Characteristics of reactivity and structures of palm kernel shell (PKS) biochar during CO_2/H_2O mixture gasification

Palm kernel shell(PKS)biochars with different levels of carbon conversion were initially prepared using a tube furnace,after which the reactivity of each sample was assessed with a thermogravimetric analyzer under a CO_2 atmosphere.The pore structure and carbon ordering of each biochar also examined,employing a surface area analyzer and a Raman spectroscopy.Thermogravimetric results showed that the gasification index R_sof the PKS biochar decreased from 0.0305 min^(-1) at carbon conversion(x)=20% to 0.0278 min^(-1)at x=40%.The expansion of micropores was the dominant process during the pore structure evolution,ad mesopores with sizes ranging from 6 to 20,48 to 50 nm were primarily generated during gasification under a CO_2/H_2O mixture.The proportion of amorphous carbon in the PKS biochar decreased significantly as x increased,suggesting that the proportion of ordered carbon was increased during the CO_2/H_2O mixed gasification.A significantly reduced total reaction time was observed when employing a CO_2/intermittent H_2O process along with an 83.46% reduction in the steam feed,compared with the amount required using a CO_2/H_2O atmosphere.

Influence of Compaction Pressure on the Accelerated Carbonation of Calcium Hydroxide

Mineral carbonation using waste cement is a promising method to solve the problems caused by CO_2 emission and waste cement. Compaction pressure is an important parameter for mineral carbonation of calcium hydroxide, one of the most dominant composite of waste cement that can be carbonated. The carbonation degree, morphology of products and compressive strength of carbonated compacts are influenced by compaction pressure significantly. Results show that the carbonation degree of calcium hydroxide increases at first（0-8 MPa） and then decreases in the higher compaction pressure range（10-14 MPa）. At the meantime, results also indicate that lower compaction pressure accelerates the early carbonation but hinder carbonation in the later stages. For the morphologies of carbonation products, calcium carbonate tends to form typical crystal morphology of calcite（rhombohedral） under lower compaction pressure, while it will become ellipsoidlike when compaction pressure reaches 8 MPa. TGA and water content results show that there is an optimal water content for the carbonation. In addition, lower water content is adverse to the carbonation at later stage and the CO_2 is difficult to penetrate into the inside of compacts when water content is high, which will hinder the carbonation. XRD and TGA results show that the carbonation products are calcite and small amount of amorphous calcium carbonate.

Carbonation Behavior Assessment of RH Slag Batch after Aqueous Extraction at Environmental Pressure

In order to assess CO2 sequestration amount and carbonation degree for RH slag at surrounding pressure, carbonation process of RH slag batch in lab is investigated, and the parameters of carbonation degree and CO2 sequestration amount are the targets, and the relationship between both and relevant factors, such as CO2 flow, gas bubble size etc. is originally discussed. The carbonation degree increases when temperature increases before 60 oC, then decreases. Particle size has a positive effect on carbonation degree, and carbonation degree for 0.5 L/min is bigger than those for 0.1 L/min and 1.0 L/min. When small gas bubble generator is adopted, carbonation degree and CO2 sequestration amount is improved. The maximum carbonation degree and CO2 sequestration amount is 34% and 178.65 g/kgslag, respectively when 38 μm RH slag batch is carbonated for 90 min at 60 oC under the conditions that CO2 flow is 0.5 L/min and bubble size equals 5 mm. CaCO3 and MgCO3 phases exists through XRD analysis, showing that carbonation process is effective. Carbonation degree model is established assuming carbonation reaction occurs on the active surface of RH slag batch. This model fits very well by comparison between experimental results and model results.