Fly Ash Emissions Research Articles

Coupled physicochemical dual-crosslinking Ti3C2Tx composite aerogels for the selective adsorption of gallium ions in acid fly ash leaching

Herein, in order to extract Ga3+ from acid fly ash leaching, we propose a functionalized Ti3C2Tx-based MXene composite aerogel adsorbent for Ga3+ adsorption. The prepared physicochemical dual-crosslinking network aerogel MPHG-40 possesses good Ga3+ adsorption performance (132.52 mg g−1) at the pH of 3 and Ga3+ initial concentration of 50 mg L−1 within 6 h. After five adsorption-desorption cycles, the material shows good mass retention and a 95.65 % retention of its initial adsorption capacity, compared to most reported adsorbents. The optimized adsorbent realized good selective adsorption of Ga3+ against Cu2+, Zn2+, Fe3+, and Al3+ in a simulated acid fly ash leaching with the selective coefficient of 8.63, 96.10, 4.49, and 28.30, respectively. The adsorption may comply with a combined mechanism of physical adsorption, electrostatic interactions, ion-exchange mechanism, and ligand chelation, dominated by chemical adsorption, as identified by theoretical calculations based on density functional theory and experimental data. The three-dimensional solid adsorbent constructed in this study provides a new strategy for selective adsorption of Ga3+, making it possible to be applied to solid waste utilization of fly ash.

Soil contamination caused by fly ash from coal-fired thermal power plants in India: Spatiotemporal distribution and elemental leaching potential

On combustion, coal produces fly ash (FA) and spheroidal carbonaceous particles (SCP) at high temperatures. Airborne particles like FA and SCP can be transported over long distances by wind, leading to the pollution of air and water resources. Concern mainly arises from various toxic metals loosely bound to the surface of FA and SCP. Here, we trace the provenance of SCP in soil samples collected upwind and downwind from two coal-fired thermal power plants (TPP) in central Nagpur (Khaperkheda and Koradi) that have been operational for over four decades. The samples showed morphological similarities between SCPs from soil samples and FA collected from the Khaperkheda power plant. The SCP distribution shows a sharp increase in the soil profiles coinciding with the expansion of the power plants between 2010 and 2015. Backward trajectories of winds were calculated to ascertain whether the sampling locations downwind of the TPPs were potentially affected by FA emissions. The results from the back trajectories indicate that emissions from the TPP are directed toward the sampling sites. Finally, leaching experiments were conducted in FA to assess the release of elements. Leaching experiments at 30, 40, and 50 °C and at a given pH or extraction time did not show any notable differences in elemental concentrations of Al, As, Ca, Cr, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Se, Ni, Ti, V, and Zn. The concentration of different elements mobilized from FA was high at pH 3, with rapid leaching occurring within the first 30 min of the experiment. Hence, disposal, reclamation, and management of FA need to be regulated and monitored correctly to ensure the safety of its use.

Insights into the composition and properties of fly ash emissions from a municipal solid waste power plant

This study examines the fly ash from Soc Son municipal waste power plant (SMPP) and suggests ways to repurpose it to reduce its environmental impact. Fly ash from the Soc Son waste power plant has a gray color, spherical particles with a 5–103 μm diameter, and a high carbon and heavy metal content. Bermorite crystals can absorb and release heavy metals, making monitoring secondary pollutants during incineration crucial. The EDX analysis of fly ash from the Soc Son waste power plant revealed that it was predominantly contaminated with metal elements, with the highest percentage of calcium. The EDX was able to detect heavy metals in incinerator fly ash. The concentration of Zn in the fly ash exceeded QCVN 07:2009/BTNMT standards, indicating the high amounts of some elements that may be hazardous to the environment and human health. Using the SEM/EDX and XRF, the fly ash from the Soc Son landfill power plant was analyzed and discovered that it exceeds permissible limits for dangerous heavy elements. The most common inorganic elements are Ca, followed by Zn, Pb, Cd, and Ag. Fly ash is classed as hazardous waste due to its high concentration of heavy metals, which results from the combustion of municipal solid waste that has not been separated. Vietnam fights municipal solid waste incinerator fly ash production. Some nations stabilize fly ash to remove harmful components and use it in buildings. Stabilized fly ash makes unfired construction bricks and cement manufacturing components and combining fly ash with inorganic trash protects the environment.

Novel framework for assessing economic viability and environmental impacts: Use of waste products in soil stabilization

This study developed a framework that evaluated the carbon emission and cost-effectiveness of fly ash, rice husk ash, and face masks as additives for soil stabilization. The research scope of this study included modification of soil using varying dosages of additives, quantification of improvement in soil properties, pavement design under different traffic conditions, and estimation of cost and emission. In this process, a total of 30 pavement sections were considered, and Euclidean distance method was employed to develop a combined ranking of the pavement alternatives based on their resource consumption and environmental impacts. The study findings showed that Rice Husk Ash and Fly Ash offered lower costs of construction and carbon footprint than the control pavement sections under all traffic conditions. Additionally, face mask was found to be suitable under low traffic conditions at minimum content. It is envisaged that the framework developed in this study would provide important insights to the policymakers, engineers, practitioners, road agencies, and other stakeholders in assessing various pavement alternatives that ensure the economic and sustainable development of transportation infrastructure.

STUDIES OF THE AREA AROUND SINGRAULI COAL FIELD & ENERGY BELT, DISTRICT SIGRAULI, MADHYA PRADESH INDIA

STUDIES OF THE AREA AROUND SINGRAULI COAL FIELD & ENERGY BELT, DISTRICT SIGRAULI, MADHYA PRADESH INDIA

Assessment of the Costs of Implementing the Best Available Ash Collection Technologies at Coal-fired Thermal Power Plants

According to existing plans, the environmental situation in Russia is going to be improved by modernizing or replacing outdated equipment at industrial enterprises and making a shift to the best available technologies. The thermal power industry is commonly referred to industrial sectors featuring the greatest negative impact on the environment. Emissions of fly ash with flue gases from coal-fired thermal power plants are of much significance from the viewpoint of atmospheric air pollution. Various ash removal technologies are used to reduce them, but a number of them are no longer able to provide the required quality of atmospheric air in areas experiencing a negative impact of thermal power plants. The aim of this work was to assess the possibility of using different types of ash collectors to fulfill the technological indicators of solid fuel ash emissions. For this purpose, the technical and environmental characteristics of various technologies for removing solid fuel ash from the flue gases of thermal power plants were compared, and their main indicators, advantages, and disadvantages were considered. The choice of the most effective ash collection technologies -- electrostatic precipitators and bag filters — to fulfill the technological indicators of ash emissions according to GOST R 50831-95 as the best available technologies is justified. A comparative technical and economic assessment of using electrostatic precipitators (EP) and bag filters (BF) downstream of the boilers of combined heat and power plants (CHPPs) and condensing thermal power plants (CTPPs) combusting the main Russian coals: grade SS Ekibastuz coal, grade SS Kuznetsk coal, grade 2B Irsha-Borodino coal, and Donetsk anthracite culm was carried out. The total capital and operating costs for the implementation, the specific costs for the removal of one ton of ash from different coals in EF and BF for pessimistic and optimistic inflation forecasts are determined. It is shown that an increase in inflation will have a very negative impact on the introduction pace of BATs at Russian thermal power plants and may slow down the introduction of bag filters, which are the most efficient BAT for ash collection. Recommendations on the use of electrostatic precipitators and bag filters at CHPPs and CTPPs for different types of coals have been formed. It is proposed to use bag filters in combusting high-ash coals, the ash of which is characterized by high electrical resistivity. Electrostatic precipitators should be used in combusting low- and medium-ash coals, because the difference in the mass of captured ash in the EF and BF for the same coal is small, whereas the cost of implementing EF is significantly lower. The specific cost of the ash removed differs little for the boilers of CHPPs and CTPPs operating on the same coal; however, it depends strongly on the level of inflation, the growth of which increases significantly the operating costs.

A novel approach to the dry desulfurization process by means of sodium bicarbonate: A full-scale study on SO2 emission and geochemistry of fly ash

The application of Dry Sorbent Injection (DSI) desulfurization with sodium bicarbonate was investigated to reduce SO2 emission from power sector. The sorbent was injected directly into the combustion chamber of the 29 MWth grate boiler, into a non-standard area of high temperature (approximately 700 °C), while generally the DSI method is carried out in the flue gas duct with a temperature below 250 °C. Unique nozzle design for injecting powdery sorbents was implemented and two stoichiometric ratios were tested: NSR = 1.1 and NSR = 3.0. The reduction of SO2 from a base level of 1580 mg SO2/Nm3 to 301 mg SO2/Nm3 at 6% O2 was achieved, resulting in a process efficiency of 81%. The chemical properties of fly ash were determined in terms of its safe storage and potential use according to the principles of the circular economy. Ash formed during the desulfurization process shows a different chemical composition than the reference sample. A significant increase in the concentrations of the following components and parameters was indicated: S, Na, Zn, Cu, As, Mo, Pb, loss of ignition (LOI) and total organic carbon (TOC). The change in chemical composition led to an increase of total dissolved matter (TDS) in water leachate as well as sulphates, chlorides, fluorides, As, PB, Cu and Zn concentrations.

Environmental Stress and Health Vulnerability Assessment around Kolaghat Thermal Power Plant, West Bengal

One of the 17 types of severely polluting sectors in the nation is thermal power plants which exert pressure upon the environment and health aspects in several ways e.g. creating thermal, air, and water pollution, exacerbating physiological acute and chronic responses, and affecting the subjective wellbeing of an individual residing proximal to the source. Situated on the right bank of the Rupnarayan river, Kolaghat thermal power plant is one of the major power generating plants of West Bengal, which is also producing 7500-8000 metric tons of fly ash every day but having only 325 acres of land for its disposal. Hence the plant has been exerting pressure upon the surrounding environment since its establishment and growth between 1980-1985. This study is to evaluate the overall impact of thermal power plants on the local environment and public health using a composite index that incorporates environmental and health dimensions i.e. Air quality index, drinking water quality index, land surface temperature, social parameters, Non–communicable disease rate, etc. The study reveals the local-level impact of air pollution and the impact of fly ash emissions. Nandakumar, Tamluk, and Kolaghat have been identified as blocks under stress. The workers of the plant have reported undesirable thermal and ambient air quality conditions within the battery limit, with the prevalence of skin problems, allergies, and fatigue among them. Site-specific plantation and phytoremediation techniques with the use of riparian buffers have been recommended.

Fly ash emission from Kolaghat thermal power plant and its effect on surrounding agriculture: Application of multivariate analytical techniques for impact analysis

Fly ash emission from Kolaghat thermal power plant and its effect on surrounding agriculture: Application of multivariate analytical techniques for impact analysis

Material innovation and performance optimization of multi-solid waste-based composite grouting materials for semi-flexible pavements

With the increasing power generation capacity of circulating fluidized bed boilers and electrolytic aluminum production worldwide, the emissions of fluidized bed coal combustion fly ash (FBCF) and bayer red mud (BRM) have increased dramatically, resulting in extremely severe environmental issues as it is difficult to utilize these as resources. To address this issue, this study uses industrial solid wastes such as BRM, FBCF, and silica fume as mineral admixtures to develop a green and low-carbon early strength multi-solid waste composite grouting material (ESMSWCGM) for semi-flexible pavements (SFPs). According to the findings of this study, 18 % of the cement in the ESMSWCGM could be replaced with the three solid waste mineral admixtures. With the optimal ratio, the developed ESMSWCGM exhibits initial and 20-min flow-cone fluidities of 12 s and 14 s, respectively, and initial and final setting times of 66 min and 69 min, respectively. The compressive strengths at 3 h, 1 d, 7 d, and 28 d are 17.05 MPa, 22.95 MPa, 29.55 MPa, and 30.72 MPa, respectively, and the dry shrinkage rate at 28 d is 0.12 %. The performance of the SFP material obtained through grouting is excellent. When the grouting saturation is 95 %, the SFP has a dynamic stability of 28911, a rutting depth of 1.19 mm, and a splitting strength of 1.91 MPa.

Multi-aspect engineering properties and sustainability impacts of geopolymer pervious concrete

This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate multi-aspect engineering properties and sustainability impacts of geopolymer pervious concrete. Geopolymer binder was prepared using metakaolin (MK) or fly ash (FA) with granulated blast furnace steel slag (GBFS) and used to fabricate pervious concrete; while conventional pervious concrete was made with Portland cement (PC). The strength and durability results show that the MK based pervious concrete exhibited superior performance in mechanical property (3200 psi compressive and 520 psi splitting tensile strength) and lowest mass loss (3%) after 70 cycles of freeze & thaw test. The FA based pervious concrete had about 10% higher splitting tensile strength and better raveling resistance than the PC based pervious concrete, but its freeze & thaw resistance was the lowest (8% mass loss after freeze & thaw test). The hydraulic conductivity test results show that the porosity was the major influence factor for permeability coefficient. The permeability coefficients increased from 3.5 to 12 mm/s with the increase of porosity from 13.5% to 24.5%. However, the binder type had no obvious effect on the permeability and clogging resistance. In addition, life-cycle assessment (LCA) was applied to quantify energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission of pervious concrete with different raw materials. The FA based pervious concrete showed the lowest energy consumption, while the MK based pervious concrete had slightly greater energy consumption than conventional pervious concrete. Compared with PC based one, the GHG emissions of MK and FA based pervious concrete could be reduced by 33% and 53%, respectively.

Occurrence and source analysis of polychlorinated naphthalenes in raw cow milk

The potential contamination of food items with polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs) has attracted increasing attention because of their toxicity, persistence and bioaccumulative characteristics. Humans are exposed to PCNs primarily through consuming animal-derived foodstuffs. However, the pathways by which PCNs can enter the food supplying chain are poorly understood. In this study, Σ75PCNs were determined in raw cow milk (n = 82) collected from three different regions that varied in the intensity of PCNs emission sources in North China, using high-resolution gas chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry method. Higher PCN concentrations (214–2050 pg/g lw) were found in raw cow milk from dairy cow farms located in the region with relatively higher intensity of emission sources. Less chlorinated congeners were dominant in all raw cow milk samples. PCNs in cow milk might result from industrial fly ash emissions that contaminate animal feed through atmospheric deposition. Risks posed to humans through consuming PCNs in cow milk were low.

Justification of the Reduction Possibility of Sulfur Oxides and Fly Ash Emissions during Co-Combustion of Coal and Waste from Woodworking Enterprises

In this work, we experimentally investigated the effect of widespread biomass (woodworking waste—pine sawdust) in the composition of mixed fuel, formed also using the widespread steam coals metalignitous (D) and lean (T), on the concentration of sulfur, nitrogen and carbon oxides in flue gases. Investigations of composite fuels with a mass of at least 5 g were carried out in a reactor with continuous recording of the composition of the flue gases formed during the thermal decomposition of the investigated fuels. Thermal decomposition of fuels was carried out in the temperature range from 293 K to 873 K. It was found that an increase in the proportion of wood components in mixed fuels based on two different coals from 10% to 50% leads to a significant decrease in the concentration of sulfur oxides from 11% to 95.8% relative to the concentration of the formation of sulfur oxides in a homogeneous coal, respectively. It was found that an increase in the proportion of the wood component in the mixture with grade D coal up to 50% leads to a significant increase in the content of calcium sulfates (45.1%) and aluminum (43.2%) in the blended fuel. The increase in the content of these salts in the ash of mixed fuels based on T coal and wood is 35.1% and 38.6%, respectively. The obtained research results allowed us to conclude that woodworking wastes are an effective addition to the coals of various deposits, which would help to reduce anthropogenic-induced gas emissions when they are co-combusting in the furnaces of power boilers.

Evaluation and Integration of Geochemical Indicators for Detecting Trace Levels of Coal Fly Ash in Soils.

Coal combustion residuals (CCRs), in particular, coal fly ash, are one of the major industrial solid wastes in the U.S., and due to their high concentrations of toxic elements, they could pose environmental and human health risks. Yet detecting coal fly ash in the environment is challenging given its small particle size. Here, we explore the utility and sensitivity of using geochemical indicators (trace elements, Ra nuclides, and Pb stable isotopes), combined with physical observation by optical point counting, for detecting the presence of trace levels of coal fly ash particles in surface soils near two coal-fired power plants in North Carolina and Tennessee. Through experimental work, mixing models, and field data, we show that trace elements can serve as a first-order detection tool for fly ash presence in surface soils; however, the accuracy and sensitivity of detection is limited for cases with low fly ash proportion (i.e., <10%) in the soil, which requires the integration of more robust Ra and Pb isotopic tracers. This study revealed the presence of fly ash particles in surface soils from both the recreational and residential areas, which suggests the fugitive emission of fly ash from the nearby coal-fired power plants.

Coal Fly Ash in Vietnam and its Application as a Lightweight Material

Each year in Vietnam, to operate the country's thermal power plants, it is necessary to utilize a large quantity of coal. The power plants then generate a large amount of coal fly ash (FA), which is a hazardous solid waste that can seriously affect the environment. There is an urgent need to develop appropriate solutions for treating or reusing the generated FA. In this study, the layout of coal-fired thermal power plants in Vietnam, as well as the country's coal use and FA emissions, are discussed. Research is reviewed on the potential applications of FA in Vietnam, along with related research from the past 20 y worldwide, and is found to demonstrate that the main application of FA is that of a geopolymer in construction, acting as a low-cost adsorbent that removes compounds, organic matter, emissions, metals, light aggregates, backfills, and auxiliary baselines, and synthesizes zeolites. On that basis, FA samples collected in the northern and southern regions of Vietnam were analyzed for their chemical compositions. The results determined that FA throughout Vietnam has the chemical composition, SiO2 + Al2O3 + Fe2O3 over 70 wt%. This is FA of classification F, according to TCVN 10302: 2014 (2014) and ASTM C618. This study concludes that the fly ash originating in Vietnam is suited to the production of porous, super-light materials with a high technical value, such as aerogels or aerogel composites. Such materials as these possess special properties such as a low density, high specific surface area or porosity, low thermal conductivity, sound insulation, low dielectric constant, low optical refractive index, or a high optical transmission capacity, elasticity, durability, or flexibility. The application of Vietnamese FA in the production of materials such as these is recommended by this paper, as a means of countering the environmental pollution problem of coal-fired thermal power plants and promoting the development of advanced materials in Vietnam.

Long-term durability and environmental safety of slurry type of coal ash mixed material

The combustion processes in coal-fired power plants generate a huge amount of coal fly ash (FA) as by-products. In Japan, there has been a continuous annual increase in the emission of FA due to the increased operation of thermal power stations after the Great East Japan Earthquake, which occurred in 2011. However, effectively harnessing these produced ashes has been a challenge. Coal ash mixed materials (CAMMs) (FA, cement and water composite) are being exploited mainly for the construction of port infrastructures in Japan, but their usage has been so far limited. One of the reasons for the lack of effective utilisation is that there are limited research opportunities and knowledge on the long-term durability of CAMM. Hence, this study evaluated the durability of CAMM under different exposure environments (atmospheric curing, water immersion and seawater immersion) in order to provide more understanding of the long-term application of CAMM. Results from this study indicated that the strength of CAMM increases with an increase in cement addition and curing days. However, under seawater exposure conditions, it is probable that the strength decreases after 1 year due to leaching of calcium ions from the CAMM. The deterioration of CAMM starts from the surface. Therefore, in conditions where direct contact with seawater is conceivable, attention should be paid to long-term durability.

Estimation of various radiological parameters associated with radioactive contents emanating with fly ash from Sahiwal coal-fuelled power plant, Pakistan.

The release of natural radioactive materials with the emission of fly ash as a result of coal burning in power generation plants is considered amongst the sources that elevate the technologically environmental radioactivity level. This research mainly concerns the assessment of various radiological parameters including excess lifetime cancer risk due to natural radioactive contents associated with fly ash emitted to the surrounding environment from the stack of 1320 Mw Sahiwal coal-fuelled power generation plant (CFPP). For this purpose, fifty-four soil samples were collected in a radius of 4 Km from CFPP and a highly background radiation-shielded HPGe system is used to measure radioactivity in the collected samples. The activity concentrations of radium-226, potassium-40, and thorium-232 in collected samples was found to be in the range of 20 to 138, 43 to 860, and 27 to 127 Bq/kg with average values of 66, 409, and 67 Bq/kg respectively. Activity concentrations of radium-226 and thorium-232 were observed significantly higher than UNSCEAR reported typical global average values. A significant decrease in the level of the aforementioned radionuclides in the collected soil samples was observed with increasing distance from the power plant, which is a clear indication for the elevation of radioactivity concentrations in the surrounding environment as a result of the operation of the CFPP. To assess the radiation dose delivered to the occupational workers and inhabitants living next to Sahiwal CFPP, absorbed γ-dose rate (Dγ), outdoor annual effective dose rate (EOutdoor), and excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) were estimated and these were found higher than the UNSCEAR recommended values of 59 nGy/h, 0.07 mSv/y, and 2.9 × 10-4 respectively. The outcome of this first systematic study is the assessment of potential radiological health risk to the occupational workers as well as the inhabitants living in the proximity of this CFPP.

Design of an electrostatic precipitator for a novel bituminous coal-fired circulating fluidised bed combustion power plant in Namibia

Coal-fired power plants utilising fluidised bed technologies emit copious amounts of fly-ash, which is harmful to people owing to its particulate nature. A planned 300 MW power plant will have an electrostatic precipitator (ESP) for fly-ash emissions control, in line with power generation industry best practices. This ESP should meet a fly-ash emission limit value ≤ 50 mg/Nm3. This paper details the design process and resultant technical specifications of a cold-side, single-stage, and plate-wire dry ESP designed for the power plant. The ESP will consist of twin-chambers with quadruple-fields (2 4 315 m3) and octonary bus-sections independently energised by individual high-frequency three-phase switched integrated rectifiers (70 kV, 800 mA) to maximise ionisation. Dynamically balanced, single-impact, tumbling hammer rappers (857.5 rpm) will dislodge fly-ash from the collector plates into mass-flow wedge-shaped hoppers. A specific collection area (≥ 56.9 m2/m3/s) and an ESP index (≥ 709.2 (kV/cm)2m2/m3/s) should guarantee a collection efficiency ( ≥ 99.5 %) and the specified emission limit value at 100 % boiler capacity and normal operating conditions (gas velocity ≤ 2.4 m/s; gas temperature ≤ 137 ℃; fly-ash loading ≤ 10 000 kg/Nm3; resistivity ≤ 1010 Ω‧cm). The design was successfully verified in principle using the validation square method, in conjunction with the leading comparable historical case studies approach. It is recommended to simulate ESP designs using suitable programs like Comsol Multiphysics and construct a pilot plant before attempting scaled-up construction and commissioning. Highlights A cold-side, single-stage plate-wire dry ESP system designed. Theoretical collection efficiency in excess of 99.5%. High-frequency, three-phase switched integrated rectifiers to be used for ionisation.

Mercury emission and adsorption characteristics of fly ash in PC and CFB boilers

The mercury emission was obtained by measuring the mercury contents in flue gas and solid samples in pulverized coal (PC) and circulating fluidized bed (CFB) utility boilers. The relationship was obtained between the mercury emission and adsorption characteristics of fly ash. The parameters included unburned carbon content, particle size, and pore structure of fly ash. The results showed that the majority of mercury released to the atmosphere with the flue gas in PC boiler, while the mercury was enriched in fly ash and captured by the precipitator in CFB boiler. The coal factor was proposed to characterize the impact of coal property on mercury emissions in this paper. As the coal factor increased, the mercury emission to the atmosphere decreased. It was also found that the mercury content of fly ash in the CFB boiler was ten times higher than that in the PC boiler. As the unburned carbon content increased, the mercury adsorbed increased. The capacity of adsorbing mercury by fly ash was directly related to the particle size. The particle size corresponding to the highest content of mercury, which was about 560 ng/g, appeared in the range from 77.5 to 106 µm. The content of mesoporous (4–6 nm) of the fly ash in the particle size of 77.5–106 µm was the highest, which was beneficial to adsorbing the mercury. The specific surface area played a more significant role than specific pore volume in the mercury adsorption process.

Synthesis and characterization of single-phase submicron zeolite Y from coal fly ash and its potential application for acetone adsorption

Abstract The large emission of coal fly ash (CFA) brings a series of environmental and health problems. Therefore, it is extremely necessary and significant to explore efficient ways to reuse fly ash. Zeolitization of CFA provides a potential alternative for creating high-added-value products from this hazardous solid waste. But the synthesis of zeolite from CFA is still a long way from industrialization. In this paper, a single-phase submicron zeolite Y (FAZ-Y3) was successfully synthesized from CFA via the alkali fusion hydrothermal method without the use of any organic structure guide agents. Results indicated that the type and purity of zeolite greatly depended on the preparation parameters and zeolite P was the major competitive phase. With an average size of approximately 250 nm, FAZ-Y3 possessing a specific surface area of 386.9 m2 g−1 and crystallinity of 92.73% was prepared at 80 °C for 12 h by adding the inorganic liquid-phase directing agent and exhibited excellent thermal stability. The product was then applied to acetone adsorption. It was found that Langmuir and Bangham model could better describe the experimental data and internal diffusion was the main resistance of mass transfer. The adsorption capacity of FAZ-Y3 could reach approximately 82% of that for the commercial zeolite Y (CZ-Y) and it also possessed considerable regenerability property. The results of this study provided a foundation for the synthesis of a low-cost adsorbent for controlling the emission of volatile organic compounds.