Synthesis of CeO_2/fly ash cenospheres composites as novel photocatalysts by modified pyrolysis process

A novel fly ash cenospheres（FACs）-supported CeO2 composite（CeO2/FACs） was successfully synthesized by the modified pyrolysis process.The prepared composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction（XRD）, scanning electron microscopy（SEM）, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy（XPS）, and diffuse reflection spectra（DRS） techniques.XRD results indicated that the CeO2 film coated on cenospheres was a face-centered cubic structure.SEM images confirmed that the CeO2 film was relatively compact.XPS results showed that Ce was present as both Ce4＋ and Ce3＋ oxidation states in CeO2 film coated on FACs substrate.The bandgap of the composite was narrower compared with the pure CeO2.The as-prepared material exhibited good photocatalytic activity for the decolorization of methylene blue（MB） under visible light irradiation, and the first-order reaction rate constant（k） of 0.0028 min–1 for CeO2/FACs composite was higher than 0.0015 min–1 of pure CeO2.The fact that they floated on water meant that CeO2/FACs composites were easily recovered from water by filtration after the reaction.The recycling test revealed that the composites were quite stable during the MB photocatalytic decolorization.The CeO2/ FACs catalyst was therefore promising for practical use in the degradation of pollutants or water cleanup.

Effects of temperature and composite alumina on pyrolysis of sewage sludge

An interactive dual-circulating fluidized bed system has been proposed in which the pyrolysis of sewage sludge（SS） and incineration of biomass proceed simultaneously, and alumina is used as the bed material and heat carrier. The alumina coated with biomass ash would mix with sewage sludge in the pyrolysis reactor of this device. It is important to know the influence of composite alumina（CA） on the pyrolysis progress. Sewage sludge was pyrolyzed in a fixed bed reactor from 400 to 600°C using CA as catalyst. The effects of temperature and CA additive ratio on the products were investigated. The product yields and component distribution of non-condensable gas were more sensitive to the change of temperature, and the maximum liquid yield of 48.44 wt.% and maximum Useable Energy of Liquid of 3871 k J/kg sludge were observed at 500°C with 1/5 CA/SS（mass ratio）. The gas chromatography–mass spectrometry results showed that the increase of temperature enhanced devolatilization of organic matter and promoted cyclization and aromatization of aliphatics. The presence of CA could strengthen secondary cracking and interaction among primary products from different organic compounds, such as acid–amine condensation,and reduce the content of oxygenated compounds. When the CA additive amount exceeded a certain proportion, the aromatization was clearly strengthened. The effects of CA on decomposition of fatty acids and formation of aromatics were similar to that of temperature. This means that the reaction temperature could be lowered by introducing CA, which has a positive effect on reducing energy consumption.