Characterization of Gas Reburning-Sorbent Injection Technology By-Products

Abstract

ABSTRACTThree samples of fly ashes from pilot-scale tests of gas reburning and sorbent injection (GR-SI) technology were characterized physically, chemically, and mineralogically. Texturally, the samples consist of approximately 97% by weight of silt-size particles. Total chemical analysis showed that Al, Ca, C, Fe, Si, and S were the major elements, making up 56% of the total mass of the sample on average. Approximately 3% of the sample mass consisted of the elements Cl, Mg, P, K, Na, and Ti, and 0.4% consisted of trace elements. Major crystalline compounds found in these samples were lime (CaO), anhydrite (CaSO4), and calcium carbonate (CaCO3). Calculations show that these compounds constituted from 56 to 76% of the mass of the samples. The morphology and chemistry of particles in GR-SI samples were similar to those of particles in conventional coal fly ashes. The particles in the GR-SI samples consisted of fragments and spheres of varying sizes. Most of the particles were calcareous. Silicate and alumino-silicate particles were fewer in number, and iron-rich particles were rare. The EP test indicated that extract concentrations of Ag, As, Ba, Cd, Cr, Pb, and Se were well below the EPA regulatory levels. Predictions of leachate compositions from these types of fly ashes, if disposed of as a landfill at a midwestern U.S. site indicate, that during the first ten years the concentrations of Ca, SO4, Na, B, and OH would remain high. The concentrations of minor constituents (As, Ba, Cd, Cd, Cu, Cr, Fe, Ni, and Se) in the leachate are predicted to be at trace levels.