Biogas treatment by ashes from incineration processes

Abstract

This paper presents the characterization of ashes generated from different incineration processes, such as (a) coupled kilns, (b) conventional kiln, (c) wood, and (d) fly and bottom of Petacalco power plant, in order to set which is the best one for the purification of biogas from landfill. The techniques employed for the characterization were scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy. The ashes from these sources were analysed through their microstructural properties and features such as the efficiency of carbon dioxide reduction due to chemical reaction with the calcium oxide present in the ashes. Calcium carbonate mineral was obtained as a highly stable and insoluble salt. The results indicate that the ash from wood is the most appropriate to reduce the carbon dioxide due to its high calcium content. Dry fly ash from Petacalco power plant has the ability to carry out a process of carbonation according to the samples analyzed. It was noted that elements such as aluminium, sodium, potassium, and magnesium led to the formation of some other mineral species in the ash resulting from incineration processes.