High-temperature filters

Module 2 (Particle collection) Collection of solids Heated filter (high temperature)... 

Due to their anisotropic morphology with a unidirected pore structure on the micrometer level, biomorphous SiC- and SiSiC-ceramic composites represent interesting candidates for applications such as liquid metal filters, high-temperature catalyst supports or nozzle structures, and micro-reactor devices. 

The most common technique for estimating thermal stability is called the Jet Fuel Thermal Oxidation Test (JFTOT). It shows the tendency of the fuel to form deposits on a metallic surface brought to high temperature. The sample passes under a pressure of 34.5 bar through a heated aluminum tube (260°C for Jet Al). After two and one-half hours, the pressure drop across a 17-micron filter placed at the outlet of the heater is measured (ASTM D 3241). 

The main justification for diesel fuel desulfurization is related to particulate emissions which are subject to very strict rules. Part of the sulfur is transformed first into SO3, then into hydrated sulfuric acid on the filter designed to collect the particulates. Figure 5.21 gives an estimate of the variation of the particulate weights as a function of sulfur content of diesel fuel for heavy vehicles. The effect is greater when the test cycle contains more high temperature operating phases which favor the transformation of SO2 to SO3. This is particularly noticeable in the standard cycle used in Europe (ECE R49). 

The Courtaulds semicommercial production system is iUustrated in Figure 8. Dissolving-grade woodpulp is mixed into a paste with NMMO and passes through a high temperature dissolving unit to yield a clear viscous solution. This is filtered and spun into dilute NMMO whereupon the ceUulose fibers precipitate. These are washed and dried, and finally baled as staple or tow products as required by the market. The spin bath and wash Uquors are passed to solvent recovery systems which concentrate the NMMO to the level required for reuse in dissolution. 

Bismuth vanadate can be produced by chemical precipitation, as weU as by high temperature calciaation methods. In the wet process, the acidic solution of bismuth nitrate, Bi(N02)3, is mixed with the alkaline solution of sodium vanadate, Na VO. The gel formed is filtered off on a filter, pressed, washed, and converted to a crystalline form by calciaation at low temperatures of 200—500°C for 1 h (37,38). 

From Boric Oxide and Alcohol. To avoid removing water, boric oxide, B2O3, can be used in place of boric acid. The water of reaction (eq. 4) is consumed by the oxide (eq. 5). Because boric acid reacts with borates at high temperatures, it is necessary to filter the reaction mixture prior to distillation of the product. Only 50% of the boron can be converted to ester by this method. In cases where this loss can be tolerated, the boric oxide method is convenient. This is particularly tme for methyl borate and ethyl borate preparation because formation of the undesirable azeotrope is avoided. 

Dispersion Stability of Disperse Dyes at High Temperature. A disperse dye dyebath is treated under the desired test conditions at 130°C in a special apparatus (Gaston County Lab Dye and Chemical Tester) and filtered through cotton and polyester filters. The filter with the heaviest residue is then compared with a series of standard photographs of standard performance and rated equal to the one it most resembles (1 poor, 5 excellent). 

Dust Separation It is usuaUy necessaiy to recover the solids carried by the gas leaving the disengaging space or freeboard of the fluidized becl GeneraUy, cyclones are used to remove the major portion of these sohds (see Gas-Sohds Separation ). However, in a few cases, usuaUy on small-scale units, filters are employed without the use of cyclones to reduce the loading of solids in the gas. For high-temperature usage, either porous ceramic or sintered metal has been employed. Multiple units must be provided so that one unit can be blown back with clean gas while one or more are filtering. 

Because of their inherently high efficiency on dusts in all particle-size ranges, fabric filters have been used for collection of fine dusts and fumes for over 100 years. The greatest limitation on filter application has been imposed by the temperature limits of available fabric materials. The upper limit for natural fibers is about 90°C (200°F). The major new developments in filter technology that have been made since 1945 have followed the development of fabrics made from glass and synthetic fibers, which has extended the temperature limits to about 230 to 260°C (450 to 500°F). The capabihties of available fibers to resist high temperatures are still among the most severe limitations on the possible applications of fabric filters. 

Some PFBC boiler designs incorporate high-temperature, high-pressure (HTHP) filter devices in the flue-gas stream. These are installed primarily to protec t the gas turbine from erosion damage by the fine particles that escape the cyclones, but as the filters remove virtually all the suspended particulates, they also eliminate the need for back-end removal. The commonest HTHP filter elements used are rigid ceramic candles. 

The eopper eoneentrate is filtered and dried in rotary kilns and later sent to the eoneentrate smelter, where it is melted at high temperatures... 

Operating conditions are important determinants of the choice of filter media and sealant used in the cartridges. Some filter media, such as cellulose paper filters, are useful only at relatively low temperatures of 95 to 150"C (200 to 300°F). For high-temperature flue gas streams, more thermally stable filter media, such as nonwoven polyester, polypropylene, or Nomex, must be used. A variety of commercially available sealants such as polyurethane plastic and epoxy will allow fabric operating temperatures up tol50°C (300°F). Selected sealants such as heat cured Plasitcol will withstand operating temperatures up to 200°C (400°F). 

Flexible metallic media are especially suitable for handling corrosive liquors and for high-temperature filtration. They have good durability and are inert to physical changes. Metallic media are fabricated in the form of screens, wire windings, or woven fabrics of steel, copper, bronze, nickel and different alloys. Perforated sheets and screens are used for coarse separation, as supports for filter cloths or as... 

The second method used to reduce exliaust emissions incorporates postcombustion devices in the form of soot and/or ceramic catalytic converters. Some catalysts currently employ zeolite-based hydrocarbon-trapping materials acting as molecular sieves that can adsorb hydrocarbons at low temperatures and release them at high temperatures, when the catalyst operates with higher efficiency. Advances have been made in soot reduction through adoption of soot filters that chemically convert CO and unburned hydrocarbons into harmless CO, and water vapor, while trapping carbon particles in their ceramic honeycomb walls. Both soot filters and diesel catalysts remove more than 80 percent of carbon particulates from the exliatist, and reduce by more than 90 percent emissions of CO and hydrocarbons. 

Other properties of interest are carbon residue, sediment, and acidity or neutralization number. These measure respectively the tendency of a fuel to foul combustors with soot deposits, to foul filters with dirt and rust, and to corrode metal equipment. Cetane number measures the ability of a fuel to ignite spontaneously under high temperature and pressure, and it only applies to fuel used in Diesel engines. Typical properties ol fuels in the kerosene boiling range are given in Table 1. 

Engelhard s in-situ FCC catalyst technology is mainly based on growing zeolite within the kaolin-based particles as shown in Figure 3-9A. The aqueous solution of various kaolins is spray dried to form micR)spheres. The microspheres are hardened in a high-temperature l,3f)(TF/704°C) calcination process. The NaY zeolite is produced by digestion of the microspheres, which contain metakaolin, and mullite with caustic or sodium silicate. Simultaneously, an active matrix is formed with the microspheres. The crystallized microspheres are filtered and washed prior to ion exchange and any final treatment. 

---