Fundamental mechanisms in flue gas conditioning. Quarterly report, January 1995--March 1995

This project is divided into four tasks. We developed our Management Plan in Task 1. Task 2, Evaluation of Mechanisms in FGD Sorbent and Ash Interactions, focused on characteristics of binary mixtures of these distinct powders. Task 3, Evaluation of Mechanisms in Conditioning Agents and Ash, was designed to examine effects of various conditioning agents on fine ash particles to determine mechanisms by which these agents alter physical properties of ash. We began Tasks 2 and 3 with an extensive literature search and assembly of existing theories. We completed this phase of the project with publication of two special Topical Reports. In our literature reviews reported in Topical Reports 1 and 2, we emphasized the roles adsorbed water can have in controlling bulk properties of powders. During the next phase of the project we analyzed a variety of fly ashes and fine powders in the laboratory. The experiments we performed were primarily designed to define the extent to which water affects key properties of ashes, powders, and mixtures of sorbents and ashes. We have recently completed a series of pilot-scale tests designed to determine the effects that adsorbed water has on fabric filtration and electrostatic precipitation of entrained fly ash particles in actual flue gas environments. Under Task 4 we will issue our Final Report that will summarize the results of our laboratory and pilot-scale work and will also include a model of flue gas conditioning. In addition to a few measurements performed on Bell Ayr Powder River Basin coal ash (ID No. 4118) collected during our most recent pilot-scale test, our efforts during this reporting quarter have been directed toward production of the Draft Final Report and the Flue Gas Conditioning Model