature', H,O, enhances oxidation of some other organic compounds
due to the chain processes involving OH and other active species. Cooper et aL9 found that injection
of H,O, in dilute air mixtures of heptane and isopropanol increases the rate of their destruction at T
= 910-1073 K and f = 0.26-0.94 s.
The HO, radicals, formed in the reaction of OH radicals with H,O,, play an important role in
pollutants removal. The interaction of HO, radicals with NO, HO, + NO - NO, + OH, is the only
rapid NO reaction at low and moderate temperatures, and this is the principal route of NO-to-NO,
conversion. The HO, species react also with SO, followed by HSO, thermal decomposition:
HO, + SO, - HSO, + 0, and HSO, + M - SO, +OH + M.
Both modeling and experimental results show that NO is not converted to NO, in the absence of H,O,,
but SO,, CO, and CH, are converted to SO, and CO, at higher temperatures even without H,O,
addition. However, in non-ideal practical combustion systems all these pollutants, SO, and carboncontaining
compounds, are present in flue gas, and H,02 injection will reduce their concentrations.
1041
The position of the H,O, temperature window is defined by chemical nature of H,O, reactions. At
temperatures lower than 600 K the homogeneous H20, decomposition is very slow and OH and HO,
radicals are not formed. At temperatures higher than 1100 K, concentrations of all radicals in the
system become very high, and the rate of recombination reactions which are quadratic on radical
concentration prevails over the rate of their reactions with molecules. An important factor is also the
decomposition of HO, radicals at temperatures higher than 1000 K. Thus, H,O, is active only in the
temperature range of 600-1 100 K.
It is believed that four chain reactions are involved in removal of air pollutants:
NO:
SQ&tmyal:
OH + H,O, - H,O + HO,
HO, + NO - NO, + OH
OH + H,O, - H,O + HO,
HO, + SO, - HSO, + 0,
HSO,+ M - SO,+OH + M
H + 0, - OH + 0
-reduction: CH, + 202 = CO, + 2H,O
(promoted in the presence of OH radicals)
- chain reaction
- chain reaction
-chain reaction
- chain reaction
CO: OH+CO-CO,+H
Thus, the single reagent can remove multiple air pollutants.
One can use H,O, injection in combination with other NO, control technologies, such as reburning,
ammonia or urea injection, etc. to reduce NO to a very low level. In this case rather low NO
concentrations (100-200 ppm) will react with H,O,, which reduces the cost for the additive and
reduces the residual (after scrubbing) NO, concentration, preventing the NO, brown plume. For
example, in the COMBINOX process which includes reburning, urea injection, methanol injection
and SO,/NO, scrubbing, H,O, could either completely or partially replace methanol to meet CO
regulatory limits. Assuming 90% NO-to-NO, conversion by H,O, injection and taking into account
the pilot-scale results in other COMBINOX steps the total process will reduce NO, emissions by 96%.
CONCLUSIONS
This paper demonstrates the feasibility of multiple pollutants removal (NO, SO,, CH,, and CO) by
hydrogen peroxide injection within reaction times (0.2-2.0 s), temperatures (600-1 100 K), and other
conditions which are in the practical range for ils application in boilers, furnaces, engines and other
combustion installations. In the presence of H,O,, maximum NO-to-NO, conversion was 95% in the
flow system and 87% in pilot-scale at H,OflO = 1.5. SO, was effectively converted to SO, with up
to 85% efficiency. CO-to-CO, conversion was slightly enhanced by about 20% at temperatures of
about 900 K. Formation of carbon monoxide is incrementally increases when methanol is added to
H,O,. Mixtures of methanol and hydrogen peroxide can be injected to remove NO and to meet CO
regulations at reduced cost for the additive. In the presence of H,O,, CH, is effectively (70-90%)
removed from flue gas at 1000 K and at H,O#JO= 0.9-2.2. Kinetic modeling describes quantitatively
or at least qualitatively all substantial features of NO, SO,, CO and CH, reactions with H,Oz.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
This work was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy under a grant No. DE-FG05-93ER81538,
Project Officer - Dr. Robert S . Marianelli.
REFERENCES
I. Azuhata, S , Akimoto, H. and Hishimum, Y . AIChE Jourrial, v. 28, pp. 7-11 (1982).
2. Kee, R.J., Rupley, F.M. and Miller, J.A. Sadia Nat.L.ab.Rcport No. SAND89-8009 (1989).
3. Miller, J.A. and Bowman, C.T. Progr. Energy Combust. Sci., v. 15, pp. 287-338 (1989).
4. Lyon, R.K., Cole, J.A., Kramlich, J.C. and Chen, S.L. Comb. Flame, v. 81, pp. 30-39 (1990).
5. Evans, A.B.. Pont, J.N., and Seeker, W.R. (1993). Development of advanced NO, control concepts
for coal-fired utility boilers. EER Rcporf, DOE coiitract DE-AC22-90PC90363.
6. Kobayashi, H. Emir. Sci. Techno/, v. 11, No. 2, pp. 190-192 (1977).
7. Senjo. T. and Kobayashi, M. U.S. Patenr, 4,029,739 (1977).
8. Zamansky, V.M., Lyon, R.K., Evans, A.B., Pont, J.N., Seeker, W.R. and Schmidt, C.E. (1993).
Development of process to simultaneously scrub NO, and SO, from coal-fired flue gas, 1993
SO, Control Spy., EPRIEPADOE, Boston, Val. 3, Session 7.
9. Cooper. C.D., Clausen. C.A., Tomlin, D., Hewjett. M. and Martinez, A. J. Hazard. Mat., v. 27,
pp. 273-285 (1991).
1042
I
O L
500
EE" 40
d
020
0
500
a
1300
1043
100 , I
a
500 700 900 1100 1300
Temperature, K
-53 ppm H202 120 - -& - 63 ppm H202
b
80 --
E n
- 60.- -C
40 --
2
0 20.-
500 700 900 1100
Temperature, K
1300
Figure 4. CH, oxidation by H202 injection. (a) - experimental and (b) - modeling data for
t,= 1.0-1.8 s; mixture (1): 90 ppm CH, -(160-220) ppm H202 - 4.2% 0, - 4.8% H,O - balance N,;
mixture (2): 90 ppm CH, - (90-120) ppm H202- 4.4%0, - 1.7% H,O -balance N,.
600
E n
400 8
9 200
U
(II
I
0
600 700 800 900 1000 1100
Temperature, K
600 700 800 900 1000 1100
Temperature, K
Figure 5. NO and CO concentrations after pilot-scale injection of H20, (solid curves) and
CH,OH (dash curves). [Agentl/[NO]=lS. (a)-[NOl,=400 ppm,(b)-[NOl,=200 ppm.
80 - . & - - 8 4 ppm H202
B -.c9.5p pm H202
n 105 ppm H202
6 60
E" 40 L
.. .
--C
20 2
0
650 700 750 800 850 900 950
Temperature, K
100
E :: 80
20
0
I.. ...[.C.O..I.. ................... NO>
-
120
Figure 6. NO and CO concentrations after pilot-scale injection of H,O,/CH,OH mixtures.
([H,OJ+[CH,OHI)/[NOl,=l.[5N,O ],=70 ppm. (a) - temperature windows for various H20JCH,0H
mixtures, (b) - NO and CO concentrations at 800 K (at [H,OJ=O data are shown for 866 K).
I
1044
r"
EPRICON: Agentless Flue Gas Conditioning
For Electrostatic Precipitators
Peter Paul Bibbo
V.P. & G.M. of APCD
Research-Cottrell, Inc.
Division of Air & Water Technologies
Branchburg, New Jersey
Keywords: Electrostatic Precipitator, SO3 Gas Conditioning,
Oxidation Catalyst
INTRODUCTION
Achieving efficient particulate control in coal burning electric
utility plants is becoming an increasingly difficult proposition,
given the variety of regulatory, technical, operating and
environmental pressures that exist in the U.S.
For most powerplants, particulate control is achieved by an
electrostatic precipitator (ESP). Under optimal conditions, modern
ESPs are capable of achieving particulate removal.efficien-
CieS of 99.7% and higher ... well within the regulatory levels
Prescribed by the Clean Air Act. Unfortunately, optimal conditions
are not always present. ESPs are sensitive to flue gas
. conditions, and those conditions may change dramatically after a
fuel switch or the installation of some types of emissions control
technology upstream of the ESP.
Gas conditioning has been shown to be an effective means of
returning flue gas to the 'optimal" conditions required for efficient
ESP operation following a fuel switch to a low, or at
least, lower sulfur coal. Borrowing technology common in conventional
soap-making plants around the turn of the century, sulfurburning
SO3 gas conditioning has been the solution to may difficult
fuels in electrostatic precipitators. Although it has contributed
most to improved ESP performance after a fuel switch,
conventional gas conditioning has significant drawbacks, including
the need for maintaining a little chemical plant, and otherwise
storing or handling toxic materials.
In an effort to develop an alternative to conventional SO3,gas
conditioning, the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) initiated
a research and development project that has produced an
alternative and modern technology for flue gas conditioning, now
called EPRICON, and licensed it to Research-Cottrell.
FLUE GAS CONDITIONING
Changing Flue Gas Conditions
The majority of ESPS now operated by U.S. electric utilities
are more than 20 years old, and were designed to operate primarily
on high sulfur fuels. When designed, these devices were capable
of meeting opacity standards of 20 per cent and emissions
levels in the range of 0.1 lb/MMBtu. Those earlier emissions control
standards have been replaced by a host of subsequent regulations,
most recently the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, many
of which directly or indirectly affect particulate collection.
Switching from high sulfur to a lower sulfur coal is currently
the favored means of attaining compliance under Title IV of the
CAAA, which regulates acid gas emissions. Different coals have
different chemical and physical characteristics, however, and can
be expected to change flue gas conditions and particulate properties
substantially. Some low sulfur coals have high ash contents,
for example, and will increase particulate loading, which may
strain the ash handling system. For coals with a very low sulfur
content, typically one per cent or below,. the resulting flyash
exhibits high electrical resistivity, which may significantly
reduce ESP perfcrmanze.
Addressing High Resistivity
is converted to SO3 (typically less than 2%). When temperature
and humidity conditions are favorable, the SO3 thus generated is
absorbed on the surface of the flyash particles and is suffficient
to reduce ash electrical resistivity.
under acceptable resistivity levels and other good operating
conditions, ESPs can achieve collection efficiency over 99.9%.
High particle resistivity (typically above 5E10 ohm.cm) will
decrease the ESP's overall collection efficiency, however,
because dust begins to limit current flow and sparking voltage in
the ESP. AS an alternative to enlarging the ESP, gas conditioning
can restore the required resistivity conditions to ideal performance
levels.
Early applications of gas-conditioning used liquid SO3 which
was vaporized and diluted with dry air, or concentrated sulfuric
acid, which was vaporized with hot air. A second generation of
1045
A small fraction of the SO2 produced by the combustion of coal
gas-conditioning technology using SO2 as feed material was developed.
More recently, burning molten elemental sulfur to produce
SO2 prior to the catalyst bed was proven, and this technology
emerged in the 1970's as the dominant choice.
The EPRICON Process
The EPRICON process provides required gas conditioning without
the need for external agents, such as liquid SO2 or vaporized
molten sulfur. In addition, it eliminates the need to filter the
gas of particulates prior to its entry into the gas-conditioning
chamber, and eliminates the need for an additional fan to move
the conditioned gas into the electrostatic precipitator.
The process (Figure 1) operates by withdrawing a small fraction
of the flue gas from a location in the boiler where the
operating temperature is in the range of 800°F to 90O0F. This
fraction of flue gas, or slipstream, is then passed over a catalyst
heated by the gas, where between 30-70 percent of the SO2
in the flue gas is converted to SO3. The slipstream, now SO3-
rich, is re-injected after the air preheater but ahead of the
ESP to provide the required SO3 for the reduction of resistivity.
The feasibility of the technology is dependent on case-by-case
conditions. If, for example, 5ppm of SO3 can treat the ash adequately
and the flue gas contains 500 ppm, from 1 to 2 percent
of the gas must be treated. Conversely, if 15 ppm of SO is
needed, a little over 3 percent of the gas containing 580 ppm of
SO2 would have to be treated. Three percent is considered to be
the upper limit of a range for continuous operation that has
been identified, as economically and technically desirable,
although operation above this range to deal with difficult but
temporary coal supplies is feasible.
PILOT PLANT
ed by EPRI to determine the operability of the catalyst in a
slip-stream flue gas system over a period of time. The pilot
system was constructed at Alabama Power Company's plant Miller
and identified a number of design parameters for the EPRICON
process. This pilot is still in operation.
FULL SCALE DEMONSTRATION
installed a full-scale turnkey EPRICON system on a 250MW public
utility boiler in the Northeastern U . S . This boiler is about 25
years old, and was originally designed to fire a high sulfur
coal. The new compliance coal is to cover a wide variety oE
sources all of which will contain much lower sulfur than the
original design. The boiler is equipped with its original precipitator,
which cannot meet emissions regulations while the boiler
is firing compliance sulfur coal.
This full scale demonstration system (Figure 2) incorporated
the fundamental premises of the EPRICON technology, such as
avoidance of pre-cleaning the gas (the catalyst operates in
"dirty" raw flue gas) and the absence of an air mover to push
the slipstream through the catalyst chamber (gas flow is induced
through the catalyst by the differential pressure across the air
preheater). The full scale system also borrowed some of the
design parameters of the pilot program, mainly the catalyst
itself and its arrangement, but after that, the differences from
the pilot were many.
Inlet Duct
which provided the convenient design choice to provide two parallel
catalyst chambers, each with its own gas take-off. The boiler
gas remaim split all tho way through ::le grecipitators, which is
ideal for side-by-side diagnostic and characterization tests.
Also. there was no need to mix gas from two different temperature
sources.
The twin inlet ducts are fabricated from 1/4" ASTM-A242 plate
and insulated with 5" of mineral wool covered with a flat aluminum
lagging. The ducts are simply supported at the boiler casing
penetration and the top of the catalyst vessels. AII expansion
joint, a guillotine isolation damper, and motorized flow control
damper are installed right at the boiler off-take.
Catalyst Chamber
Although there is a variety of catalyst formulations and substrates
that can perform the necessary conversion, it was decided
to Stay with the same catalyst that was selected for the pilot.
(Figure 3 ) The chamber is a rectangular cross-section 6 ' - 6 x 10'-
4, fabricated from 1/4" A242 plate and has the catalyst blocks
arranged in six ( 6 ) layers (two (2) layers have purposely been
left empty for future catalyst addition, if necessary). The cata-
A pilot program on a pulverized coal-fired boiler was conduct-
In the spring of 1994, Research-Cottrell designed and
The boiler is physically split in the convective section,
1046
L l
/
lYSt is supported in the chambers by means of fabricated tee
sections. The gas flow through the chamber is vertically downward.
A generous gap was left between catalyst layers for fitting
with 'puff' blowers to knock of ash deposits that can form on
the flat tops of the catalyst blocks, but acoustic devices were
also installed as a alternative to air blowing.
Outlet Duct And Distribution System
This outlet duct is fitted with a guillotine shut-off damper
Provided to isolate the chamber for maintenance. Penetration of
Converted flue gas into the main gas duct is by means of a
unique "expansion box" from which the distribution header is
hung. The header answered one of the questions from the pilot
study: simple injection pipes and full height air foils have
proven excellent performance in terms of treated gas injection
and distribution upstream of a precipitator that is very close
Coupled to the air preheater.
System Control
Modulation of the system is simple. A flow transmitter in the
inlet duct modulates a double lovered flow control damper in the
inlet duct directly down stream of the inlet isolation guillotine
.
PERFORMANCE
variety of extraction and instrumented test procedures.
pilot tube and thermocouple. Good agreement was achieved on the
North (designated side 11) chamber between the measured flow rate
and the flow rate indicated by the installed electronic flow
meter. Flow rates were measured at full boiler load and at a
reduced boiler load. At full load, gas volumetric flow rate
ranged from 23,500 to 28,200 ACFM at approximately 850°F per
side. Lower boiler load tests were run between 13,400 and 15,300
ACFM per side.
SO3 Conversion
ber during 16 characterization tests using both an analyzer
installed on the boiler and by standard wet chemical procedure.
Again, agreement between these methods was good, so eventually,
most reliance was placed on the instrument reading which, besides
being faster, tends to be more accurate. SO3 measurements by analyzer
are not possible, so the Goksoyr-Ross controlled condensation
method was used.
SO3 conversion can be approximated by the difference in SO2
concentration at the inlet and outlet of the EPRICON chamber, and
by direct measurement in SO3 at the inlet and outlet, the difference
being the apparent conversion from SO2 to SO3 by the
action of the catalyst.
Direct SO3 measurement indicated a conversion from about 10
ppm at the inlet to about 200 ppm at the outlet, for an average
conversion of over 70% at full load expressed in standard units.
(Figure 4) At low load, conversion increased, as expected, to
about 85%. Compared to SO2 measurements, the SO3 levels at the
outlet of the chamber appear to be understated. However, the
Goksoyr-Ross method is a non-isokintetic technique which would
tend to under-collect fly ash at the EPRICON outlet. If any SO3
were to become attached to flyash particles, perhaps by adsorption
above the condensation temperature, this fraction of the
converted SO2 could easily be missed by the test method.
Conditions At The Precipitator Inlet
SG3 concentrations at the BSP inlet ranged between 12 and 23
ppm at high and low boiler loads, respectively. So3 and temperature
uniformity were of great interest in the design stage, so
gas sampling at several locations in a grid across the ESP face
was done to measure both SO3 and gas temperature.
The results showed acceptable uniformity for both parameters,
and prove the adequacy of the injection apparatus for this technology.
Temperatures were also measured with EPRICON dampered
off. Average flue gas temperature rise across the face of the
ESP was uniformly above 10°F. a little lower than expected, which
is most likely attributable to the somewhat lower than expected
gas outlet temperature from the chambers. SO3 concentration again
is probably slightly understated due to the non-isokinetic nature
of the direct measurement procedure.
Flyash Resistivity And Precipitator Current Density
Fly ash resistivity was not measured directly during these
first characterization tests, but ESP power levels were recorded
with and without EPRICON valved in. Power levels were, monitored
1041
Characterization tests were run in June and July 1994, using a
Flow rates were established using EPA approved methods with a
SO was measured at the inlet and outlet of the EPRICON chamwith
one EPRICON chder on line and the other chamber cut Off
with its outlet isolation damper. The on-line chamber was then
shut off and the other chamber was brought on line.
In each case, the change in ESP power was significant and rapid,
showing a strong correlation between EPRICON chamber SO2 content
and ESP corona power. (Figure 5) The fact that each EPRICON
chamber serves a separate precipitator reinforces this conclusion.
Total ESP power was increased about 200% on Side 11 28 kw
to 68 kw and a little less on Side 12 (35 kw to 65 kw). Overall
ESP was increased from 0.25jWattsjFt2 to 0.53 WattsjFt2.
Second Full Scale Unit
near-identical 250MW boiler at the same plant site. Since a complete
battery of characterization and performance tests were not
completed prior to the decision to install this second system,
the catalyst chambers are virtually identical except that the
second unit has a simpler access system. This unit was completed
in December, 1994.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Compared to conventional gas conditioning, the EPRICON gas
conditioning system minimizes the need for external chemicals or
apparatus to achieve a reduction of resistivity. The system is
applicable to power stations with high resistivity ash, often
produced by the use of low-sulfur coals, that can be treated
adequately with SO3. That reduction of electrical resistivity
will enhance the performance of the ESP particulate-collection
device.
Capital Cost
Based on these two, 250 MW installations, the EPRICON technology
is expected to cost under $4.50/kw on a completely installed
turnkey basis. These two boilers are big enough to scale well to
most other utility sizes except perhaps units over 600 MW or so.
Between 100 and 600 MW, the use of dual chambers should be a
preferred choice when separate or unitized precipitators are
installed, and this is typically the case. Installation labor and
auxiliaries such as dampers, expansion joints, and access systems
comprise over 50% of the total system cost.
Operating Costs
The operating costs of EPRICON are noted in two areas: thermal
penalty due to the 3 percent of flue gas unavailable for heat
exchange through the air preheater, and maintenance of the catalyst
bed. Thermal penalties are estimated to be insignificant for
slipstreams of 3 percent or below however, this assumption will
be vigorously tested in full scale tests. Catalyst rejuvenation
costs are anticipated every two years to restore SO2 conversion
efficiency at a minimum of 50 percent. This translates to less
than 7 cents per kw per year.
as a result of breakage. Catalyst replacement costs are estimated
at approximately $1,000 annually.
Present Status
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Brown, Robert F., Quantitative Determination of Sulfar Doxide,
Sulfur Trioxide and Moisture Cont of Flue Gases.
Dahlin, R.S., et al, SRI and Others. A Field Study of a
Combined NH3 Conditioning System on a Cold-S Fly-Ash Precipitator
at a Coal-Fired Power Plant.
Dismukes, Edward 9. A Review of Flue Gas Conditioning 1983 with
Ammonia & Organic Amines. Paper presented at the 76th Annual
Meeting of the Air Pollution Control Association, Atlanta, GA.,
June 19-24, 198:.
Linsberg, Mark, Ferrigan, James, Krigmont, Henry. Evaluation of
an SO3 Flue Gas Conditioning Program for Precipitator Enhancement
at the J.M. Stuart Station. Presented at the 1987 Joint Power
Generation Conference, Miami, FL, October 4-8.
Eskra, Bryan, Kinney, Bill G., One Year's Operating Experience
with SO3 Condition on a Large Coal-Fired Unit's Electrostatic
Precipitator. Presented at the Air Pollution Control Ass. Annual
(75th) Meeting., New Orleans, LA June 20-25 1982.
La Rue, J.M.. Latham, B.F., SO3 Conditioning Agent System for
Fly-Ash Precipitators.
Singhvi, R., Sulfur Dioxide to Sulfur Trioxide Conversion Using
Vanadium Pentoxide as a Catalyst Determination of Sulfur Dioxide
Concentration at the Catalytic Converter Outlet.
WhalCO, Cumings, W.E., Reamy, W.H., Baltimore Gas & Electric
Experience with Combined SO3/?i~i3 Injection for Precipitator
Performance Improvement.
-
In October, 1994, work began on a second EPRICON system on a
A second maintenance cost is incurred for catalyst replacement
1048
I Figure 1. EPRICON Process I
Figure 2. Full Scale System
(one of two sides)
Figure 3. Catalyst
I
I
,/ 1049
IO is 0
ac .u O.fL.U.1
Figure 4. Apparent SO, Enrichment
I Figure 5. Precbilator Power Enhancement I
1050
CONTINUOUS REMOVAL OF SULFUR OXIDES AT AMBIENT TEMPERATURE,
USING ACI?VATED CARBON FIBERS AND PARTICULATES
Y. Fei, Y.N. Sun, E. Givens and F. Derbyshire
Center for Applied Energy Research, University of Kentucky.
3572 Iron Works Pike, Lexington, KY 4051 1-8433
Keywords: Activated carbon fibers, flue gas, clean-up, SO2 removal
INTRODU~ION
The control of sulfur dioxide emissions from fossil fuel.combustion and other industrial processes
has ken recognized as one of the major environmental issues, in both developed and developing
countries. In the US, energy-intensive and space-consuming sorbent scrubbing processes that are
widely used to remove SO2 from flue gases also produce huge amounts of process wastes. The
management and disposal of the by-product wastes by landlill not only represent poor resource
utilization, but can cause furrher environmental and land use problems.
Activated carbons have offered alternative technologies for the clean-up of flue gas streams. A
dry process for the simultaneous removal of sulfur and nitrogen oxides has been commercialized
by Mitsui - Bergbau Forschung, using granular activated carbons[l]. Carbon is lost in this pmess
by chemical reaction and by athition, and to supplement this loss accounts for about half of the
process operating cost. In addition, high capital costs are associated with the large reactor
volumes and the systems to transport ganular carbons in moving bed operations, and have
provided obstacles to the wide-scale development and use of the process.
In the early 1970s. studies were made of the continuous oxidation and hydration of sulfur dioxide
over granular activated carbons in a mckle bed, with the desorption of sulfuric acid by flowing
water in the same reactor [2]. Similar concepts of water desorption have been also proposed for
the regeneration of activated carbons [3]. An important feature of these methods is that sulfur
species are converted to useful chemicals in the form of sulfuric acids. However, the wet
desulfurization process is limited by slow rates of oxidation and mass transfer through liquid
phase. Improvements have been recently made to increase process effectiveness and to obtain
high concentration sulfuric acid, including cyclic operation of trickle beds, higher reaction
temperature (at 80 OC rather than ambient temperature) and the loading of platinum on activated
carbons [4,5]. A combined process that also removes NOx has been proposed through selective
catalytic reduction (SCR) with ammonia in a separate unit, possibly using a different activated
carbon catalyst [5]. On the other hand, Mochida and his coworkers at Kyushu University, Japan,
have found that activated carbon fibers (ACF) produced commercially from polyacrylonitrile
(PAN) are very effective catalysts for the continuous removal of SO2 from humidified model flue
gases [6,7]. These and other commercial activated carbon fibers have also exhibited activity for
NO oxidation into NO2 at ambient temperature [E].
For the past few years, we have been investigating the synthesis of general purpose carbon fibers
and activated carbon fibers from different isotropic pitch precursors [9,10.11]. In collaboration
with the Japanese researchers, we have found that certain fibers that we have synthesized in the
laboratory are very active for the oxidation of SO2 and NO [12]. The results were so encouraging
that we constructed a reaction system to make further investigations. In this paper, we describe the
performance of activated carbon fibers and particulate activated carbons for the continuous removal of
SO2. The effects of heat treatment, particle size, and several basic engineering parameters of the catalyst
bed were also examined.
EXPERIMENTAL.
Comparisons of catalytic activities for SO2 conversion were made using three different types of
activated carbon fibers and a commercial granular activated carbon in two particle size ranges.
The activated carbon fibers were produced from coal-tar pitch (a commercial product from Osaka
Gas Co.) and synthesized in this laboratory from shale oils and coal liquids (The details of the
preparation procedure have been described elsewhere [9,101). The granular activated carbon
(BPL type, Calgon Corp.) was produced from bituminous coals and was selected for the study
because this material has been already tested in model flue gas-water systems for SO2 oxidation
[4,5,13,141. Different particle size ranges were obtained by grinding and sieving. The properties
of the activated carbon fibers and particles are summarized in Table 1. Their BET surface areas
are varied from 980 to 1060 m?g. The activated carbon samples were either used directly or after
heat treatment h nitrogen at 8CCI OC for 1 hour.
1051
Figure 1 shows a schematic of the reaction system. The flow of dry gases from cyliiders were
metered by mass flow controllers (MFC) into a mixing chamber. Water was added to the gas
mixture exiting the mixing chamber, by passing a stream of air through a water bubbler that is
maintained at constant temperature. The combined gas mixture. was fed to reactor at a flow rate
that can be varied from 100 to 3000 ml/min. A tubular glass reactor (typically, 08 x 110 m)
was equipped with a insulating jacket for liquid media to be circulated to maintain a stable
reaction temperature. The catalyst bed dimensions can be altered through exchanging different
size tubular reactors. The SO2 concentration in the gas stream was monitored continuously with
an infrared analyzer. . The reactor exit gas was passed through a liquid collector and an ice trap
before entering the SO2 analyzer in order to reduce the water vapor pressure to a low and steady
level. The liquid products from the reactor were drained into the liquid collector.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
Both fiber and particulate activated carbons in their as-received forms exhibited measurable
activity for the oxidative removal of SOz from the simulated flue gas, Figure 2. In each case, after
a short time on stream, SOz was detected in the emuent gases and increased in concenuation to a
steady value. The steady-state removal (SSR) of SO2 is dependent upon the type of activated
carbon. The shale oil-derived fibers showed the highest activity, with 60% SO2 removal at steady
state. This result is consistent with our earlier findings [12]. The Osaka Gas fibers had much lower
activity as observed by the Kyushu University group [7], and were comparable to the performance
of some granular carbons. The much higher activity of the shale oil fibers is believed to be related
to their high nitrogen content (coal-tar pitch fibers -0.5 wt% versus >2.5 wt% for shale oil
products). although the specific role and form of the nitrogens is not understood.
It is to be noted that the activity of the granular carbons is significantly increased upon reducing
the particle size. This indicates the importance of mass transfer limitations in the reaction process
and that these can be reduced by using smaller particle sizes. In practical terms, a catalyst bed
consisting of h e panicle activated carbons would give a high pressure drop, especially in the
two-phase flow regime where sulfuric acid is draining through the bed. By u
carbon fibers in some suitable arrangement (other than loosely packed), the advantages of
reducing mass transfer effects could be realized without the attendant penalty in pressure drop.
The open pore structure of fiber beds would facilitate fast contact with the reaction surfaces
contained in 10 - 20 microns filaments and assist liquid drainage.
Figure. 3 shows the effects of prior heat treatment on the catalytic activities of both particulate and
fiber activated carbons. Heat treatment has been found to be. effective for improving the catalytic
activity of commercial PAN and coal tar pitch-based activated carbon fibers [6,7,8]. At equivalent
loading, the activity of the fibers decreased in the order, shale oil >> coal liquids > coal tar pitch
(Osaka Gas fiber). As in Figure. 2, the small particle granular carbon is somewhat more active than
the Osaka Gas fibers, although at double the loading. A comparison of Figures 2 and 3 shows that
the pretreatment procedure greatly increased the steady state activity of the shale oil fibers, from
60 % to about 90 % SO2 removal. It can be seen that at high loading, 100% steady state removal
was achieved with heat-treated shale oil fibers and this activity was maintained for at least 72
hours. In mnnast, the extent of activity improvement is smaller for Osaka Gas fibers and the small
particle BPL carbons.
Table 2 summarizes the typical reaction conditions and parameters of the catalyst beds for the two
forms of activated carbons: shale oil fibers and small particle granules. Because of the low density
of the fibers, only half the weight of the particulate activated carbons can be packed in a similar
volume. With areactant gas flow rate at 200 drnin, space velocities of 10380 and 9180 h.1 were
obtained for the activated carbon fiber and particle beds, respectively. Under these conditions,
about 90 % SO2 removal was achieved, using heat-treated shale oil fibers with a bed depth of only
23 mm (Figure 3). Complete removal of SQ was obtained by the activated fiber bed 46 m
deep, with a corresponding space velocity of 5180 hl. In contrast, using a trickle bed reactor
with granular activated carbons, a few meters depth would be needed to achieve 95% SQ
removal at velocity of from loo0 to 2850 h-I [151. The high rates of mass transfer and reaction
over activated carbon fibers would permit the treatment of high SO2 content flue gases and
production of more and highconcentration sulfuric acids as by-product
SUMMARY
The catalytic performance of fibrous and particulate activated carbons obtained from different
precursors was investigated for SO, removal at ambient temperature, using a humidified model
flue gas. Despite their similar BET surface areas, activated carbon fibers prepared in the
laboratory from shale oil and coal liquids were found to exhibit much higher activity than a
1052
COnlmercial activated carbon fiber pToduced from coal tar pitch. This confirmed our early findings.
It iS considered that the high nitrogen content of the shale oil fibers is an important connibutor to
their high activity. However, the form of nitrogen species, and the nature and the role of the
SWace groups are not yet understood. Comparisons between activated carbon fibers and
parricdates indicate that the small dimensions (a couple of tens of micron diameters) of the fibers
is a key factor to realidng the full catalytic potential for this application, because of high mass
msfer resistance in the gas-liquid-solid system. Carbon fiber beds can provide an open pore
SUucture through which reactants and products in both gas and liquid phases can flow to reach
and to interact with the surfaces of carbon catalysts.
REFERENCES
1. Y. Komatsubara, I. Shuaishi, M. Yano and S . Ida, Nenryo Kyokaishi (I. Fuel Society, Jpn), 64,
255 (1985).
2. M. Hamnan and R. Coughlin, "Oxidation of SO, in a trickle bed reactor packed with carbon",
Chemical Engineering Science, 27,867(1972).
3. K. Yamamoto. K. Kaneko and M. Seiki. Kogyu Kogaku Kaishi. 74.84(1971).
4. P. M. Haure, R. R. Hudgins and P. L. Silveston, "Periodic operation of a trickle bed reactor".
AIChiE Journal, 35(9), 21437(1989).
5. S. K. Gangwal, G. B. Howe, J. J. Spivey, P. L. Silveston, R. R. Hudgins, J. G. Metzinger.
"Low-temperature carbon-based process for flue-gas cleanup", Environmental Progress, 12(2),
28(1993).
6. S. Kisamori, S. Kawano and I. Mochida, "Continuous removal of SO, in the model flue gas
over PAN-ACF with recovering aqueous H,SO,", Chemistry Letter, 1893(1993).
7. S. Kisamori, K. Kuroda, S . Kawano, I. Mochida, Y. Matsumura and M. Yoshikawa.
"Oxidative removal of SO, and recovery of H,SO, over poly(acryloniai1e)-based activated carbon
fibers". Energy & Fuel, 8,1337(1994).
8. I. Mochida, S . Kisamori, M. Hironaka, S. Kawano, Y. Matsumura and M. Yoshikawa,
"Oxidation of NO into NO, over activated carbon fibers", Energy &Fuel, 8,1341(1994). '
9. Y.Q. Fei, F. Derbyshire. M. Jagtoyen and G. Kimber. "Synthesis of carbon fibers and activated
carbon fibers from coal liquids", Proceedings, Eleven Annual Conference, Pittsburgh Coal
Conference, Pittsburgh, PA, September 12-16, p.174, 1994.
10.Y.Q. Fei, F. Derbyshire, M. Jagtoyen and I. Mochida, "Advantages of producing carbon
fibers and activated carbon fibers from shale oils", Proc., Eastern Oil Shale Symposium,
Lexington, KY, USA, Nov.16-19, 1993, p38.
11. Y.Q. Fei, M. Jagtoyen, F. Derbyshk and I. Mochida, "Activated carbon fibers from
petroleum, shale oil and cod liquids", Ext. Abstracts and Program, International Conference on
Carbon, Granada, Spain, June 3-8, p.666, 1994.
12. F. Derbyshire, Y.Q. Fei. M. Jagtoyen and I. Mochida, "Activated carbon fibers for gas
clean-up", Abstracts, International Workshop: Novel Technology for DeSOx and DeNOx,
Fukuoka, Japan, Jan. 13-14,1994.
13. A.R. Mata and J. M. Smith, "Oxidanon of S0,in aickle bed reactor", Chem.Eng. Journal, 22,
229(1981)
14. H. Komiyama and J. M. Smith, "S0,oxidation in slurry of activated carbon", AIChiE Journal,
21, 664(1975)
15. P. L. Silveston and S. K. Gangwal, "SO2 removal in a periodic operated aickle bed",
Proceedings, Eleven Annual Conference, Pittsburgh Coal Conference, Pittsburgh, PA, September
12-16. p.797, 1994.
1053
Table 1 Properties of Activated Carbon Catalysts
Sample ID
AF-SK25
AF-CE
AF-010
BC2060
BC6012
Type Size'(pm) B ~ Pre~cursor $ ~ ~ ~
fiber 6 - 16 986 shale oil
fiber 8 - 18 101 3 coal liquid
fiber 8 - 20 1057 coal tar
particle 200 - 600 1048 coal
Darticle 600 - 1200 1020 coal
' Diameter for fibers or particles
AF-SK25
0.25
8
1 23 1.16
Table 2 Comparison of reaction conditions and SO,
removal for activated carbon fibers and particles
AC twe I fiber I Darticte 1
Temperature (OC)
Space velocity b) (hl)
Catalyst bed:
AC ID a)
Weight (9)
Diameter (mm)
Depth (mrn)
Volume (cm3)
30 30
10380 91 80
BC2060
0.50
8
26
1.31
ISteady state removalb)(%)) 89 1 19
a) Samples heat-treated at 800 OC for 1 h in nitrogen.
b) Reactant gas at 200 mVmin: SO, 1000 ppm, 0,5 vol %
H,O 10 vol %. N, balance.
CsO,/N, o*N2al Nz MFC
3 r
4
i Analyzer i Figure 1 Schematic of reaction system for evaluation of SO,
continuous removal at ambient temperature:
1, Mass flow controller; 2, Mixing chamber; 3, Water bubbler;
4, Reactor; 5, Liquid product collector; 6, Ice trap
1054
Removal (“A)
Shale 011 fiber (0.25g. AFSK25)
40 n
Partlcle (OSg, BC2060)
Osaka Gas fiber (0.259, AF-010)
0 6 12 18 24 30 36
Reaction Time (h)
Figure 2 Activity of as-received activated carbons for SO, removal at 30 OC;
Reactant gas: 200 mllmin, lOOOppm SO,, 5 vol% 02,lO vol% H,O in N,
Removal (%)
100
Partlcle (OSg, BC2060)
0 6 12 18 24 30 66 72
Reaction Time (h)
Figure 3 Activity of heat-treated activated carbons for SO, removal at 30 OC;
Reactant gas: 200 mllrnln, lOOOpprn so,,5 vol% 0,, 10 vol% H,O in N,
Heat treatment: 800 OC, 1 h, in nitrogen
/
1055
THE EFFECT OF H20 ON THE ACTIVITY OF
Cu/ZSMS-BASED CATALYSTS FOR LEAN-NO, REDUCTION
Hung-Wen Jen, Cliff Montreuil, and Haren Gandhi
Chemical Engineering Department
Ford Research Laboratories, Ford Motor Company
Mail Drop 3179, 20000 Rotunda Drive
Dearborn, MI 48121
Keywords: CU/ZSM~; NO, Reduction; Steam Deactivation.
INTRODUCTION
The reports on the high activity of Cu/ZSMS catalysts for the
reduction of'NO in excess Oz [1,21 have generated great interest
in automotive industry. The successful development of catalysts
capable of catalyzing the NO,-reduction under lean conditions is
a requisite for the application of lean-burn engine technology to
production vehicles. The technology offers the potential of
enhancing fuel economy and lowering engine-out pollutants [ 3 1 . A
practical automotive catalyst has to have sufficient activity and
long-term durability over the entire range of operating
conditions.
In the process of evaluating Cu/ZSMS-based catalysts for lean-NO,
reduction in our laboratory, it was found that the activity
decreased as the time on-stream increased. Later, the main cause
of the deactivation was determined to be H20 (steam). The
deactivation has been shown to be accompanied by de-alumination
of the zeolite structure using "Al-nmr spectroscopy [41. The
deactivation of Cu/ZSMS under conditions of typical vehicle
exhaust is well known now, but. there is no report with detailed
data representing the process of steam deactivation and comparing
the reactivities of fresh and deactivated catalysts under a broad
range of temperatures.
In this report, the results from our study concerning the effects
of steam on the activities of Cu/ZSMS catalysts are presented.
The detailed data for the experiments leading to the finding of
steam deactivation are included. Also, the activities for fresh
and steam-deactivated Cu/ZSM5 catalysts are compared between 300
and 600 OC. The temporary effect of steam poisoning on .the
. activities for lean-NO, reduction depended on the catalysts. The
variation may be related to the nature of Cu-sites on the Cu/ZSMS
catalysts.
EXPERIMENTAL
The catalysts used in this report were either powder samples or
cordierite monoliths washcoated with Cu/ZSMS. Cu/ZSMS materials
were prepared by a conventional exchange method using HZSMS or
NaZSMS and Cu-acetate. The activity of a catalyst in a flow
reactor system was determined by the difference between the inlet
and outlet concentrations of a reaction gas. Gas concentrations
were monitored using commercial gas analyzers for NO,, HC (total
hydrocarbon), CO, and 02.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
In Figure 1, the activity of a monolith catalyst containing
Cu/ZSMS was measured versus the time in the exhaust generated
from a pulsed flame combustor [SI. In the combustor, isooctane
vapor mixed in a flow of air was thermally combusted. Extra
oxygen was added into the exhaust to simulate lean-burn engine
exhaust. The NO,-conversion decreased with the on-stream time.
One hour on stream was comparable to 30 miles of vehicle
operation. The durability of the Cu/ZSMS-based catalyst. in the
exhaust of combusted isooctane was not good.
There are several possible sources that can deactivate a catalyst
in the automobile exhaust. The results in Figur,e 2 were obtained
to determine the effect of SOZ. The NO,-conversions for two
identical monolith catalysts were measured. One catalyst was
exposed to a synthetic gas mixture with 20 ppm SO2, while the
other one was exposed to the same gas mixture but without S02.
The NO,-conversion for either catalyst decreased with time. The
1056
two curves of NO,-conversion versus time were superimposable. The
comparison in Figure 2 clearly shows that SO2 is not the cause Of
the observed deactivation.
Figure 3 shows the activities of three identical catalysts versus
aging time. The aging process was simply the heating of a
catalyst in a flow of air. After a certain period of aging, the
catalyst was moved to a flow reactor system and the activity was
measured using a dry mixture of reaction gases. Two catalysts
were aged at 480 OC, one in dry air and the other in wet air
Containing 10% H20. The conversion of NO,, HC or CO remained
constant for 300 hours over the catalyst aged in d,'y air. The
Conversion for the catalyst aged in wet air at 480 C decreased
with aging time. The sole difference between the constant and
decreasing activities was the existence of 10% H20 in the aging
media (air). Clearly, the heating in the presence of H20-steam
caused the deactivation of Cu/ZSM5 catalysts. The decrease in the
activity for the catalyst aged at 380 'C in wet air was also
detectable, even though the rate of decrease was smaller than
that aged at 480 OC.
In order to compare the activities in a broad range of
temperatures, the NO,-conversion for a fresh CuNaZSM5 catalyst
was measured in a temperature-programed-cooling process from 600
to 300 "C at 12 'C/min(Figure 4). The addition of 9% H20 into the
reaction mixture caused a significant decrease in the NO,-
conversion. The activity generally could be regained when the 9%
H20 was turned off, if the exposure to the steam was not long and
the temperature was not very high. The same experiment was done
for the same catalyst which had been aged in 20% H20 (figure 5).
The NO,-conversion for the aged catalyst was lower than that for
the fresh catalyst as expected. However, the addition of 9% H20
had little effect on the NO,-conversion of the aged catalyst. The
result indicated that the part of the activity vulnerable to the
temporary poisoning of the steam present in the reaction mixture
was the first lost to the long term steam-deactivation. The
phenomenon may be related to the existence of different Cu-sites
on Cu/ZSM5 catalysts.
CONCLUSION
Cu/ZSM5-based catalysts for lean-NO, reduction deactivated after
long term exposure to the simulated exhaust gas mixture. The
cause of deactivation is the exposure at high temperature to
steam that is always present in vehicle exhaust. For the fresh
CuNaZSM5 catalyst, HzO had a temporary poisoning effect on the
NO, conversion. For the steam-aged CuNaZSM5 catalyst, the
poisoning effect of H2O on the NO,-conversion was not noticeable.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The CuNaZSM5 samples were kindly provided by Carolyn Hubbard and
Mordecai Shelef.
REFERENCES
(1) Held, W,Konig, A., Richter, T. and Puppe, L., SAE Paper
(2) Sato, S., Yu-U, Y., Yahiro, H., Mizuno, N. and Iwamoto, M.,
( 3 ) "Automotive Fuel Economy: How far Should We Go?", National
900496 (1990).
Appl. Catal. 70, L1 (1991).
Research Council, National Academic Press, Washinton, D. C.,
1992, pp 217-226.
(4) Grinsted, R. A., Jen, H. W., Montreuil, C. N., Rokosz, M. 3.
and Shelef, M., Zeolites, 13, 602 (1993).
(5) Otto, K., Dalla Betta, R. A. and Yao, H. C., J. Air
Pollution Control Association, 2, 596 (1974).
1057
~
MILES
(Thousands)
Figure 1. Activity of CdZSM5-Containing Monolith aged in Pusled Flanie Combustor
SiOdAI101=32, 2.41~1%C u on CdZSM5, SV=30,000 1:r.I. T=482 "C
HOURS
Figure 2. ENect of Aging in SO1 for CdZSM5-coi:taining Monolith in Flow Reactor
SiOl/Al1O1 = 32, 2.41~~1%Cu on CdZSM5, SV = 50,000 hi', T = 482 "C
3.45%02, 1517ppniC1H6, 756ppn1CIHB.490ppn:N0,0.3%C0,0.1%H,,
12% CO1, 10% H20,N 2b alance
100
BO - s
60 -
c 0
7 40
c
._
2
6
20
0
Rx. Condilion:
50.000 hr-1
T-482T
500 ppm NO
1600 PP C3Hg
800 Ppm c3Hg
0 25% CO
Aging Time (Hour)
Figure 3. Erect of Aging in H1O for CdZSMS-conlaining Monolith in Flow Reacfor
SiO21AI20, = 32. 2.41~1% Cu on CdZSM5
1058
80 ...
s '. - 60
0
0" 40 .p
20
0 1 I
600 550 500 450 400 350 300
Temperature. C
Figure 4. EWcl ofH20 in Rcacrion Mislure on Nosonversion for Fresh CuNaZSM5
Si02/A120, = 46. 2.8 $VI% Cu, 0.15 g sample
5% 02,11 20 ppni C3 (C,HdC,He = 2). 55Oppm NO, 0.5 lliiiin Flow
GOO 550 500 450 400 350 300
Temperature. C
Figure 5. ElTcct of H20 in Reaction Mislurc on NOsonvcrsion for Steam-aged CuNaZSMS
SiO2/AI2O, = 46, 2.8 \VIVO Cu, 0.15 g s3mplc
5% 021,1 20 ppm C3 (C3HJC,Hs = 2). S50ppin NO, 0.5 Vmin Flow
1059
ON THE MECHANISM OF NO DECOMPOSITION AND SELECTNE CATALYTIC
REDUCTION BY HYDROCARBONS OVER CU-ZSM-5
In our s t u d y o f d i r e c t NO
decomposition[4,5], we observed that the
ls+4p electronic transition of CuQ) in Cu-
ZSM-5 appears as a narrow, intense peak
which is an effective measure of changes in
the population of copper oxidation states.
This transition is quite intense after Cu-
ZSM-5 is activated in inert gas flow. The
number of oxygen atoms surrounding the
copper ions also drops from 4 to 2 during
the auto-reduction. After the admission of
transition intensity decreases but by no
a NOM, gas mixture, the CuQ) Is+4p
Di-Jia Liu
AlliedSignal Research and Technology
50 E. Algonquin Road, Des Plaines. EL 60017-5016
1
I
1-
a
IP-wsrr, .-a- 1
Keywords: Mechanism, NO decomposition, NO selective catalytic reduction by hydrocarbons
The initial reports on the catalytic activity of CU-ZSM-5 during NO decomposition and selective
catalytic reduction (SCR) by hydrocarbons[ 1-31 have generated a lot of excitement and the followup
research on this catalyst in recent years. Although the lack of hydrothermal aging stability may
prohibit its practical application, Cu-ZSM-5 provides an excellent system for studying the
mechanism and the structure-function relationship of the zeolite based NOx reduction catalysts.
Reported here are our most recent analysis of the data obtained from the investigations of the
catalytic mechanisms of NO removal over a Cu-ZSM-5 catalyst using the in situ X-ray absorption
spectroscopy method. Two mechanism were studied and compared, they are a) direct NO catalytic
decomposition and b) NO SCR by hydrocarbons in M oxygen-rich gas mixture. The difference and
similarity between the two mechanisms were found through the analysis of cuprous and cupric ion
transition energy shifts, the changes of local coordination structure, the influence of cuprous ion
formation/catalytic activities by Cu exchange level and the type ofhydrocarbon used in the catalytic
reactions. The results are summarized in Table I.
I
the normalized cuprous ion concentration and
found it correlates well with the NO
decomposition rate from 300 to 500 "C.
Shown in Fig. 1. This finding supports the
conjecture that CuQ) participates in a redox
mechanism during catalyzed NO
decomposition in Cu-ZSM-5 at elevated
temperature. The active site is a two-oxygen
coordinated cuprous ion.
In our study of the SCR of NO by
hydrocarbons[6], we observed that, even under
fraction of copper ion in ZSM-5 Can be reduced in different gas mixmcs with NO conversion level.
to Cu(1) at elevated temperature. The rate of
1060
I
I
formation of Cup) is less sensitive to the exchange level than to the type of hydrocarbons used. The
Power of reducing Cu(II) to Cup) follows the sequence, C,Hp2,H,>CH4, with methane practically
equals to zero. The similar Cu Is-Mp transition was observed although the peak energy shifted at
different reaction temperature, indicatingthe formation of the Cup)-organic ligands possibly allylic
species duringthe catalysis. XANES spectra showthat the Cum Is+4ptransition intensity changes
with the reaction temperature in a similar pattern as the NO conversion activity (solid line in Fig.
2, obtained from Ref. 7) in the NO/C,HJO, mixture. Shown in Fig. 2. For comparison purposes,
we also studied the Cum concentration change in a similar gas mixture where propene is
stoichiometrically replaced by methane or propane. Unlike propene, methane shows no selectivity
for NO reduction over CU-ZSM-5. We did not observe any window of Cup) enhancement. Propane
is a selective reducing agent and we indeed observed awindow of Cup) enhancement although the
intensity is much weaker than that observed with propene. Our study indicates that, even in a
strongly oxidizing environment, cupric ion can be partially reduced by propene or propane to form
a Cu(1) which is a crucial step for effective NO conversion through a redox mechanism.
Table I. The difference and similarity in oxidation state, coordination structure and reaction
mechanism between NO decomDosition and NO SCR bv hydrocarbons over CU-ZSM-5
NO Decomposition
The cuprous ion. Cu(I), is observed during
the direct NO catalytic decomposition,
suggesting a redox mechanism in which the
catalyst's active site is Cu(I). Cup) is formed
through the auto-reduction at elevated
temperature which involves a dicopper
process. Cu(I) formation is sensitive to the
Cu exchange level and the "excessively"
exchanged Cu-ZSM-5 maintains higher
concentration of Cup) than that of
"underexchanged under the reaction
conditions.
The ls+4p electronic transition of Cup) does
not shift its energy at different reaction
temperature, indicating that no significant
variation occurs to Cu(1) coordination
environment
The cuprous ion formed through autoreduction
is coordinated by two oxygen
atoms. No clear higher shell structure is
observed. Under direct NO decomposition,
copper ions consist of the mixture of Cu(I)
and Cu(II), Cum) is coordinated by four
oxygen atoms.
Cup) concentration increases with the
reaction temperature, and is correlated with
the NO decomposition rate from 300 to
500OC. Discrepancy is observed at 600 "C.
Cup) concentration decreases sensitively
with the increase of the oxygen concentration
i-n the gas phase.
NO SCR by Hydrocarbons
The cuprous ion is also observed during the
NO selective catalytic reduction by
hydrocarbons, suggesting a redox
mechanism which involves the conversion
between Cu@) and Cu(1). Cu(1) is formed
through the reduction by hydrocarbons. The
rate of formation of Cu(1) is not sensitive to
exchange level, rather it is very sensitive to
the type of hydrocarbons used. The reducing
power is C&> C,H,>CH, with methane
practically equals to zero.
The ls-Mp transition energy is shifted at
different reaction temperature in the
NO/C,HJO, mixture, indicating that the
local coordination of Cu(1) varies with the
reaction conditions. No energy shift is
observed in propane or methane mixture.
Cu(I) formed by olefine (propene) reduction
is also likely to be coordinated by two
oxygen atoms, with a possible Cu allylic
bond which has not been identified
unambiguously. No evidence of the allylic
compound formation was observed for
propane and methane mixtures.
~~
Cup) concentration as the function of the
reaction temperature depends on the gas
compositions. For SCR by propene,
normalized Cup) intensity at various
temperature appears to overlap with the
normalized reaction rate versus the
temperature.
Cue) concentration also decreases with the
increase of the oxygen concentration, but
with less degree of sensitivity.
1061
References:
1. M. Iwamoto , H. Yahiro, Y. Mine, S. Kagawa, Chem. Lett., (1989) 213.
2. M. Iwamoto, H. Yahiro, S. Shundo, Y. Yu-u, N. Mizuno, Appl. Catal. 69 (1991) L15-Ll9.
3. W. Held, A. KBnig, T. Richter, L. Puppe, SAE paper 900496.
4. Di-Jia Liu and Heinz J. Robota, ACS Symposium Book Series. No. 587, Reduction of Nitrogen
5. Di-Jia Liu and Heinz J. Robota, Catal. Lett. 1291 (1993).
6. Di-Jia Liu and Heinz J. Robota, Applied Catalysis B: (Environmental) 4, 155, (1994).
7. M. Iwamoto, N. Mizuno, and H. Yahiro, Sekiyu Gakkaishi, 34,375, (1991).
Oxide Emissions (U.S. Ozkan, S.K. Aganval. and G. Marcelin, eds.), Chapter 12, p 147.
1062
HYDROCARBON SPECIFICITY OVER CU/ZSM-5 AND CO/ZSM-5
CATALYSTS IN THE SCR OF NO
T. Beutel, B. Adelman, G.-D. Lei and W.M.H. Sachtler
V.N. Ipatieff Laboratory
Northwestern University
Evanston, IL 60208-3000
Keywords: CdZSM-5, Co/ZSM-5, NO, reduction, Adsorbed NO,, H-Abstraction
1. Introduction
A large variety of catalysts has been proven to be active in the selective catalytic
reduction of NO by hydrocarbons. Although 02,gaactss as a nonselective competitor for
the direct combustion of hydrocarbons, the addition of O2 enhances the rate of NO
reduction'. This enhancement has been attributed to the oxidation of NO which leads not
to NO,, gas but rather to adsorbed nitrogen oxide complexes (NO, groups).
Although the reactivity of these NO, groups has not been fully investigated, there are
literature data to suggest that the hydrocarbon must first be activated. Cant and
coworkers2 observed a first order isotope effect when CH, and CD, were used as
reductants. The authors concluded that H-abstraction was the rate limiting step for both
N2 and C02 formation. In general, the chemistry for the selective reduction of NO by
hydrocarbons may be comparable to the chemistry of a cold flame3. For these reactions,
H-abstraction is the first step in hydrocarbon activation. It is therefore plausible that the
NO, groups are the sites responsible for the H-abstraction reaction4.
The role of NO, groups on CdZSM-5 and Co/ZSM-5 has been investigated by FTIR
spectroscopy to determine their thermal stability and reactivity towards C3Hs and CH,.
The nature of the evolved gases has been analyzed in separate experiments by mass
spectroscopy.
2. Experimental
2.1. Catalyst preparation
CdZSM-5 and Co/ZSM-5 catalysts were prepared via ion exchange at room temperature
(r.t.) using a Cu(OAc), or CO(NO~s)o~lu tion with NdZSM-5 (UOP lot #13023-60).
Elemental analysis via inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy gave the following data:
CdAI = 0.56, SUA1 = 18, NdAl = 0.0; Co/A1= 0.48, SUA1 = 18, Na/A1=0.34.
Prior to IR or MS experiments the samples were calcined for 2 hrs at 500°C in an UHP
0 2 flow.
2.2. FTIR spectroscopy
Spectra were collected on a Nicolet 60SX FTIR spectrometer equipped with a liquid N2
cooled detector. The samples were pressed into self-supporting wafers and mounted into
a Pyrex glass cell sealed with NaCl windows. Spectra were taken at r.t. accumulating 50
scans at a spectral resolution of lcm-'. The samples could be pretreated in situ in a gas
1063
flow at temperatures up to 500°C in a heating zone attached to the glass cell. After in situ
calcination in UHP 02, as described previously, the sample was purged at r.t. for 1 hr
with 25 ml min-l UHP He then saturated in a stream of NO (0.45%) and 0 2 (75%) with a
He balance. For the reduction studies the samples were heated to the reaction
temperatures at 6"/min in flowing C3H8 or CH4 (0.25% hydrocarbon in He) at a total flow
rate of 30 ml min-I. Before cooling to r.t. the sample was purged for 10 min with He.
Spectra were taken at r.t.
2.2. IMS analysis
For the analysis of released gases, 400 mg of sample were calcined ex situ to 500°C in
UHP O2 and then saturated with NO2 (OS%, balance He) at r.t. The reactor was
transferred to a glass, recirculating manifold equipped with a Dycor Quadrupole Gas
Analyzer. Prior to the reduction experiments the sample was heated in vacuo to 225°C
for CdZSM-5 and 150°C for Co/ZSM-5. A sample loop was then filled with a known
amount of hydrocarbon; evolved gases were allowed to recirculate over the sample. The
signal intensities were normalized by an Ar standard. A secondary loop to the manifold
was charged with 3 g of 5 wt.% Ni/Si02 pre-reduced at 400°C. This loop was sealed
from the reactor and manifold during the experiment and was used to remove CO from
the post-reaction analysis of the evolved gases.
3. Results
3.1. FTIR spectroscopy
Fig. 1A shows the FTIR spectra of CdZSM-5 after the exposure to NO + O2 at r.t. and
subsequent purge at 200°C in He. There are three distinct bands at 1628, 1594 and 1572
cm" which are attributed to Cu" bonded nitro and nitrate groups. These NO, groups are
stable in He at 200°C for over 14 hrs. However in C3H8 all band intensities decrease. A
plot of the band intensities, measured as peak heights and normalized by their initial
intensities, is presented in FiglA'. The rates of reaction of the three NO, groups are
different. One of the nitrate groups (1594 cm-I) reacts fast, whereas the other nitrate
group (1572 cm-') reacts sluggishly. The reactivity of the nitro group (1628 cm-l)
exhibits an induction period of 20 min after which it is consumed at a comparable rate to
the nitrate group at 1594 cm-l. In CH,, the CumNO, groups are not depleted at
temperatures below the thermal decomposition.
In the case of Co/ZSM-5 the main feature after NO + O2 saturation is shown in Fig 1B. It
consists of two broad bands at 1526 and 1310 cm-I. The former band is ascribed to a
Co2+*ON0 complex. The Co*NO, adsorption complex is less stable than the CueNO,.
Approximately 60% of the Co 0 NO, adsorbates are desorbed after thermal treatment at
150°C for 14 hrs. The reactivity of the remaining NO, groups with C3H8 at 150°C is
shown in Fig.lB'. The normalized intensities of the adsorption band at 1526 cm-' are
plotted in Fig .1B' for propane and methane. Unlike Cu*NO,, CoeNO, reacts with CH4.
3.2. MS spectroscopy
Fig.2 shows the evolution of N2 when CdZMS-5 or Co/ZSM-5 samples, pre-saturated
with NO2, are exposed to C3H8 or CH, at reaction temperatures of 225°C for CdZSM-5
1064
I
and of 150°C for Co/ZSM-5. When C3H8 is used as the reductant, N2 evolution from
CdZSM-5 is rapid but terminates after 30 min exposure to hydrocarbon. N2 evolution
from Co/ZSM-5 proceeds at a slower rate; an increase in N2 is still detected after 90 min
exposure to hydrocarbon. When CH, is used as the reductant no reaction occurs over
CdZSM-5, but over Co/ZSM-5 N2 evolution is detected. Co *NO, reaction with CH4 is
slower than Co NO, reaction with C3H8.
1 4. Discussion
I NO, complexes are formed on CdZSM-5 and Co/ZSM-5 after saturation with NO2. The
IR spectroscopic signature, thermal stability and chemical reactivity of Cu- and Cobonded
NO are found to be different. CdZSM-5 contains not only Cu2+ ions, but also
[CU-O-CU]~o' xocations and CuO oxides. Upon interaction with NO2 Cu2' ions form
nitro complexes while oxocations and oxide react to nitrate complexes. On the other
hand, Co/ZSM-5, which contains only Co2+ ions, can only form NO2 complexes. Unlike
Cu2+ NO2, these are most likely Co2+* ON0 nitrito complexes.
Although deNO, catalysis over both Co/ZSM-5 and CdZSM-5 may be initiated in the
same manner, H-abstraction, the two display a different hydrocarbon specificity;
CdZSM-5 requires C2+ olefins or C,+ paraffins, whereas Co/ZSM-5 is active with CH,
and higher hydrocarbons. The type of the NO, groups differs which may explain the
differences in hydrocarbon specificity .
Assuming that the activation of hydrocarbon occurs via an H-abstraction as stated by
others3,,, this reaction is affected by NO, groups. While exposure to C3Hs leads to N2
formation from both samples, only Co/ZSM-5 formed N2 upon CH, exposure. It appears
that H-abstraction from CH, is difficult with Cu*NO, but facile with Co*NO,. The
influence of the metal ion on the selectivity in NO reduction may be indirect by
furnishing different types of NO,,
The fate of the hydrocarbon radical is not yet clear. It has been proposed that a reactive
intermediate containing at least one carbon, nitrogen and oxygen atom is formed on the
catalyst surface which reacts further with NO to from N,. The role of NO,, and the
nature of the reactive intermediate are currently under investigation.
5. Acknowledgments
We would like to thank the following for grant in aid: V.N. Ipatieff Fund, Ford Motor
Corporation and Engelhard Corporation. T. Beutel thanks for a stipend from the Deutsche
Forschungsgemeinschaft.
M. Iwamoto, Proc. of the Meeting of Catalysis Technology for the Removal of Nitrogen
A.D. Cowan, R. Dumpelmann and N. W. Cant, J. Catal., 151 (1995) 356.
F. Witzel, G.A. Sill and W.K. Hall, J. Catal., 149 (1994) 229.
y. Li, T.L. Slager and J.N. Armor, J. Catal., 150 (1994) 388.
Monoxide, Tokyo, Japan (1 990) 17.
J
1065
1 .2
CdZSM-5-113 A' 1628
A I
B
15 94
I L
1526
I
A 13 10 I
Wavenumber. an-1
0 20 40 60 80 100
Time, min
1.2
€3' i
d
1 . 7 0.2
0 100 200
Time, min
Fig. : FTIR spectra of CdZSM-5 (A) and Co/ZSM-5 (B) after calcination, exposure to
NO + O2 at r.t. and He purge at 200°C (A) and 150 "C (B). Graph A', the relative
intensities of NO, bands at 1628 cm-' (a), 1594 cm" (b) and 1572 cm-' (c) in 0.25 %
propane at 200 "C vs. time. Graph B'. the relative intensities of NO, band at 1526 cm-' in
0.25 YO methane (d) and 0.25 % propane (e) at 150 "C vs. time.
1066
0.9
A 0.8 - 0.7
zcn 0.6
3 0.5
2E 0.4
Q, 0.3
u) 0.2
-2 m
C
CI , u
Q tn
u) : 0.1
a
0
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500
Time in seconds
Fig.2: N2 evolution from Co/ZSM-5 at 15OOC (b, c) and CdZSM-5 at 225°C (a, d) upon
interaction with CH, (c. d) and with propane (a, b) vs. time. Samples have been calcined,
saturated with NO2 at r. t. and outgassed at the respective reaction temperature prior to
reaction.
1067
DEACTIVATION OF PT-ZSM-5 FOR SELECTIVE REDUCTION OF No
K. C. C. Kharas', H. J. Robota', D.4. Liub, and A. K. Datyec
'AlliedSignal Environmental Catalysts,
P.O. Box 580970, Tulsa, OK 741585-0970, USA
bAlliedSignal Research and Technology,
50 E. Algonquin Road, Des Plaines, IL, 60017-5016, USA
Qepartment of Chemical and Nuclear Engineering, The University of New Mexico,
Albuquerque, NM, 87131-1341, USA
Keywords: NOx reduction, Pt catalysts, catalyst deactivation
INTRODUCTION
Recent reports suggest the use of Pt-ZSM-5 with hydrocarbons to reduce NO selectively under
oxidizing conditions (1,2) and our laboratories, among others (3.4) are investigating the use of Ptzeolites
to reduce NOx in the emission of Diesel or gasoline lean-bum vehicles. Here we consider
the activity ofPt-ZSM-5, both as a fresh catalyst and der deactivation, and characterize a troubling
aspect of catalyst deactivation. In severely deactivated materials, TEM reveals a film to have formed
over Pt metal; we suggest this film is siliceous material derived from the zeolite and that an important
mode of catalyst deactivation is due to geometric site blockage by this film.
EXPERWENTAL
R-ZSMJ catalysts, containing 0.50 wt%, 1.31 wt%, 2.52 wt%, 4.4 wi%, and 4.67 W?? F't, were
prepared using H-ZSM-5 supplied by PQ Corporation containing a SdAl ratio of 30.5, tested using
two test gases, and aged in the model gas mixture for one to filly hours at 700 "C or 800 "C. One
gas mixture included 700 ppmv NO, 3300 ppmv propene, 1000 ppmv CO, 330 ppmv H2, 7.5% 02,
20 ppmv S a , 10% H20, 10% COZ. The other gas mixture was similar, consisting of 700 ppmv
NO, 700 ppmv propene, 300 ppmv CO, no Hz, 20 ppmv SOz, 7.5% 0,1oo/O C a , and 10% HzO.
The automated gas delivery and data acquisition system used chemiluminescent NOx, NDIR CO
and N20. FID hydrocarbon, and paramagnetic 0 2 detecton to monitor catalyst activity. Catalyst
performance is conventionally reported by % converted except for N20 formation by NO reductio&
which is more informative to express as % NO reduced to N20. One gram of 20-40 mesh granules
were typically tested with GHSV of 110,000 hi'. Inclusion or omission of 20 ppm S a did not
dect performance. EXAFS and XANES were obtained using an in sihr reactor described
elsewhere (5) at Beamline X-18B of the National Synchrotron Light Source at Brookhaven National
Laboratory. X-ray diffraction intensity data was obtained by standard procedures. TEh4 images
were obtained using a JEOL 4000EX microscope with 1.8 A resolution.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Pt-ZSM-5 deactivates rapidly. We examined the catalyst with highest initial performance most
extensively. Catalysts were subjected to catalysis at 700 "C and 800 "C using either synthetic gas
blend for up to 50 hr with temperature ramps interspered to allow the monitoring of dactivation.
Figure 1 shows NO reduction performance under three conditions. Curves labeled 700°C and 800°C
show performance after aging the catalyst at those temperatures in the gas blend that included 3300
ppmv propene while the cuwe labeled 700 ppmv involved aging the catalyst at 700°C using 700
ppmv propene. When fresh or mildly aged, the catalyst reduces NO over a greater temperature
range when 700 ppmv propene are present compared with 3300 ppmv. When 3300 ppmv propene
is present, an exotherm of over 200°C occurs after propene lightof. The magnitude ofthis exotherm
is su5cient to close the temperature window when hydrocarbon levels are high (6). Figures 1 and 2
show deactivation is more rapid at 800°C than at 700 "C. Deactivation proceeds more quickly when
3300 ppmv is used in the synthetic gas compared with 700 ppmv propene. For aging times greater
than 20 hr, essentially no NO was reduced when 3300 ppmv propene was used.
Figure 2 shows deactivation for propene oxidation for experiments utilizing 3300 ppmv propene.
Progressive deactivation occurs for both aging temperatures. The higher temperature aging is
clearly much more severe. For example, thirty hr aging at 800 "C is more severe than 50 hr aging at
700 "C. Deactivation is most rapid initially. Judging on the basis of Tm increases, Figure 2
,
1068
t
8 8OO0C 0 x ° C - ~O_Opp_m_v
Inlet Temperature. "C
100 200 300 400 M O 600 100 200 300 400 500 600
l l o l I , I I ,
t 9 0 I
so
10
-in
-100 200 360 400 500 600 100 200 300 400 500 600
Inlet Temperature. O C
Figure 1. NO reduction, measured as conversion ofNOx, deteriorates as aging proceeds.
Higher temperature or higher propene concentrations accelerate deactivation.
mesh 0 20 hr 50hr- . L O h r -
1-A -3ohr_ ...
x 40 hr
Inlet Temperature, OC
100 200 300 400 500 600
110
90
70
50
30
10
-10 I
110
90
70
50
30
10
-10
100 200 300 400 200 600
Inlet Temperature, C
Figure 2. HC conversion progressively deactivates; 800 "C aging is much worse than 700 "C
aping. Tests used 3300 ppmv propene.
1069
shows performance losses during the first hour to be comparable to the next nine. The rate of HC
deactivation slows to a nearly constant amount during the 700 "C aging. During 700 "C aging, the
first 20 hr and the next 30 hr of aging resulted in Ts increases of about 100 "C for propene
oxidation. At first glance, rates of HC deactivation do not appear to decline during the more severe
800 "C aging, However, an anomalously large incremental deactivation may have occurred between
30 and 40 hr during the high temperature aging. Comparable incremental deactivations occur
between 10 and 20 hr, 20 and 30 hr, and 40 and 50 hr. These incremental deactivations at 800 "C
are considerably larger than those observed at 700 "C. consistent with more severe, progressive
deactivation at the higher temperature.
We now proceed to physical characterization to gain insight into deactivation prior to returning to
the catalytic results.
TEM examination of 6esh 4.7 wt% Pt-ZSM-5 reveals "stringy" regions, sometimes over 100 A in
length, of Pt. EXAFS and XANES analysis shows the Pt in 6esh 4.7 wt% F't-ZSM-5 to be
oxidized. Metallic Pt is not detected by X-ray diffraction in the fresh material but is detected by
XRD, EXAFS, and XANES after aging.
TEM analysis of catalysts aged at 800 "C for 1 hr or 50 hr also reveals Pt metal. After 1 hr, 800°C
catalysis, faceted Pt particles occur, although many smaller Pt particles have poorly defined surfaces.
Some particles are as large as 500 A in diameter while particles about 100 A appear most common.
For example, one sector of a typical TEM micrograph contained 23 particles with a median diameter
of 120 & mean diameter of 180 4 with a range of diameters of 70 - 535 k Catalysts aged for 50
hr do not appear to be substantially more highly sintered. For example, one sector of a typical TEM
micrograph of a sample aged for 50 hr contained 55 particles with a mean diameter of 100 4 a
median diameter of 70 4 with a range of sizes 60m 40 - 400 k While Pt Sintering may be the
cause of the initial, rapid deactivation, the data do not support the hypothesis that the progressive
deactivation we observe is due to continued sintering of Pt. While observable particles do not
appear to be increasing in size, the TEM results do not exclude the pos
particles are increasing in mass. Small, unobservable, catalytically relevant Pt particles could persist
as the aging proceeds, and their gradual loss may not cause noticeable increases in observable Pt
particle sizes. Nevertheless, their gradual loss may be a cause of progressive deactivation if these
postulated, unobservable entities are indeed catalytically relevant. CO dispersion measurements fail
to provide evidence for the existance of the postulated small particles; CO isotherms of the aged
materials are consistent with large particles whose surfaces, to a substantial degree, are inaccessible
to the probe molecule.
Faceted Pt particles observed after 50 hr, 800°C catalysis frequently exhibit features consistent with a
superficial film on their surfaces while these features are absent in the 1 hr samples. We suggest this
film is due to silica or silica-alumina derived from the zeolite itself. This suggestion will be buttressed
by a catalytic experiment discussed below. A surrendipitous E M experiment performed on a Pt
particle on the edge of a zeolite particle in a fresh sample provide corroborating evidence. This
initially featureless Pt particle was is situated over a hole in the holey carbon TEM grid and, once
noticed. was subjected to close-up examination using a more focused beam. Figure 3a and b show
this particle as initially observed @ut the image is enlarged photographically) and during high
magnification E M im aging (without photographic enlargement). Fringes consistent with (1 11) Pt
domains are observed in Figure 3b while fringes due to crystalline zeolite (not observable in the small
regions shown) vanish during focused beam exposure. A film of zeolite can be observed in the
"northern" region of Pt in Figure 3b. The focused electron beam probably caused local heating that
drove that region of the sample toward equilibrium: thermal reduction of oxidized Pt to Pt metal
proceeded together with local amorphization ofthe zeolite. The zeolitic material spreading onto the
Pt surface suggests that, as the catalyst approaches equilibrium at high temperature, siliceous films
derived 60m the zeolite may cover otherwise active Pt metal. Films in severely deactivated materials
manifest themselves as a white line, followed by a dark lie, then followed by another white line at
the edge of a Pt particle. Each solid-vacuum interface, under conditions of slight underfocus, should
result in one white line. Pairs of parallel white lines are strong evidence of film formation. Such
pairs of white lines are common at the Pt/vacuwn surfaces in samples aged 50 hr at 800°C (for
example, Fig. 3d) but only a single white lines are observed after 1 hr, 800°C aging (for example, Fig.
3c). Powell and Whittington used SEM to demonstrate Pt encapsulation by silica at temperatures of
1070
50 nm
Fig 3. (a) and @) Pt particle and nearby zeolite in the fresh catalyst prior to (a) and after @) beam
damage. (c) F’t metal crystallite observed in sample aged 1 hr. (d) Pt metal crystallite, covered by
superficial film, observed in sample aged SO hr.
702°C-11020C (7,8). Theu model describing driving forces toward encapsulation appears to
account for some of the phenomena we observe. Their model predicts encapsulated Pt particles will
not tend to increase in size, as is observed here. Progressive catalytic deactivation should
accompany progressive encapsulation. Figure 2 shows an increasing AT between the onset of
propene conversion and the attainment of 25% conversion as deactivation p r d s . This steady
increase in AT appears consistent with continually decreasing numbers of sites, just as an
encapsulation model would predict. Successll development of durable Pt-moleah sieve catalysts
requires additional understanding of this mode of deactivation that leads to effeaive
countermeasures.
An alternate explanation ofthe films observed in the TEM invokes carbonaceous deposits formed by
gradual coking of the catalyst. oxidizing treatment might be expected to remove any such materid.
We aged the catalyst 50 hr in the gas blend containing only. 700 ppmv propene. The rate of
deactivation did decline, but since less propene is oxidized, temperatures at and near pt might be c 1071
considerably lower than in experiments utilizing 3300 ppmv propene. After the @I& the
was treated in 15.00A 02/85.0% N2 for one hour at 550°C. Ifthe films were due to coking ofF't, this
treatment should result in at least partial combustion of this film, and a concomittant increase. in
available F't. A subsequent temperature ramp in the synthetic exhaust gas (700 ppmv propene) did
not result in an increase in NO reduction. This is consistent with films arising from the parent
zeolitic material, and not from the catalytic process. Efforts at further characterization of these
films, such as TEM halography, are ongoing.
CONCLUSIONS
Fresh Pt-ZSM-5 shows reproducibly high degrees of NOx reduction in a narrow temperaturr
window at very low temperatures. Initial performance is a function of Pt content: the more the
better. NO selectivity toward N20 is about 10%. Initially, Pt in the zeolite is oxidized but,
apparently, not crystalline. A fraction of the F't may occur as cations at exchange sites but relatively
large (100 A) F't-containing particles occur. After one hour of lean-bum catalysis, the F't is
unambiguously metallic. The EM-observable fraction ofPt may increase after reduction. F't-ZSM-
5 is not durable. After about 30 hr catalysis at AFR 22 and 800°C. no NOx reduction pafonnance
remains. NOx reduction is barely detectable &. 2% ma.) after 40 hr catalytic aging at AFR 22
and 700 "C. Pt sinters; faceted 40-700 A particles can be observed by EM after 50 hr at 800 "C.
al deactivation may be associated with moderate sintering of F't, the unusual progressive
deactivation is accompanied by formation of films on the F't crystallites. We suggest these films are
siliceous material derived from the zeolite itself and that the progressive deactivation is due to simple
geometric site blockage.
Acknowledgements
High resolution E M was performed at the High Temperature Materials Laboratory (HTh4L.) at
Oak Ridge National Laboratory. AD acknowledges receipt of a faculty fellowship at HTML during
which this TEM work was performed. Mike Reddig performed the CO chemisorption
measurements. Brad Hall provided painstaking photographic services.
References
1. H. Muraki, T. Inoue, K. Oishi and K. Katoh, European patent application number 91 120322.2,
November 27, 1991.
2. K. Ishibashi, N. Matsumoto, K. Sekizawa and S. Kasahara, Japanese patent application, Kokai
Patent PublicationNo. 187244 - 1992, July 3, 1992.
3. B.H. Engler, J. Leyrer, E.S. Lox, K. Ostgathe, SAE 930735.
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Murayama, ADDI. Catal. B: Environmental, 5, (1994), Ll-L5.
5. D.-J. Liu and H.J. Robota, Catalvsis Letters, 21, (1993) 291-301.
6. K.C.C. Kharas, J.R. Theis, "Performance Demonstration of a Precious Metal Lean NOx Catalyst
inNativeDiesel Exhaust", SAE 950751, 1995.
7. A New Mechanism of Catalyst
Deactivation", J. Molec. Catal. 20 (1983) 297-298.
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D ea,ct.ivJation", 81 (1983) 382-393.
J
B.R Powell and S.E. Whittington, "Encapsulation:
B.R Powell and S.E. Whittington, "Encapsulation:
1012
LEAN NO, REDUCTION OVER Auly-Al,O,
M.C. Kung, J.-H. Lee, 1. Brooks and H.H. Kung
Center for Catalysis and Surface Science
Northwestern University, Evanston, 11. 60208.
Key words:Au/y-Al,O,, deposition-precipitation, lean NO, Reduction
Introduction
The 1990 Clean Air Act Amendment has set a schedule for compliance of new, more
saingent standards for automohiles over the next ten years. In the mean time, the strong push to
increase fuel economy of vehicles has led to the exploration of the use of lean-hum, gasoline
engines. Unlike conventional engines, these engines operate with a large excess of air. The
major ohstacle in the development of such engines is the lack of a practical exhaust catalyst for
the reduction of NO, emission, since the current three-way catalysts are ineffective for NO,
removal in the oxidizing atmosphere (i.e. under lean conditions) of the exhaust of such engines.
I
The discovery of Iwamoto (1) and Held (2) et al., showing that CU-ZSM-S catalyzes the
selective reduction of NO by hydrwarhons in an oxidizing atmosphere, promoted extensive
research in this area. Although this catalyst is active and selective, it has hydrothermal stahility
prohlems, due to the degradation of the zeolite framework (3). Since zeolites are metastahle
structures, the prohlem of hydrothermal stahility may he circumvented hy the use of metal or
metal oxide supported on thermally stahle, large surface area oxides, such as y-Al,O,. The use
of hase metals such a copper are not suitahle hecause they form compounds with alumina at high
temperatures. Extensive work on the supported Pt group metal catalysts (4.5) suggests that,
although thew catalys~$m ay he potential practical catalysts for diesel engines, their optimum range
of operation temperatures(200-300 "C) is tcw low for the lean-hum engines
A briefreport hy Haruta et al. (6), showing that a 1 wt. % Au/y-Al,O, catalyst, prepared
hy the precipitation-deposition method, has an NO conversion of 40% in the presence of 1.8%
H,O and 5 % 0, at 300°C. suggests that Au could he a potential component of a practical lean
NOx catalyst. Furthermore, it has heen demonstrated hy Haruta et al. (7) and Parravano et al. (8)
that the Au particle size is strongly dependent on the preparation method, and that the particle size
of the Au catalyst has significant influence on h)th the catalytic and chemical properties of Au.
Thus, an invtstigation of Ady-Al,O, (the dependence of its caplytic properties on the preparative
methods and its hydrothermal stahility) as potential lean NO, catalysts may he fruithl.
Experimental Procedures . y-Al,O, support was prepared hy hydrolyzing aluminum isopropoxide (99.99+ % Aldrich)
dissolved in 2-methylpentane-2.4-diol (99+% Aldrich) using the methcwl of Masuda et a1.(9) .
It was dried in air at 100°C and calcined in flowing dry air to 460°C, and then in 2.4% H,O to
700°C at a ramping speed of I"C/min. Then the y-Al,O, was sintered in 7% H,O for an
additional 2 hrs at 700" C. The average surface area of such preparations ranged from 215-240
mY/g.
Ctrprecipitated Ady-AI#, was prepared from a solution of HAuCI, (99.999% Aldrich)
and AI(NO& (99.997% Aldrich) using 1 M Na,CO, as the precipitating agent (IO). The catalyst
was suction filtered, washed and calcined at 350°C for 4 hrs.
Deposition-precipitation of Au/y-Al,O, was conducted in a manner similar to that of
Haruta et al. (10). This involved the reaction of Au with the support in the presence of Mg
citrate. 50 mL of 5.32 mM solution of HAuCI, was mixed with 2.5 g of y-AI,O, powder. The
initial pH on mixing y-Al,O, and HAuCI, was 4.01 and the pH 4.4 sample was prepared without
adjusting the pH (the value 4.4 heing that recorded ,ius1 hefore the addition of Mg citrate). For
the r s t of the samples, the solution was adjusted to the desired pH with Na,CO, or HNO,. After
1073
the desired pH was achieved, the solution was stirred for half an hour hefore the addition of Mg
citrate. The molar ratio of Mg/Au wa. 2.5. The reaction was allowed to proceed in the dark with
continuous sZning for 2 h after the addition of y-Al,03 to the Au solution. Then the suspension
was suction filtered, redispersed in room temperature douhly distilled H,O, stirred hrietly and
suction filtered. This washing procedure was repeated two more times with cold H,O and once
with hot H,O (ahout 80°C). The filtered paste was placed in a 100°C drying oven for ahout 2 h,
gently crushed and placed in a 350°C oven for 4 hrs., and finally activated in a reaction mixture
of NO, C,H, and 0, at 450°C. The last procedure was used hecause sometimes activity
increases were observed with time on stream at high temperatures.
The lean NO, reaction was conducted in a feed of loo0 ppm NO, IO00 ppm C,H,, 4.8%
0, and 1.6% H,O with the halance He. The weight of the catalyst was 0.5 g and the total flow
rate was 104 cc/min. The catalysa were evaluated with respect to three parameters:the maximum
NO conversion, the temperature of maximum NO conversion and the NO competitiveness factor
at the maximum NO conversion. The NO competitiveness factor is a measure of the efficiency
of the catalyst to use NO instead of oxygen in the oxidation of propene and is defined as
N0,,,,d*100/(9*C,H6 where 9 is the numher of oxygen at6ms needed to convert C,H6
completely to CO, and H,O.
The Au and AI contents were determined hy ICP. It has been reported ( I I ) that the
dissolution of Au required a solution containing a good ligand for Au as well as an oxidizing
agent. Thus HCI .was added to provide the chloride ligand. and HNO, was added as the oxidizing
agent. However, y-Al,O, would only dissolve with the further addition of concentrated HF.
Thus all three acids were needed.
The CI- concentration was determined using Quantah titrators (Fisher Scientific). The
accurdcy of the titrators were verified using different concentrations of NaCl solutions.
Results and Discussion
The deposition-precipitaticm method is a multistep process. it involves (a) hydrolysis of
AuCIi anion to a mixture of IAuCl,OHr, IAuCl,(OH),- and IAuCI(OH),I-. (h) ?dsorption of the
negatively charged IAu CI,OH,J- species onto the positively charged sites on the oxide surface,
and subsequent formation of AI-0-AU hond hy the condensation ofthe OH groups on the y-Al,O,
and OH ligand ofthe Au complex, (c) polymerization of the surface Au complex through further
reaction of the OH groups of the adsomed Au complex with other Au .species in solution, and (d)
addition of Mg citrate lo physically hltrk the adsorhed Au polymeric clusters from coagulating.
Each of these steps could affect the final Au particle size through their influence on the relative
rates of condensation and plymerization. Of all the preparation variables, the pH of the solution
appears to he of primary importance as it controls hoth the number of adsorption sites on the y-
AI@,, and the distrihution of the various Au complexes in solution.
The iselectric point (IEPS) of y-AI#, ranged from 6.5 to 9.4 (121. As the pH of the
sdution deviates from the IEPS towards the more acidic regime, the positive charge density on
the alumina surface increases. This translates to more condensation sites for the anionic Au
complexes, and thus higher uptake of Au.
The nature of IAuCI,,OH]' in solution as a function of pH was determined by measuring
the CI- concentration in solution. Surprisingly, the hydrolysis of the AuCI,' complex was very
rapid in the range of pH 4-8, resulting in an average replacement of 2.6 CI' ligands hy OH
ligands per Au complex within half an hour of reaction. Longer reaction time did not increase
the CI' concentration in solution. Thus it appears that the effect of pH is primarily in the
determination of the numher of condensation sites for Au on y-A1,Os. Since the lower pH
preparations have more nucleation sites, it is possible that the average Au particle sizes are smaller
on such preparations.
1074
G
Au loading. wt.%
Temp. "C
at max NO conv.
Tahle 1 shows the % Au dep)sited on y-Al,O, as a function of the pH of preparation
Solution (if all of the Au in solution was deposited onto the y-Al,O,. a Au hading of 2.5% was
expected). The pH 4.4 sample (one with no adjustment of pH) had the highest Au loading and
the Au loading decreased with increasing pH. This is in accordance with the fact that the density
of positively charged sites on the support surface decreases with increasing pH. The pH 4.0
sample. for which the pH was maintained hy continuous addition of HN03, had a lower Au
loading. possihly hecause of the competitive adsorption of the anionic NO; ions and the
dissolution of alumina.
1.3 I .8 1.7 I .4 1 .o
385 385 365 365 365
Tahle I: Effect of pH during Au Precipitation on NO Reduction Activity
NO competitiveness
factor. %
DH I 4.0 ' I 4.4 I 5.5 I 7.0 I 8.2 I
3.8 5. I 4.4 3.6 2.8
~~ I Max. NOconv. % I 33.3 I 42.4 I 45.1 I 33.5 I 28 I
The temperature of maximum NO conversion is Usually a reflection of how active a lean
NO, catalyst is. At this temperature, the hydrtkarhon conversion is close to or at loa%. The Au
samples with the highest Au loading (pH 4.4) had the highest temperature of maximum NO
conversion. Assuming that this sample also had the smdllest particle size, then the activity of the
catalyst is prOhdhly dependent on the particle size of Au. Interestingly. the NO competitiveness
factor of the various samples also decreased with increasing pH of the preparation solution. This
suggested that the effectiveness of the catalyst in the reduction of NO, might he related tu the
particle size of Au also.
These samples, prepared hy d~)sition-preparationm ethod, were compared with a sample
prepared hy co-precipitaticm. The Au content of the co-precipitated sample was 0.33%, although
it waq prepared with a solution which would result in a 2% Au loading if complete precipitation
chieved. This sample reduced NO exclusively to N,O; showing a 24% conversion
of NO to N,O and 70% conversion of C,H, at 375°C. Although the Au loading of this catalyst
is low, a 0.21 % Au sample prepared hy the deposition-precipition method converted NO
exclusively to N,. Thus, different preparation method resulted in catalysts with different lean
NOx hehavior. Besides the possihle structural difference that may contrihute to this difference in
catalytic hehavior, the presence of Na+ may also he a factor. The co-precipitated catalysts has
suhstantially more Na' left over left in the sample after washing.
An essential properly of a practical lean NO, catalyst is high hydrothermal stahility. The
stahility of a I g sample ofa 1 .O% Ady-Al,O,, prepared by the deposition-precipitation method
way tested in a lean NO, reaction mixture with I .5% H,O for 22 h hetween 400 and 5OO0C, and
then at 500°C for 7 more hours with the water in the feed increased to 6%. No deactivation was
observed. However, in a more stringent test using only 0.5 g of the 1 % Au sample and 9% water
in the feed, a 19% decrease in activity was ohserved after 8 h of reaction at 500°C. and another
20% decrease after another 8 h.
Conclusions
The activity and selectivity of supported Au catalysts varies with the pH of the solution during
preparation in the deposition-precipitation method. These catalysts are superior to that prepared
hy the co-precipitation method. The Auly-AI,OS catalysts showed unexpectedly high stahility
1015
under reaction conditions at high temperatures and high water concentrations. Thus, Au supported
on y-Al,O, has the potential of king an important component of a practical lean NOx catalyst.
Acknowledgement
This work was supported hy the U.S. Department of Energy, Basic Energy Sciences, and General
Motors Corporation.
References
(I) M. Iwamolo and H. Hamada, Catal. Today, IO, 57 (1991).
(2) W. Held, A. Konig, T. Richter and L. Ruppe,.SAE Paper No. 900496 (1990).
(3)G.A. Grinsted, H.-W. Jen, C.N. Monbeuil, M. J. Roskosz, and M. Shelef. Zeolites. 13, 602
(1993).
(4) R. Burch, P.J. Millington and A.P. Walker. Appl. Catal. B, 4. (1994) 65.
(5) A. Ohuchi, A. Ohi, M. Nakamurd, A. Ogata, K. Mizuno and H. Ohuchi, Appl. Catal.,,
(1993)71.,
(6) S. Tsuhota, A. Ueda, H. Sakurai, T. Kohayashi and M. Haruta, ACS Symposium &)ok
Series, No. 552 (Ed. J. Armor) Chapter 34 (1994).
(7) M. Haruta, N. Yamada, T. Kohayashi and S. Iijima, J. Catal., 115, 301 (1989).(11)M.
(8) S. Galvagno and G. Parravano. J. Catal. 55, 178 (1978).
(9)K. Meda, P. Mizukani, S.4. Niwa. M. Toha, M. Watanahe and K. Masuda, J. Chem. Soc.
Faraday Trans. , 88(1), 97-104.
(10)M. Haruta. S. Tsuhota, T. Kohayashi, H. Kageyma, M. Genet and B. Delmon. J. Catal.,
144, 175 (1993).
( 1 1)R.J. Puddephdtt, The Chemistry of Gold, Elsevier, Amsterdam (1978).
(12)G.A. Parks, Chem. Rev.. 65, 117 (1965).
1076
1
THE EFFECT OF FUEL SULFUR LEVEL
ON THE HC, CO AND NOX CONVERSION EFFICIENCIES OF
PDIRH, PT/RH, PD-ONLY AND TRI-METAL CATALYSTS
/ / / /I
D. M. DiCicco, A. A. Adamczyk and K. S. Patel
Chemical Engineering Department
Ford Research Laboratoly
KEY WORDS: CATALYSTS; SULFUR POISONING; SI ENGINE EVALUATION
INTRODUCTION: Due to additional requirements imposed by the 1990 amendments to the
Clean Air Act. automotive emissions systems niust perform at high efficiencies for 100,000 miles"'.
Howcvcr, fuels containing sulfur, can reduce the efficiency of inany modern catalyst formulations'*~".
Additionally. the Northeast Ozone Transport Commission (OTC) has petitioned the U.S. Eiivironmentill
Protcction Agency (EPA) to require region-wide adaptation of the California Low-Emission
Vcliiclc staiidards without tlie application of California's reformulated gasoline program'" which is
ncccssary to keep the level of fuel sulfur low. As will be seen, this will result in reduced catalyst
iiclivity in tlie OTC, siiicc typicill gasolines contain sulfur levels which vary considerably. Gasolines
cn~~liiiiiii5ig0p pinS and 5OOppmS only represent the IOth and 75Ih percentile o f US.c ommercial
hiiiiiiiiel' fuels'-'. As will be shown, tlicsc high levels of fuel sulfur will lower the performance of high
:~clivityc ;itnlyst Ibriiiulations and niay in;ike compliancc with LEVIULEV eiiiissions lcvcls exlreincly
difficult i f not inipossible without the adaptation of low-sulfur fuels.
ISI'ICRIMENTAL: Dynainometcr-based catalyst durability testing and evaluiitions were used
to ~lcterinineth e effects of fuel sulfur levels on HC, CO and NOx conversioii efficiencies of fully
for-iiiiil;~ceiIl' d-only, Tri-Metal (PI/Pd/Rh). PVRh and Pd/Rh catalysts. These four catalyst technologies
wcrc evaluated at two degrees of catalyst aging (4K and lO0K miles) using three fuel sulfur levels
(34. 266 mid 587 ppniS), For all testin0 ditertiarybutlydisulfide was used as the fuel-sulfur dopant.
Tcst procedures included a series of eqLEiibrium lightoff. transient lightoff and dynamic AiriFuel ratio
s ~ exp~criinpeiits. ' These experiments were designed to reflect the most common operating
conditions of a vehicle's emission system during typical driving. The lightoff experiments were
clcsigiied to niiiiiic the cold start process of the vehicle as the catalyst warms up. The dynamic A/F
~r:ilio cxpcriiiicnt was designed to mirror the conditions which occur during feedback control of the
eiiginc at cruise. The slightly rich pcrforinance of the emissions system which occurs during mild
tl.iiiisiciits ciiii hc ;isscssed froin the A/F ratio sweeps resented. The effects of fuel sulfur on all
cciii<~itinnisir c presented. TO expose t ~ i cca talysts to suPfur, jomin. of engine opcration using a fuel
with :I pr-esci-ihcd sulfur level at ;in AIF ratio of 15.3 and a catalyst inlet gas teniperature o f 4 W C
BREAK AGING AN0
OUT EVALUATION
8 BOX * * CONTROLLER 4.6L-ZV.VB '''1
rcn
ENGINE - 101.1 out
no-
"08..
*".".' TO EXHAUS
(111.1)
TO EXHAUS
To,-w..l B.*h..
TO EXHAUS
Figitre I: Sclreniatic of errgirie lest facility.
Ex )eriniental Hardware Exhaust eases from a 1993 Ford4.GL 2V engine were routed through
h h cxchaiiger into a lest catalyst b r i d (see figure I) for evaluation. The brick was located 2m
~I~~w~ist roefi itliiici exhaust manifold flange. The inlet gas temper;lture to the catalyst was regulated
by ;~d~ustintgh e load on the engine or by adjusting the amount o f water flow through the heat
cxcli;iiigcr. Correspondingly. the flow rate to the test catalyst was controlled by adjusting either the
c~iminc load or by diverting a fraction of the exhaust flow through a second flow path in parallel with
ili:c:itiilyst sample. The amount of diverted exliaust was measured by a laminar flow element (see
1:igtu;c I; LFE) in tlic secoiidary stream. To allow for transient lightoff experimcnts on each catalyst
mpid switching valve was placed in the exhaust streani to initially divert the exhaust flow around
tllc test catalyst so the initial state of the catalyst could be set to ambient conditions. Continuous gas
s;~~nples(o ne pre- and one oit catdlyst) were withdrawn into two Horiba emissions benches and
:I~~:~Iyzecdiic li second for C8,';;taI ;ICs and NOx. A UEGO sensor and Air/Fuel Ratio Controller
Iproviclcd tlic necessary hardware to control tlic engine AIF ratio in a prescribed way.
DC DYNAMOMETER
C;ltalgst forniulatioiis, description and acin Eight catalyst bricks of four different
~ol-~nulatiow~eisre evaluated. One Iormulation'was PI/Pd/Rh ( l / l4/ l ) ; one was Pd-only (0/l/0); one
as PVRh (S/O/I); and the other was PdlRh (0/9/l). Their respective precious metal loadings were
IOS, I 10: 60 and 4OgFt3. They were all fully formulated containing stabilizers, scavengers and base
llietiil oxldes. The Tri-inetal and the Pd-only catalysts were of a two-layer washcoat design. In each
layer, Ihe particle sizes were optimized to promote higher catalyst efficlency when sulfur is added to
llic feedgas. They all contained 400 cell/iii' and a cell wall thickness of 0.068in. They were all of
c 1077
I
' .(b). . # ,
. I . . .
0 - , , , , , , , ,
. . . , . .
I
Figure 2: a) Sweep tesf; b) Irassierrl lightnjf
lest; c) eqiiilihrirrnt Iiglrloff test. Pd-only 4K.
the same dimension (3.15"x4.75"~6.O0) and
total volume (76in'). Preceding experimentation.
four catalysts were dynamometer aged to
the equivalent of 4K miles and four to IOOK
miles of vehicle use. During this procedure, a
commercial unleaded gasoline which contained
16OppmS was used.
Am Sweep Test Description The A/F
sweep test was conducted by operating the
engine at a steady state air-flow of 3U.3ds
wGle ramping the h c l flow rate from a lean-to
rich A/F ratio. This ramp consisted of the
superposition of linear and sinusoidal components.
The linear component ranged from c1.0
to -I.OA/F ratios about stoichiometry and occurred
over 360s. The sinusoidal component had
an aniplitude of 0.5 A/F; its frcquciicy was I
Hz. It was used lo evoke all active kinetics
over the catalyst including tlie 0, storage inechanisiii.
For all experiments, the AIF ratio
sweep started at an A/F ratio of 15.2 (A/F,,,,=
14.2 for California Reforinulated Fuel) and
proceeded to an A/F ratio of 13.2. The inlet gas
temperature at the catalyst was 450k5"C and the
space velocity (at STP) into the 76in' catalytic
iiionolilh was 85,000 Hi'. Figure 2a shows a
typicd rcsult of a sweep test. The abscissa
represents AAIF ratio (i.c., AIF,, ,,,,,I -A/F,,,,,,,).
The ordinate shows the CO. HC and NOx
conversion efliciencics, the CO-NOx crossover
efficiency, aiid the A/F ratio operational wiiidow.
Values are also marked at a slightly rich
A/F ratio. since these values are used later to
show the effects of sulfur level on fuel-rich
catalyst perforniaiice. These results are critical
in determining the "best" catalyst performance
for a vehicle operating under warmed up conditions
and mild accelerations.
Equilibrium Light-Off Test Description The
equilibrium light-off test was performed to
assess how the-low-temperature chemistry over
the catalyst evolves without the complications
associated with transient substrate warmup. It
was ponducted by "slowly" (12.3"CImin) in;
creasing the inlet gas temperature to the catalyst,
tliiis allowing thc datalyst substrate to
the~mally cquilibrate during expcrinientation. This was accoin lished by passing tlic engine exhaust
tlirough ii water controlled heat exchanger, which regulated tfe temperature of gases entering tlie
catalyst. As above, the engine was operated at steady state; its air flow rate was 30.3gIs; and its mean
A/F ratio was 14.2. About tliis mean A/F ratio, the IHz, i3.5 A/F ratio modulation was applied.
During the experiment two gas samples were withdrawn continuously and analyzed every second for
CO, total I-ICs and NOx: Corresponding catalyst conversion efliciencics (([I -[I )/[I x 100%)
were determined as a function of inlct gas temperature into the catalyst. Figiie y%ho;! :I typical
catalyst equilibrium light-off trace for tlie 4K Pd-only catalyst. Clcarly marked are the temperatures
coirespoiiding to 50% conversion of CO, I-IC and NOx. These values are used latcr lo :mess the
carly liglitoff potential of catalyst formulations aiid the effects of sulfur poisoning on catalyst lightoff.
Transient Lirht-Off Test Description To assess how a combination of substrate thermal
inertia and the low-temperature catalyst chemistry affects the lightoff performance of the catalyst. the
Transient Light-Off Test was conducted after cooling the catalyst brick to 3 8 9 C to define the initial
sl:ile of the catalyst. These conditions are typical of those which occur during the cold start of a
vehicle. Here, the engine was operated at the same conditions used for tlie equilibrium lightoff
experiments. Initially, gases from the engine by-passed-the catalyst through a diverter valve while the
engiiie was stabiliied for the experiment. At the start of the transient lightoff experiment, the engine
exliaust gas flow was suddenly switched into the flow pith which contained the cold catalyst brick.
Two gas samples were withdrawn continuously and analyzed every second for CO. total HCs and
NO!, :!!id the corresponding conversioii efficiencies were determined as a function of tinie from the
hcgiiiiliiig of the warmup period of the catalyst. Figure 2c shows a typical transient light-off trace
iis conversion efficiency versus lime, :ind marks the time necessary to attain 50% conversioii of the
iiilct CO,,,HC iiiid NOx. Prior to this time, mostly raw emissions pass the catalyst into the atmos here
and t l i i s lightoff" lime must be !:iiiii!nizedleliininat~t~o attain LE\.' or ULEV ernissions levers.
RFSULTS and DISCUSSION: Typical vehicle operation includes cold start activation, warmed-up
stoichiometric cruise, and sliyhtly-rich accelerations with a11 modes present in the FTP-75@)d riving
schedule used to assess vehic e emissions performance. Over this cycle, a vehicle typically produces
;in eiigiiie-out emissions level of I-3gImi THC, IO-12gImi CO. and 1.5-3.Og/mi NOx. These
eiiiissions are then converted at hi41 efficiency over the catalyst system to more ertvironinentally
acceptable chemical species. 6 attain IOOK ULEV emissions levels (0.055/2.1/0.3g/ml;
1078
I
100
- - - - \ \
. \ ,' ,
: 70. , , ; '\\.'.*.;:--.-;:. . : . . . . . ~
0 - - '- - - .\ , . >. - - _: . . . ----:--+
. . x,: : .. - _ .. . -x
0 100 200 300 400 500 60t
Fuel Sullur Level (ppmS)
60
Fuel Sulfur Level (pprnS)
* PdlRh (4K) + PtlRn (4K) + c=d-onmy ( 4 ~ ) - mi-metal ( 4 ~ )
Y- PalRn (-00%) + PtlRh (1OOK) jY. PCI-only (-0OK) -b Trl-metal (100K)
FiKrrre 3: n) CO nrrd NOx conversiori eSJiieiicy nt the A/F ratio corrcsporrdiirg /o COINOX
crossover ~ I W ; , I ~sw eep /csfirrg; b) HC conversion efficie;icy o/ CO/NOs crossover. Solid
ciirves rcpreseiit 4K ngcd cnfolysls; doshed ciirves IOOK cafn[y~t~.
I-ICICOINOx), avern~ee mission system efficiencies of greater than 97%, 8 I% and 86% are necessary.
However. these averages assunie that tlie emissions system is operational and functioning at high
efliciency from key-on of the vehicle. Generally, the vehicle and emissions system start cold and the
c;it;rlyst requircs time to warin to its lightoff temperature, hence passing unconverted emissions to the
;itiiiospheic. Since CO and HC emissions are abundant during cold start, the average CO and HC
efficiencies over the remainder of tlie drive cycle must be significantly hi ,her than the averages
specified above. As seen in figure 3, when sulfur level is low, these high ekficiencics are obtained
fnr Pd-oiily and Tri-metal catiilysts and would also be obtained for WRh and PdlRh with more
c:it;ilyst voluiiie iii the emissions system. However, at higher levels of fuel sullur and at IOOK aging.
iill efficiencies drop well below the levels needed to attain LEV aiid ULEV. As seen later. catalyst
lightoff is also negatively inipactetl by fuel sulfur, thus further exacerbating the problem.
Wariiictl Ut, Catalyst Operation. Figure 3 presents the catalyst efficiencies ilt the A/F ratio
corresponding to the COINOx crossover point (see Fig 2) and figure 4 shows them at an A/F ratio
of 14.0. These NF ratios are chosen since they reflect many of tlie typical opcrating points of a
w;iriiied up vehicle that occur during cruise and mild accelciatioiis. Since three way catalysts must
siiiiult;ineoiisly convert HC. CO and NOx at high efficiency, the COlNOx cross over point is normally
nciir the AIF ratio corresponding lo optimum catalyst operation. As seen i n figure .la, the COINOX
efficieiicics of all catalyst formulations are greater than 96% efficient at low sulfur levels and at low
niilmge. tvlorcover, when aged to the equivalent of IOOK miles, these formulations have conversion
cflicicncics in excess of 92% when low sulfur levels are present in the fuel. Here, the efficiencies
of ilie Tri-metal and tlie Pd-only are in excess of 96.5% after IOOK aging, :ind the efficiencies of the
PtfRIi and the PdlRli formulations are 91% and 92%. respectively. However, for IOOK aged catalysts,
wlieii sulfur is added to the fuel during evaluation, the COlNOx efficiencies of these catalysts drop.
For the Tri-nictal (thc most resistmt to sulfur poisoning due to its multi-layer structure and advanced
st;ibili7.crs), tlie efficiency falls from 98% to 86% when the fuel sulfur level goes froin 34 to 587
ppiiiS; Ptl-only from 96% to 69%; PURh from 92% to 65%; and the PdRh from 92% to 65%. At
4K. the ordering of sensitivity to sulfur poisoning is similar to the above at IOOK aging with tlie
itmount of lost pel-formancc being less. In terms of the change in emissions throughput (( 1.0-
%Eff/l~)O]l,,wsI[ I .O-%Eff/IOO),, hS). the effect of changing fuel sulfur level from 34 to 587ppmS
w d d iiicrease the amount of C6 aiid NOx delivered to the atmosphere by approximately 4-9 times
thc i1iiinunt dclivcrcd when the fuel sulfur level is low. As seen for thc IUOK catalysts. much of this
lost perforiiiance occurs when the fuel sulfur level increased from 34 to 267ppmS with the catalysts
becoming less sensitive to the addition of sulfur above these levels.
The cffect of sulfur on HC conversion efficiencies is shown in figure 3b. Trends are similar to those
discussed above. However, since HC conversion efficiency must be extremely high to meet LEV or
ULEV emissions regulations, the level of efficiency loss due to the addition of sulfur to the fuel will
In;ike it extremely difficult or potentially impossible to reach these low emissions levels with the most
;Itlv;iiicetl catalyst forinulation developed lo date. As seen iii figure 3, near stoichiomctry tlie Pd-only
cstalyst raiiks first behid the Tri-metal in efficiency throughout the range of sulfur application. Even
tliough it is susceptible to sulfur'*'. its higher initial activity at low sulfur is retained throughout the
r;ingc of typical sulfur application when operated near stoichiometry. Its performance is higher than
t l i i i t of the PtfRh or PdlRh catalysts studied. As mentioned, this is in part due to its higher initial
;ictivity and in part due Io the combination of materials which comprise its washcoat to reduce its
sclisitivity lo sulfur. Here, the catalyst is of a multi-layer design containing an abundance of ceria
:llid I:ii!thana plus scavengers to inhibit the detrimental effects of sulfur. Furthermore, the particle
siziiig in ciicli Inycr has bcen optimized to enlinnce rcac:ion at high sulfur level.
Rcsi~ltso f catalyst perforinance at ai i average fuel-rich AIF ratio of 14.0 (0.2 rich of stoichiometry
i ~ i o~s(ci~lla ting at IHz) are shown in figure 4. Here, HC, CO and NOx efficiencies are presented for
4K slid IOOK aged catalysts as fuel sulfur level is increased from 34 lo 567 pmS As seen. the
l,crforln;ince of iill catalysts is substantially rcduced when sulrur is added to the Rei. As ail example,
\vIicIi the sulfur level is low. the NOx conversion efficiency for a l l catalyst formulations is greater
i11:111 95% for hoth 4K and IOOK aged catalysts. Here, the Tri-metal foriiiulatioii shows the least
1079
1 100, 1
-
=-
- w
0
Fuel Sullur Level (ppmS1
801 : I
I
O 100 200 300 400 500 60
CO' : - _- _. .....i.- -.-
0 100 200 300 400 500 60
Fuel Sulfur Level (ppmS)
20
0 100 200 300 400 500 60
Fuel Sullur Level IpPmS)
1:igirre 4: IIC, CO arid NOx efficiency versus
srrlJlrr level. Solid crimes iridicate 4K aged
cntnl~slr;d aslied curves iridicate IOOK
colnl~sts. Note: See fisrrrc 3 for legend.
sensitivity to sulfur having its NOx efficiency
drop from 98% to 95% for both 4K and IOOK
of aging. The order of NOx efficiency loss
under rich operating conditions among all
catalyst formulations goes from Tri-metal to
PURh. to Pd/Rh and to Pd-only. The Tri-metal
being the least sensitive and the Pd-only being
the most sensitive as sulfur is added to the fuel.
Gencrall , to meet LEV and ULEV emissions
levels, Ndx conversion efficiencies around 90%
are necessary at IOOK miles. As seeti in figure
4, when sulfur level is low, all advanced catalyst
formulations have an efficiency well above
this value. However, when sulfur is added, the
NOx conversion efficiency of both the PdRh
and the Pd-only drop below the levels tieeded to
attain LEV or ULEV emissions levels. Moreover,
with the possible addition of a high-speed,
high-acceleration driving cycle to the test procedures,
meeting the NOx standard with a high
sulfur level in the fuel becomes even more
difficult.
Catalyst Lialitoff Experiments. 111 :iddilion
to the emissions generated during continuous
operation, more than 80% of the CO and
HC emission occurs during cold start of the
vehicle before the catalyst becomes active. Any
increase in "lightoff' temperature or "lightoff'
time due to sulfur addition will present major
problems in meeting LEV and ULEV emissions
levels, since the exiting flux of HCs and CO are
high during this period. Lightoff temperature
corresponds to the temperature of the substrate
at which the conversion efficiency of CO, I4C
or NOx reaches 50%. Lightoff time refers to
the time during the transient test rocedure at
which tlie conversion efficiency oYC0. HC or
NOx reaches 50% conversion. Figure 5 shows
the cffect of added fuel sulfur on catalyst lightoff
temperatiire of CO for all formulations studied.
Lightoff temperature of IIC and NOx will
follow the same trends as of CO. since they are
strongly dependent on the heat generated by the
exotherin during CO lightoff. \
In figure 5, the lightoff temperature is plotted as
n functioti of sulfur level for each catalyst
formulation. The tri-metal and the Pd-only
catalysts have the lowest lightoff tempcraturcs
of all formulations at 4K and IOOK aging. At
low sulfur level, the lightoff temperature for the
Pd-only and tri-metal catalysts are about 35°F
lower than for the PURh and PdRh catalysts.
This is due to the excellent low temperature CO
and 14C kinetic properties of Pd. Since the triimetnl
catalyst has :I multi-layered washcoat, tlie Pd-containing laye; inthis structure promotes low
tcinper;iture lightoff. At higher sulfur levels, the lightoff temperature for the Pd-only and the tri-metal
forniulations continue to be lower than the PURh and the Pd/Rh catalysts due to their higher initial
activities and the incorporation of stabiliziers and scavengers into their formulations to resist sulfur
Ipoisoning. At IOOK :uid high sulfur levels, both the tri-metal and the Pd-only formulations have the
lowest lightoff temperature.
Upon reproducible vchicle cold s(art, a direct rclationship should exist between catalyst lightoff
temperature, lightoff time and cold start emissions, assuming the catalysts have identical substrate
llierninl inertia. and heat and iiiass transfer characteristics. Here, transient lightoff experiments were
coiiilucted to assess thc lightoff time of each formulation. at all sulfur levels and at 4K and IOOK.
Figure 6 shows the results of these transient lightoff experiments. The curve shows the relationship
betwceii lightoff time for our experimental geometry and catalyst lightoff temperature. I t should be
iotcd that the exact values of lightoff time are unique to these experimental conditions. Both mass
flow rille and inlet gas temperature profile ore critlcal to the absolute values of lightoff time. As
cxpcctcd, as tlie lightoff lciiiperaturc iiicreases. the liglitofl' time increases. Since all catalyst bricks
were of the same geometry, containing the same therm! incrtin and geometric surface area the only
inajor difference between formulations arises through their differences in critical lightoff temperature.
As scen, there is ii direct linear correspondeoce between lightoff temperature and lightoff time for a l l
catalysts studied. This sug5ests that the catalyst which retain the lowest lightoff temperatures during
aging and poisoning will lightoff sooner during vehicle cold start, thus producing fewer cold start
emissions. As seeii in the figures 5 and 6, increased sulfur concentration increases lightoff
temperature for a l l cafalysts, suggesting that the corresponding vehicle emissions will be impacted in
n negative manner.
1080
. .
0 100 200 300 400 500 60
Fuel Sullur Level loom51
Liglrfoff fenrpcrafrrref . r CO: Soli8
curve 4K; dashed curve IOOK.
I:irrrre 5:
I
7igrrre 6: Trarrsierif lightoff lime versus lislrfoff
feniperaturc for all cofalysts.
Catalyst cleaninp, To assess the regeneration
of the catalyst after exposure to sulfur, catalyst
performance for all formulations was evaluated
at several stages of cleansing. These stages
included: I) exposure at 260ppmS; evaluation at
260ppmS; 2) evaluation at 34ppmS; 3) evaluation
at 34ppmS after high-temperature (660°C),
rich (A/F=13.6) cleaning for 30tnin; 4) exposure
a! 587ppmS. evaluation at 587ppmS; 5) eval!iation
at 34ppmS; 6) evaluation at 34ppmS atter
high tern erature, rich cleaning for 30 min. As
seen in &ure 6 for a Pd-only catalyst at the
CO-NOx crossover point, more than half of the
efficiency loss due to sulfut poisoning is regained
wheti evaluation procccded using a lowsulfur
fuel. However, to regain nearly all
efficiency loss, a rich high temperature cleansing
of tlie catalyst was iiecessar and is in
agreement with the work of BeckYz’ et al. In
addition, trends for lightoff temperature are 1 similar to these in that the application of sulfur
in fuel raises the lightoff temperature and time
of rhc catalyst and a high tcmperaturc cleansing
is necessary to return it to its pre-exposure
levels.
COorNoxatCmsover HCalCrossover
l?grrre 7: Currversiorr efjiciericy at CO/NOx
p , ~ ~ o lcraf~olyy sl. Dofa “1: , I ) ex;,=-
26n, evol=260; 2) e.rp=260, eval=34; 3) exp=34;
cvol=34; 4) cxp=SS7, evaI=SS7; 5) cxp=587,
ettal=34; 6) cxp=34, evak34 ppmS. CONCLUDING REMARKS: In evaluating
fully formulated Tri-metal, Pd-only, Pt/Rh and
PdIRIi c;italysts ;it 4K or IOOK miles of aging during tlie application of 34, 260 or 557 ppmS to the
f d stock. resuIIs indicate that the application of sulfur reduces catalyst efficiency (the Tri-metal
being the lciist affectcd) near stoichiometry and rich of stoichiomctry. Moreover, it increases the liglitoff
tcinperature and the lightoff titile of a l l forinulations evaluated. The consequence of these
results is the suggcstion that. when o erdted on fuel containing elevated sulfur levels. overall vehicle
cliiissioiis syslem pcrforinance will & & J e due to the increased sulfur level. Fortunately. when fuel
sulfiir is removed much of the lost efficiency is regained. but to fully regain lost efficiency, a high
teinpcratitre. rich cleaning process must be applied. As seen, conversion efficiencies for CO, HC and
NOx iiccessary to achieve LEV or ULEV emission levels will be significantly lowered due to fuel
sdrur atid cui impede attainment of these levels.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: The authors thank Mr. David Osborn and Mr. Arlhur Kolaskn for
coitducring the sweep and lightoff experiments.
I) C;rlvctt,J.Ci., I-lcywood,J.B.. Sawycr,R.F. and Seinfe1d.J.H.. Science 261 17-45 (1993).
2) Bcck, D.D..S omniers, J.W. and DiMaggio, C.L.. Applied catalysis’ B:Eb;ironnhal. 3,
3) Kock1.W.J.. Bens0n.J.D.. Burns,V.R., Gorse,R.A.,Jr, Hockhauser A.M., Knepperj.C.,
Leppird.N.R.. Painler,L.J., Rapp,L.A.. Reu1er.R.M. and Rutherford,J.A’.. SAE paper 932727,
(Soc of Auto..Engr.) (1993).
4) California Emission Standards iii the Northeast States, Environmental and Safety
Engiiieering. Internal Report, March 7. 1994.
5) I990 Motor Vehicle Manufacturers’ Association Summer Gasoline Survey (American
Automobile Manufacturers Association, Detroit. 1990).
6) U.S. Federal Register, Vol 37. No. 221, Part If. November 15 (1972).
205-227 (1994).
1081
THE EFFECT OF SO2 ON THE CATALYTIC PERFORMANCE OF CO-ZEOLITES FOR
THE SELECTIVE REDUCTION OF NOX BY METHANE
Yueiin Li and John N. Armor
Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
7201 Hamilton Boulevard, Allentown, PA 18195-1501, USA
Keywords: NOx reduction, So2 effect, Co-zeolites
INTRODUCTION
Selective catalytic removal of Nlox from stationary emission sources is an important
and challenging task. Beyond the SCR (selective catalytic reduction of NOx) technology with
ammonia, a variety of alternative approaches have been explored in the past few years, such as
direct NO decomposition [.l,.and references .therein] and NO reduction by hydrocarbons [2-
141. Most of the current studies involve CI to C3 hydrocarbons as selective reducing agents for
NOx over metal zeolite catalysts. Among many performance factors, e.g., activity, selectivity
and catalyst stability, the inhibition or poison of catalyst by exhaust by-products, such as Hz0,
S a and other compounds are also important issues. The effect of Hz0 on catalyst
performance was tested for many of these systems. However, the effect of So2 on NO
conversion for these systems has not been sufficiently addressed. Low levels of sulphur
compounds exist in most of the fuel sources we use today and is known to poison many
catalysts. Building upon our earlier work 12, 15-20], we extended our study to the effect of
So2 on the catalyst performance. We describe here our studies on the effect of So2 and/or
H20 on catalytic performance over Co-ZSM-5 and Co-ferrierite.
EXPERIMENTAL
The preparations of Co-ZSM-5 and ferrierite were described previously 1161, and they
have the following compositions: Si/AI=I 1 and Co/AI=0.49 for Co-ZSM-5, and Si/AI=8.5
and Co/AI=0.39 for Co-ferrierite. The catalytic activities were measured using a microcatalytic
reactor in a steady-state plug flow mode. Normally a 0. IO g of sample was used for
activity measurement. The feed mixture typically consisted of 850 ppm NO, lo00 ppm CH4
and 2.5% 02, and the total flow rate was 100 cc/min. (The space velocity was 30,000 h-I
based on the apparent bulk density of the zeolite catalyst, - 0.5 g/cc).
Water vapor was added to the feed tising a H20 saturator comprised of a sealed glass
bubbler with a medium-pore frit immersed in de-ionized H20. Helium (25 cclmin) flowed
through the bubbler, carrying the H20 vapor to the feed. For reactions involving SOz, a
special, two-inlet reactor was used to minimize the contamination of the system by S a
exposure. A .$@/He mixture (212 ppm) was added to the reactor via a separate inlet, and this
So2 stream was mixed with other gases (NO/He, @/He and CHdHe) in the quartz reactor
within the furnace. The final concentration of SO:! in the mixture was 53 ppm.
TPD measurements were conducted in the same reactor system. For a typical TPD
measurement, a 0. lg sample was used. A sample was pretreated in situ at 500°C in flowing He
for lh. Alternatively, a catalyst was allowed to undergo a steady-state NO/CH4/@ reaction in
the presence of SO2 at 550°C for 2 h then flushed with He at the same temperature for lh. In
both cases, temperature was decreased to 25°C in flowing He. The NO adsorption was carried
out at 25°C by flowing a NO/Ar/He mixture (1700 ppm NO, 5500 ppm Ar) through the sample
at 100 cc/min, and the effluent of the reactor was continuously monitored by a mass
spectrometer (UTI 100C). Typically, a period of 30 minutes is sufficient to achieve a saturation
for NO adsorption with 0.1 g catalyst. After the NO adsorption, the sample was then flushed
with a stream of He (100 cc/min.) at 25°C to eliminate gaseous NO and weakly adsorbed NO.
As the gaseous NO level returned to near the background level of the mass spectrometer, the
sample was heated to 500°C at a ramp rate of 8"Clmin in flowing He (100 cc/min.), and the
desorbed species were monitored continuously by the mass spectrometer as a function of
timeltemperature.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The effect of SOz addition on the NO conversion over a Co-ZSM-5 catalyst was tested
first with a dry feed. In the absence of SOz, 39% NO was converted to Nz at 500°C. Upon
addition of 53 ppm of SOz, the NO conversion quickly increased to >50%, then gradually
decreased with time and reached to a stable level (- 32%) in - 2.5 h. The dramatic change of
NO conversion in the initial period upon So;! addition reflects the accumulation process of
So2 on the catalyst. Obviously, the first portion of SO:! deposited on the catalyst has most
impact on the NO conversion, and the steady-state NO conversion obtained after 2h in the So2
containing stream indicates an achievement of an equilibrium condition for adsorption and
desorption of So;?. Interestingly, increasing the reaction temperature to 550°C in the presence
1082
of raised the NO conversion to a new steady-state level at 55%, which is even higher than
that with a Sm-free feed at the same temperature (27%). Further increasing the temperature to
600°C decreased the NO conversion to 42%. which is still twice of that in the absence of SOZ
(Table 1). Note, in the absence of So2, the NO conversion has a maximum level at - 450°C
on Co-ZSM-5. The addition of SOZ shifts the optimum temperature to - 550°C. Therefore,
much higher NO conversions can be obtained at T t 550°C in a SOZ containing Stream.
Table I summarizes the impact of SOZ and/or Hz0 on the catalytic performance of Co-
ZSM-5. At 6oo"C, the addition of HzO (2%) + SOZ (53 ppm).does not have a significant
impact on the NO conversion. However, at T 5 550°C. the presence of both So2 and Hz0
significantly reduces the stabilized NO conversion. The positive effect of SOZ with a dry feed
at 550"C.diminishes when HzO is added. Note, at 550°C 2% HzO.alone has no impact on the
conversion.
Addition of S o 2 also decreases the CH4 conversion (see Table I) in a way consistent
with the change in NO conversion. When SO2 was added to the feed at 5OO0C, a continuous
decrease in CH4 conversion was observed. For steady-state runs, substantially lower CH4
conversions resulted from SO2 addition. This decrease is more pronounced at lower
temperatures and with the co-presence of HzO vapor. The selectivity of CH4 is gieatly
enhanced as the result of S a addition. At 500°C, CH4 is consumed exclusively for the
reduction of NO.
.To determine the fraction of Co covered by SO2 during a'steady-state NOICH4IOz
reaction, NO adsorption at room temperature and TPD of NO were carried out on a fresh and
SO2 exposed Co-ZSM-5 catalysts. A fresh Co-ZSM-5 was pretreated in situ at 500°C for 1 h
in flowing He (100 cchin). A separate sample of Co-ZSM-5 was exposed to a feed containing
53 ppm So2, 850 ppm NO, IO00 ppm CH4, 2.5% 02 at 550°C for 2 h. The sample then was
flushed with He at the same temperature for lh to flush out the gaseous SOz and subsequently
cooled down to room temperature in Rowing He. The TPD measurements with the SO2
exposed Co-ZSM-5 indicate a complete disappearance of the NO desorption peak at 360°C and
decreased intensities for the desorption peaks at 290 and 220°C. The low temperature
desorption peaks are unaffected. The quantification of the TPD measurements gives 0.88
mmollg (1.35 NO/Co) and 0.65 mmollg (1.0 NOICo) for fresh and SOz exposed Co-ZSM-5.
respectively. The SO2 coverage is 26% of the total Co sites.
We reported earlier that Co-ferrierite is more active and selective than Co-ZSM-5 [ 16,
191. However, Co-ferrierite is more sensitive to SO2. At 500°C (in the absence of HzO), upon
addition of 53 ppm SO;?, the NO conversion, initially 61 %, decreased with time and stabilized
at 16% after - 2 h. Increasing temperature to 550°C in the presence of So2 raised the NO
conversion to 23% initially, and the conversion increased only slightly in 1.5 h. After
eliminating the SU2 from the feed the conversion increased with time (from 25 to 32% in 1.5
h). [As shown in Table 2, in the absence of SOz the NO conversion is 50% at 550°C] Note, a
small further decrease resulted due to the addition of 2% Hz0 vapor in a So2 containing feed.
In the presence of SOz and Hz0, the optimum operating temperature is shifted to 600'C. With
2500 ppm CH4 [Our normal [CHI] is loo0 ppm.], NO conversions of 65 and 45% were
obtained in the presence of 53 ppm SOz under dry and wet conditions, respectively, which are
comparable to those in a SOz free feed (56% in dry feed and 51 % in wet feed). Similar to Co-
ZSMJ, a dramatic decrease of CH4 consumption was found due to So2 addition.
The TPD profiles performed on Co-ferrierite show a substantial reduction in intensity
for the NO desorption peaks at - 160 and 220°C on the SOz exposed Co-ferrierite, while other
desorption peaks remain same. The amounts of NO desorption integrated from the TPD
measurements are 0.91 mmol/g (1.35 NO/Co) and 0.68 mmol/g (1.0 NO/Co) for fresh and
SOz exposed Co-ferrierite, respectively (26% reduction of NO desorption on the So2 exposed
Co-ferrierite).
Obviously, the change in topology of zeolite has a strong impact on the effect of SOz.
With a dry, SO2 free feed, Co-ferrierite is more active than Co-ZSM-5 for the NO/CH4/02
reaction, but in the presence of SO2, Co-ZSM-5 is more active. Under certain conditions, SOz
even doubles the NO conversion on Co-ZSM-5. It is possible that SOZ preferentially adsorbs
on the sites on the outer surface of the zeolite or at the entrance of the 10-member rings. Based
on our earlier studies of Co-zeolites with various exchange levels of Co2+, we believe these
sites are less selective for the NO reduction but more active for the combustion of CH4.
Exposure of SOZ at high temperatures may selectively poison these sites. The TPD profile of
Co-ZSM-5 indicates a wide distribution of sites. While on Co-ferrierite, the NO desorption is
1083
dominated by the peak at 160 oC, and this peak was significantly reduced by SOz exposure.
On Co-ferrierite Sa reduces the NO conversion at all temperatures. In contrast to Sa
poisoning, HzO molecules adsorb on Coz+ sites uniformly, and consequently the CH4
selectivity does not change significantly (see Tables 1 & 2).
CONCLUSIONS
Co-ZSM-5 and Co-ferrierite behave differently in response to SOz addition. Over Co-
ZSMJ, SOz significantly enhances the NO conversion at T > 500°C in a dry feed; while
over Co-ferrierite, Sa greatly reduces the NO conversion. However, Co-ZSM-5 suffers
significant activity loss when both Sa and H20 are added to the feed. On Co-ferrierite, the
presence of both S a and H2O only caused a modest decrease in NO conversion compared to
Sa alone. On the other hand, on both catalysts SOz inhibits the CH4 combustion activity
more than NO reduction. As a result, the CH4 selectivity improved dramatically. SOZ poisons
the catalyst by strongly adsorbing on the Co2+ sites. The degree of the reduction of the number
of sites over both catalysts was measured by TPD and revealed that about 30% of the Co2+
sites are blocked under steady-state reaction conditions at 550°C. Interestingly, the preference
of SOZ adsorption on COZ+ sites is not the same on these two catalysts (due to their different
structural characteristics), which may be the reason why they response to So;? addition
differently.
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Table I Effect of so? on conversions/selectivity over Co-ZSM-Sa
w 2 1 500 oc 550 oc 600 OC
(ppm) dry wetb dry wetb dry ivetb
NO conv . 0 39 30 27 28 21 22
(%) 53 32d 15 55 25, 18C 42 24
(%) 53 13d 6 47 25, 19c 93 78
CH4 conv. 0 91 38 100 86 loo 100
Selectivity 0 18 33 11 14 9 9
selectivity.
Table 2 Effect of SO7 on conversions/selectivity over Co-ferrieritea
[SO21 500 oc 550 oc 600 OC
(ppm) dry wetb dry wetb dry wetb
NO conv . 0 61 28 50 40 40,56d 32,5Id
(%) 53 1 6C 13 25 18 30, 65d 24, 45d
(%) 53 6C 5 IO 9 53,56d 31,55d
CH4 selec. 0 43 52 22 23 17, Id 14, sd
(%) 53 -100c -100 loo 85 24, 20d 33, 14d
a Feed: 850 ppm NO, loo0 ppm CH4,2.5% 02; 2% H20 added; stabilized conversion (CHq] = 2500ppm.
CH4conv. 0 60 23 93 75 100, I d loo, l d
1084
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