Semester

Fall

Date of Graduation

1998

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

MS

College

Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources

Department

Chemical and Biomedical Engineering

Committee Chair

H. O. Kono.

Abstract

In order to improve the performance of hot gas ceramic candle filters, the theological properties of two types of filter deposits were studied. Black powder from the IGCC (Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle) provided consistent data when sampled from two different sources. This powder's mechanical properties were independent of elevated temperature conditions, suggesting that the particle adhesion process is controlled by the theological properties of the powder. Per US DOE request an apparatus was built to more accurately simulate candle filtration, and it was used to show that the process was unaffected by elevated inlet pressure conditions. The system was modeled by Darcy's law, yielding a permeability coefficient that varied as a function of porosity between 0, at an approximate porosity of 0.885, and 3.7 x 10-11 m2.;As part of an on-going project, PFBC (Pressurized Fluidized Bed Combustor) simulated filter cakes were prepared, expanding the work of Richman (1997). The new apparatus was used to show that these filter cakes were also unaffected by inlet pressure between the range of ambient pressure conditions and 3 atmospheres. SEM microscopy was used to examine the structure of these cakes, both before and after sintering, revealing a system in which smaller magnesium sulfate particles adhere to the surface of larger calcium sulfate crystals, and apparently densifying more at higher magnesium sulfate compositions.

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