A Flue Gas Desulphurisation System Utilising Alumina Causticiser Residue

Leon Munro (2009). A Flue Gas Desulphurisation System Utilising Alumina Causticiser Residue PhD Thesis, School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland.

       
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S4107976_PhD_resubmission_.pdf PhD Thesis application/pdf 6.87MB 19
Author Leon Munro
Thesis Title A Flue Gas Desulphurisation System Utilising Alumina Causticiser Residue
School, Centre or Institute School of Chemical Engineering
Institution The University of Queensland
Publication date 2009-10
Thesis type PhD Thesis
Supervisor Prof. John Zhu
Dr. Steven Rosenberg
Total pages 125
Total colour pages 27
Total black and white pages 98
Subjects 09 Engineering
Abstract/Summary The ever increasing global demand for materials has placed aluminium as the world’s second most used metal, with world annual production currently >24 million tons. Consequently, the global alumina industry is perpetually striving to meet demands in conjunction with research, development and implementation of more efficient and sustainable processes and practises. Of specific concern for many proponents within the industry is that increased alumina production inadvertently results in increased Bayer Process-derived alkaline solid and liquid waste loads. Furthermore, in-house power generation at all Australian alumina refineries contributes to acid gas emissions, particularly SOx and NOx, both of which have environmental and anthropogenic impacts of global concern. The focus of this work is SO2 emission. SOx emission control measures can be achieved before, during or after combustion; the latter is termed flue gas desulphurisation (FGD). Commercially available FGD systems are dominated by once-through wet processes whereby the flue gas passes up through an absorbtion tower. The most favourable medium for industrial use is seawater, followed by limestone, and in some cases, a combination of both. However, the ever-increasing stringency of environmental emission legislation continues to inflict tighter controls on power production and is forcing industry to investigate alternative cost-effective FGD mediums. Therefore much research is currently dedicated to the utilisation of high volume, alkaline waste streams over manufactured sorbents. Modern environmental engineering approaches to waste product minimisation, neutralisation and/or reuse have lead to many new processes which change the view of many materials from waste product to environmental resource. Subsequently, this work examines the application of an isolated Bayer Process waste product, tricalcium aluminate hexahydrate (TCA6), as a FGD medium. Initial research assessed the dissolution behaviour and performance of the proposed medium with sulphuric acid, followed by batch reactor trials with a simulated flue gas. Data derived from this research indicated the suitability of TCA6 as a FGD medium and was subsequently applied to a preliminary model and proposed design parameters required for further pilot scale investigations. This work provides strong support for an economically viable and more sustainable approach to FGD for the alumina industry.
Keyword Bayer Process
calcination
reduction
sulphur dioxide
tricalcium aluminate hexahydrate
flue gas desulphurisation
Additional Notes 1, 44, 50, 52, 57, 58, 62, 64, 67, 69, 70, 72, 75, 79, 80, 81, 82, 84, 85, 86, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 123.

 
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Created: Thu, 22 Oct 2009, 14:26:21 EST by Mr Leon Munro on behalf of Library - Information Access Service