Analysis of sulfur and nitrogen pollutants in three-phase coal combustion effluent samples

Abstract

Methods for analysis of sulfur and nitrogen pollutants sampled with water-quenched probes from pulverized coal combustors have been developed. Analyses are outlined for measurement of SO/sub 2/, H/sub 2/S, COS, CS/sub 2/, and NO in the gas-phase sample, SO/sub 4//sup 2 -/, S/sup 2 -/, CN/sup -/, and NH/sub 4//sup +/ in the liquid-phase sample, and total sulfur and nitrogen in the solid-phase sample. Permanent gas analysis and solid ultimate analysis methods are also presented. The relative error for these measurements was 6 to 8%, based on extensive laboratory testing. These methods were applied to the analysis of three-phase (gas, solid, and liquid) samples from a laboratory-scale pulverized coal combustor in a series of three tests with two different coals. Results emphasized sulfur pollutant measurements. Sulfur oxides, and to a lesser extent, H/sub 2/S, were the principal sulfur species formed while low levels of COS and CS/sub 2/ were also detected. Most of the SO/SUB x/ and H/sub 2/S were recovered in the liquid-phase sample. A mass balance for sulfur including that remaining in the char agreed to within 1% when the coal feed rate was determined from a carbo balance.