Ash content tests

Figure 12-14. Typical ash content test setup. (Courtesy Plastics Technology Laboratory, Inc.)...

In 1990, a test using scrap tires (2x2 in. I DE) to generate steam for electricity was conducted at the Elexsys plant. The I DE replaced 20% of the plant s coal. Results showed that IDE is an environmentally sound fuel. Particulate emissions were reduced by the lower ash content of IDE, volatile organic compounds (VOC) were reduced because of more efficient burning of I DE compared to coal, and carbon dioxide emissions were reduced because I DE contains half the fixed carbon found in coal. Nitrogen oxide, chlorine emissions, and metals were also reduced, and ferrous metals and dioxins were nondetectable (7). 

Heating value of the product (SRC) is ca 37 MJ/kg (16,000 Btu/lb). Sulfur contents have been reduced from 2—7% initially to 0.9% and possibly less. Ash contents have been reduced from 8—20% to 0.17% (102). These properties permit compliance with EPA requirements for SO2 and particulate emissions. The SRC is primarily intended to be used as a boiler fuel in either a soHd or molten form (heated to ca 315°C). The soHd has a Hardgrove index of 150 (103). Boiler tests have been successfully carried out using a utiHty boiler. 

Materials, such as activated carbons, that are derived from natural products differ greatly in their effectiveness when used as catalyst supports, but it is difficult to delimit the factors present in the carbon that influence performance, Certain broad statements, such as that carbons with excessive sulfur or ash content tend to make inferior catalysts, only begin to touch on the problem. One of the advantages of buying commercial catalysts, instead of using laboratory preparations, is that commercial suppliers have solved this problem already by empirical testing of many carbons. They provide catalysts that are best by test. 

Diesel fuel may contain ash-forming materials in the form of abrasive solids or soluble metallic soaps. These solids cause wear of injection equipment, pistons, piston rings, and liners as well as increasing engine deposits. Ash content is expressed as a percentage of the weight of the original test sample of the fuel when burned to completion m an open container. 

As microwave sample preparation has evolved, standard microwave procedures have been developed and approved by numerous standard methods organisations (ASTM, AOAC International, EPA, etc.), see ref. [64]. Examples are standard test methods for carbon black/ash content (ASTM Method D 1506-97), lead analysis in direct paint samples (ASTM Method E 1645-94), etc. Table 8.15 shows some microwave ashing references (detection weight). A French AFNOR method utilises the atmospheric pressure single-mode microwave method as an alternative sample preparation procedure for Kjeldahl nitrogen determination [84], The performance of a microwave-assisted decomposition for rapid determination of glass fibre content in plastics for QC has been described [85]. 

Table 2 presents the results of tests to measure the calorific power, ash content, and chlorides concentration of some of the materials obtained from the separation process, such as polystyrene, aluminum foil, plastic foam, and other plastics (general, clear, colored, black, and vinyl). Polystyrene and clear plastic have very high calorific power and low levels of chlorides, but polystyrene has very high ash content. Figures 10-17 present the samples of waste components from the separation and composting plant of Cantagalo. 

There is a need for further studies of the calorific power, ash content, and level of chlorides in waste materials for coprocessing in the cement industry or for incineration to generate energy (WTE), considering the variability of the wastes produced at different times of the year and by different populations, as shown by the test results. 

Two methods were used to determine the purity of the final material. The ash content was obtained by calculation of a weight loss of 1 g size graphite sample, after its exposure to 900°C for 4 hours (Superior Graphite AIMS procedure FBQ0001). This test gives a good idea of the total amount of impurities. The nature of impurities and their specific concentrations as measured in ppm or ppb levels, was determined with an ICP inductively coupled plasma spectrometer (Model Jobin Yvon Ultima POXX/681,... 

Table 21 reports the ash content and ash composition (determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy, ICP-AES) for all of the calcined cokes used to fabricate the test graphites. It can be seen that the amount of ash and its make-up are variable, but are within the range observed for petroleum-based calcined cokes. Although the ash contents in all of the calcined cokes appear rather high, these materials may still be acceptable because many of the metallic species are driven off during graphitization. This aspect is addressed in the next section. 

The 168 ton coal/day demonstration plant was commissioned in 1996 and has since undergone a series of tests in standalone and in IGCC mode, operating for a total of 1200 hours until the year 2000. The plant is designed for the gasification of Indian coals with a high ash content of up to 42%. 

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