Adsorption of indigo carmine from aqueous solution using coal fly ash and zeolite from fly ash

Coal fly ash, a waste generated at the Figueira coal-fired electric power plant located in Brazil, was used to synthesize zeolite by hydrothermal treatment with NaOH solution at 100 °C for 24 h. The fly ash (FA) and this synthesized zeolite (ZM) that was characterized predominantly as hydroxy-sodalite were used as adsorbents for anionic dye indigo carmine from aqueous solutions. The samples were analyzed by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) for the determination of As, Co, Fe, La, Mo, Na, Sb, Sc, Sm, Th, U and Zn. Effects of contact time and initial dye concentration were evaluated in the adsorption processes. The kinetics studies indicated that the adsorption followed the pseudo-second order kinetics and that surface adsorption and intraparticle diffusion were involved in the adsorption mechanism for both the adsorbents. The Langmuir isotherm model provided the best correlation of the experimental data. The maximum adsorption capacity was found to be 1.48 mg L⁻¹ for FA and 1.23 mg L⁻¹ for ZM. Laboratory leaching and solubilization tests conducted to classify this ZM as if was a waste residue according to the Brazilian regulation classified it as a residue non-hazardous and non-inert.     

Floating cultivation of marine cyanobacteria using coal fly ash

The aim of this study was to develop improved methodologies for bulk culturing of biotechnologically useful marine cyanobacteria in the open ocean. We have investigated the viability of using coal fly ash (CFA) blocks as the support medium in a novel floating culture system for marine microalgae. The marine cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. NKBG 040607 was found to adhere to floating CFA blocks in liquid culture medium. Maximum density of attached cells of 2.0×10⁸ cells/cm² was achieved using sea water. The marine cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. NKBG 042902 weaklyadhered to floating CFA blocks in BG-11 medium. Increasing the concentration of calcium ion in the culture medium enhanced adherence to CFA blocks.     

Chemical characterization of density separated submicrometer coal fly ash

A new geometrical particle size separation method in the range of submicrometer has been developed for coal fly ash. Coal fly ash particles prefractionated less than 5m in geometrical diameter were fractionated with a coupling of supersonical dispersion in methyl alcohol and filtration through antistatic Nucleopore filter into >1.0, 1.0–0.8, 0.8–0.6m.Submicrometer (1.0–0.6m) and micrometer coal fly ash (25–20m) were separated into six density fractions and their compositions measured by SEM-EDX were compared. For the both size fractions, for the low density fractions (<2.8 g/cm³) consisted mainly of aluminosilicates and the fractions of 2.8–3.2 g/cm³ consisted of oxides of aluminum, silicon and calcium, and in the fraction above 3.2 g/cm³ iron was rich. In submicrometer fly ash, phosphor and sulfur concentrated to the particles rich in calcium. In the heaviest fraction, the particles containing over 30 wt% titanium as oxide observed among the particles rich in iron. These fractions were revealed not as a single component, but as mixtures of several components.     

New ceramic microfiltration membranes from mineral coal fly ash

This work aims to develop a new mineral porous tubular membrane based on mineral coal fly ash. Finely ground mineral coal powder was calcinated at 700 °C for about 3 h. The elaboration of the mesoporous layer was performed by the slip casting method using a suspension made of the mixture of fly ash powder, water and PVA. The obtained membrane was submitted to a thermal treatment which consists in drying at room temperature for 24 h then a sintering at 800 °C. SEM photographs indicated that the membrane surface was homogeneous and did not present any macro defects (cracks, etc.). The average pore diameter of the active layer was 0.25 μm and the thickness was around 20 μm. The membrane permeability was 475 l/h m² bar.This membrane was applied to the treatment of the dying effluents generated by the washing baths in the textile industry. The performances in term of permeate flux and efficiency were determined and compared to those obtained using a commercial alumina microfiltration membrane. Almost the same stabilised permeate flux was obtained (about 100 l/h m²). The quality of permeate was almost the same with the two membranes: the COD and color removal was 75% and 90%, respectively.     

Characterization of coal fly ash components by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

The high sensitivity of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) for the detection of most of the fly ash components enables the analysis of these residues produced during the combustion of coal. Fly ash consists of oxides (SiO₂, Al₂O₃, Fe₂O₃, CaO…) and unburnt carbon which is the major determinant of combustion efficiency in coal fired boilers. For example, an excessive amount of residual carbon dispersed in the fly ash means a significant loss of energy (Styszko et al., 2004 [1]). Standard methods employed for the analysis of fly ash make not possible a control of boiler in real time. LIBS technique can significantly reduce the time of analysis, in some cases even an online detection can be performed. For this reason, some studies have been addressed in order to demonstrate the capability of the laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy technique for the detection of carbon content in high pressure conditions typical of thermal power plants (Noda et al., 2002 [2]) and for the monitoring of unburnt carbon for the boiler control in real time (Kurihara et al., 2003[3]).In particular, the content of unburnt carbon is a valuable indicator for the control of fly ash quality and for the boiler combustion. Depending on this unburnt carbon content, fly ash can be disposed as an industrial waste or as a raw material for the production of concrete in the construction sector. In this study, analyses were performed on specimens of various forms of preparation. Pressed pellets were prepared with two different binders. Presented results concern the nature and amount of the binder used to pelletize the powder, and the laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy parameters and procedure required to draw calibration curves of elements from the fly ash. Analysis “on tape” was performed in order to establish the experimental conditions for the future “online analysis”.     

Rapid slurry analysis of solid coal and fly ash samples

Coal and coal fly ash samples were analyzed as solid slurries. These preliminary experiments used fast sampling STPF procedures which omitted the pyrolysis step and the matrix modifier. The experiments also used an ultrasonic mixing device that automatically stirred the suspension just before the autosampler probe withdrew the aliquot which it would dispense onto the platform. The combination of these techniques made it possible to reduce the analytical time to less than 1 min per sample. Simple aqueous standards were used for calibration. The NIST SRM 1633a Coal Fly Ash was successfully analyzed for As, Pb and Tl, with results for Se in this material that suggested that more work was required to gain confidence in the determination. The SRM 1632a Coal was successfully analyzed for As and Pb. The methods were the same for both materials. A few mg of the dry solid powder was weighed directly into the autosampler cup followed by a weighed amount (about 1.5 ml) of suspending diluent The characteristic mass was calculated from several aliquots of simple aqueous standards and this value was used to calculate the amount of analyte delivered to the furnace. In the work reported here the detection limits for the elements determined were about 0.5–1 μg/g in the solid sample. With further experience these limits may be improved. The precision for replicates of slurries from the same cup varied from 2 to 10% depending upon the amount of solid sample delivered to the furnace.     

Leachability and analytical speciation of antimony in coal fly ash

A new procedure was described with multiwalled carbon nanotubes as solid phase extraction packing material for the trace analysis of nicosulfuron, thifensulfuron and metsulfuron-methyl in water samples. The possible parameters influencing the enrichment were optimized and the optimal conditions were as followed: eluent, sample pH, flow rate and sample volume were acetonitrile containing 1% acetic acid, pH 3, 8 mL min⁻¹ and 500 mL, respectively. Under the optimal chromatographic separation and SPE conditions, the linear range, detection limit (S/N = 3) and precision (R.S.D., n = 6) were 0.04-40 ng mL⁻¹, 6.8 ng L⁻¹ and 2.5% for nicosulfuron, 0.04-40 ng mL⁻¹, 11.2 ng L⁻¹ and 5.4% for thifensulfuron, 0.02-20 ng mL⁻¹, 5.9 ng L⁻¹, 2.1% for metsulfuron-methyl, respectively. The established method was well employed to determine nicosulfuron, thifensulfuron and metsulfuron-methyl in tap water, seawater, reservoir water and well water samples, and satisfactory results were obtained, the spiked recoveries in the range of 87.2-100.7%, 96.5-105.6% and 83.7-111.1% for them each, respectively.     

Concurrent dyes adsorption and photo-degradation on fly ash based substrates

Most of the dyes are organic compounds, with different degree of polarization and different groups with various steric effects, making their complete biodegradation slow or even impossible. Adsorption on fly ash and fly ash based substrates represents a possible alternative for simultaneous removal of dyes and heavy metals form wastewaters resulted in the textile industry. Adsorption (under visible light) and adsorption and photodegradation (under UV irradiation) studies were done on Methylene blue solutions and on their mixtures with heavy metals (copper and cadmium), in systems using fly ash as single substrate, or mixed with a wide band gap semiconductor (TiO₂). The titanium oxides and hematite content in fly ash proved to be responsible for photodegradation processes even in the absence of the TiO₂ powder, confirming that modified fly ash is a viable candidate in developing up scalable processes for advanced wastewater treatment. The kinetic and thermodynamic studies allow to calculate the parameters and to describe the complex mechanisms, involving competitive adsorption.     

The trace analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) adsorbed on coal fly ash

Summary (Carbon-14)-labeled 3,4-benzopyrene was deposited on coal fly ash and alumina (as reference material), desorbed by means of liquid extraction and determined with the help of liquid scintillation counting. Recoveries between 8 and 50 percent were found. A thermal treatment reduces the recovery of 3,4-benzopyrene significantly. The chemical composition of coal fly ash and the type of extractant have a less pronounced effect.

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Spurenanalyse an Flugasche adsorbierter polycyklischer aromatischer Kohlen Wasserstoffe

Zusammenfassung Mit¹⁴C indiziertes 3,4-Benzopyren wurde als Bezugssubstanz an Flugasche und Tonerde adsorbiert, durch Flüssigextraktion desorbiert und mittels Scintillationszählung bestimmt. Die Wiederfindungsraten betrugen zwischen 8 und 50%. Wärmebehandlung setzt die Wiederfindungsrate beträchtlich herab. Die chemische Zusammensetzung der Flugasche und die Art des Extraktionsmittels haben geringen Einfluß.

     

Trace metal analysis of coal fly ash collected plain and on a quartz fibre filter

A simple, uniform procedure has been developed for microwave-based digestion of fly ash samples collected from the hoppers of an electrostatic precipitator (ESP), or collected from flue gases on a heat-resistant quartz fibre filter and for subsequent atomic absorption spectrometric analysis of trace metals (Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, V and Zn). HNO(3), HCl, HF and mixtures have been tested as digestion acids. The combination of HNO(3) and HF has been found to be efficient for the digestion of fly ash samples with and without quartz fibre filter material. In spite of the complicated matrix, results with satisfactory accuracy and precision (relative standard deviation below 10% for most of the elements) have been obtained. In the case of analysis of fly ash together with a quartz fibre filter, the calibration curve has to be determined by standard addition to a blank solution containing a dissolved blank quartz fibre filter.     

Trace metal analysis of coal fly ash collected plain and on a quartz fibre filter

A simple, uniform procedure has been developed for microwave-based digestion of fly ash samples collected from the hoppers of an electrostatic precipitator (ESP), or collected from flue gases on a heat-resistant quartz fibre filter and for subsequent atomic absorption spectrometric analysis of trace metals (Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, V and Zn). HNO₃, HCl, HF and mixtures have been tested as digestion acids. The combination of HNO₃ and HF has been found to be efficient for the digestion of fly ash samples with and without quartz fibre filter material. In spite of the complicated matrix, results with satisfactory accuracy and precision (relative standard deviation below 10% for most of the elements) have been obtained. In the case of analysis of fly ash together with a quartz fibre filter, the calibration curve has to be determined by standard addition to a blank solution containing a dissolved blank quartz fibre filter.     

Influence of several experimental parameters on As and Se leaching from coal fly ash samples

Coal fly ash leaching process for As and Se is studied. Environmental parameters such as pH, temperature, solid-liquid ratio, particle size and leaching time are taken into account in order to simulate As and Se leaching process for disposal coal fly ash. Analysis of reference materials was carried out by using of hydride generation coupled to atomic fluorescence spectrometry. Plackett-Burman experimental design is used to know the significative parameters, and Box-Behnken experimental design is used to refine the results obtained for these significative parameters. pH and temperature shown a hardly influence in leaching process. Furthermore, leaching time was also significative. According our results, it may be assumed that percentage of As and Se leaching in experimental conditions tested is relatively low for acidic fly ashes.     

Instrumental activation analysis of coal and fly ash with thermal and epithermal neutrons

A systematic comparison of thermal and epithermal irradiations in the instrumental activation analysis of coal and fly ash was made. From a total of 44 elements, the epithermal irradiation technique appeared advantageous in 20 cases, namely Ni, Ga, As, Se, Br, Rb, Sr, Zr, Mo, In, Sb, Cs, Ba, Sm, Ho, Hf, Ta, W, Th and U. Data are presented for the National Bureau of Standards’ coal (SRM 1632) and fly ash (SRM 1633).     

A Brazilian coal fly ash as a potential source of rare earth elements

Rare earth elements (REEs) have several applications and their market demands have increased. Recently, coal fly ash (CFA) has been considered as a source of these elements. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the REEs content in a CFA from a Brazilian coal power plant by instrumental neutron analysis, to classify it according to commercial purposes and to assess the weathering impact in the REEs content, since it is held in fields nearby the power plant. The results pointed no significant REEs leachability and indicated this CFA as a promising REEs source.

     

氧化钙对流化床燃煤飞灰中砷的淋滤特性影响

在实验室小型流化床实验装置上,利用添加氧化钙研究了原煤中钙硫比变化对燃煤过程中砷在飞灰中的富集规律和飞灰中砷的浸出特性的影响。实验结果表明,增加钙硫比能有效促进砷在飞灰中富集,降低砷的排放。砷与氧化钙的反应受制于钙的硫化反应控制。飞灰中砷的浸出与滤液pH值关系显著,碱性飞灰导致滤液pH值增大,能有效抑制飞灰中砷的浸出。碱性飞灰中砷的浸出历程为飞灰中砷在短时间内快速溶出;随着滤液pH值增大,溶出的砷与钙发生二次反应形成钙砷化合物沉淀,降低滤液中砷浓度。     

Thermal-desorption gas chromatographic procedure for screening coal fly ash for volatile organic compounds

Thermal desorption of coal fly ash in a flowing stream of helium liberates volatile compounds which are collected on Tenax resin. A chemical “fingerprint” of these components collected from the fly ash is obtained by using thermal desorption of the material collected on the Tenax resin and capillary-column gas chromatography. Compounds ranging in volatility from that of benzene (b.p. 80°C) through C₁-phenanthrene (b.p. ca. 360°C) are detected, but recoveries of components only through naphthalene (b.p. 218°C) are suitable for quantitative work. The method provides chemical information on volatile organic compounds complementary to that achieved by procedures based on solvent extraction.     

Determination of trace elements in coal and coal fly ash by joint-use of ICP-AES and atomic absorption spectrometry

Microwave-acid digestion (MW-AD) followed by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES), graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS), and hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry (HGAAS) were examined for the determination of various elements in coal and coal fly ash (CFA). Eight certified reference materials (four coal samples and four CFA samples) were tested. The 10 elements (As, Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, and Se), which are described in the Clean Air Act Amendments (CAAA), were especially considered. For coal, the HF-free MW-AD followed by ICP-AES was successful in the determination of various elements except for As, Be, Cd, Sb, and Se. These elements (except for Sb) were well-determined by use of GFAAS (Be and Cd) and HGAAS (As and Se). For CFA, the addition of HF in the digestion acid mixture was needed for the determination of elements, except for As, Sb, and Se, for which the HF-free MW-AD was applicable. The use of GFAAS (Be and Cd) or HGAAS (Sb and Se) resulted in the successful determination of the elements for which ICP-AES did not work well. The protocol for the determination of the 10 elements in coal and CFA by MW-AD followed by the joint-use of ICP-AES, GFAAS, and HGAAS was established.     

准东煤流化床气化飞灰的理化特性研究

采用灰熔点测定仪、X射线荧光光谱仪、扫描电镜和热重分析仪等方法,研究了准东煤流化床气化飞灰的灰熔融特性、物理结构和化学组成及气化反应活性。结果表明,准东煤与其流化床气化飞灰中Si O2、Fe2O3、Na2O和Ca O等矿物质含量存在显著的差异,但飞灰的灰熔点与原煤无明显差异。准东煤气化飞灰具有较宽的粒径范围,呈现双峰分布特征,且不同粒径区间飞灰的元素含量存在显著差异。提高气化温度,有利于提高飞灰的气化反应活性。准东煤流化床气化飞灰石墨化程度比煤焦要高,但其孔隙结构更为发达,含有丰富的中孔和中大孔,使得飞灰的气化反应活性高于煤焦。可通过提高气化温度、循环再气化的方法提高气化效率。     

Synthesis of zeolites from coal fly ash: application of a statistical experimental design

With the intention of decreasing the experimental test runs during the optimization of synthesis of zeolites from fly ash, a 2⁴ full-factorial experimental design was applied in this study. The preparation parameters that had showed significant influence on the synthesis of pure phase zeolite Na-P1 using one-step-at-a-time experimental approach were included, but extended also to those parameters of importance identified in the literature. At the same time, it was important that the levels of variation of parameters not be restricted to the conditions where a pure phase of zeolite Na-P1 was formed. The four synthesis variables investigated were; NaOH concentration (NaOH:SiO₂ molar ratio ranged between 0.35 and 0.71), ageing temperature (35?C55°C), hydrothermal treatment time (36?C60?h) and temperature (130?C150°C). The results obtained were assessed by the improvement in the cation exchange capacity (CEC) of the obtained zeolite, which showed that the phase purity is strictly controlled by the synthesis conditions. In the end, this approach provided sufficient understanding of the relationship between product properties and the four synthesis parameters, which took into account the individual effects as well as linear and nonlinear interacting phenomena. From the analysis, it was found that the main effects were ageing temperature and hydrothermal treatment time and temperature, which showed some interactions among each other.     

Cd2+和Ni2+在粉煤灰上的吸附特性

考察了粉煤灰对Cd2+和Ni2+的单组分吸附和双组分吸附性能。结果表明,粉煤灰可有效吸附水溶液中的Cd2+和Ni2+,去除率随pH升高而增加。吸附约60min后趋于平衡。粉煤灰对Ni2+的吸附容量高于Cd2+。单组分吸附平衡符合Freundlich模型和Redlich Peterson (R P)模型。双组分吸附时,Ni2+和Cd2+之间存在明显的竞争吸附效应;随干扰离子浓度升高,竞争吸附效应增强。不同模型拟合结果表明,双组分吸附平衡符合Freundlich竞争吸附模型。脱附实验表明,Cd2+比Ni2+易于脱附;0.1mol/L HCl、0.1mol/L HNO3 和0.05mol/L H2SO4的脱附效果接近,对Cd2+脱附率>60%,对Ni2+脱附率>35%。