Conversion of gaseous effluents of power plant to sodium carbonate: A value-added material for powder detergent

Abstract

The CO 2 emission from thermal power plants is one of the major causes of Global warming. Various CO 2 capture technologies such as chemical absorption and adsorption, solvent scrubbing, and membrane processes have been proposed; however, these approaches are expensive and energy-intensive. Here, we have developed a new process for the conversion of gaseous effluents from thermal power plants into nanostructured materials without producing secondary waste. The process includes passing the gaseous industrial effluent (flue gas) in three different aqueous-based solvents (neutral, acidic and alkaline). After completing the reaction, the alkaline solvent was evaporated to get a solid mass. A powder X-ray diffraction study confirms the formation of sodium carbonate. Transmission electron microscopic studies show the formation of a spherical particle of size ~150 nm. Further, gas absorption study reveals high absorption of CO 2 . The as-obtained sodium carbonate was used for the detergent formulation. The result shows grade I detergent has been prepared with improved detergency power (> 65%), having less than 15% active alkalinity, ~19% active ingredient and less than 1% ash. The above work shows a new approach for the scientific as well as the industrial community to convert pollutants into useful products. Design of new process for conversion of power plant effluent into cleaning productKeywords • Flue gas generated from the coal power plant has been captured • Treatment of captured flue gas has been done for the conversion into valuable sodium carbonate • Extracted sodium carbonate has been used for making powder detergent • No by-product has been obtained at the end of conversion