Simultaneous SO2 and NO removal from flue gas based on TiO2 photocatalytic oxidation

Reduction of CO2 emission through a photocatalytic process using powder and coated zeolite-supported TiO2 under concentrated sunlight irradiation

The efficiency of a novel synthetic zeolite (Ze) prepared from stone cutting sludge and a natural zeolite (clinoptilolite, Cp) as the support of TiO₂ photocatalyst was examined for the CO₂ removal under solar irradiation using a designed parabolic trough collector (PTC). The used samples were characterized using XRF, BET, SEM/EDS, and XPS analyses. The enhanced sunlight irradiation obtained by PTC increased the performance of CO₂ photocatalytic removal. The maximum CO₂ adsorption by TiO₂-Ze and TiO₂-Cp composites was 21.1% and 28.4% which increased to 61.8% and 78.9% under sunlight irradiation, respectively. The efficiency of zeolite-TiO₂ composites for CO₂ removal was approximately two times higher than zeolites and TiO₂ alone. The performance of TiO₂-Ze-coated composite with lower use of photocatalyst for CO₂ adsorption and photocatalytic removal was better than that of powder one. Regeneration of TiO₂-Ze using NaOH solution improved its removal efficiency. The adsorption behavior of CO₂ on TiO₂-Ze composite was well described by the Langmuir isotherm and the pseudo-first-order kinetic model. This work promises CO₂ reduction using natural and synthetic zeolite as an efficient photocatalyst support under solar irradiation.

Effectiveness of an air cleaner device in reducing aerosol numbers and airborne bacteria from an enclosed type dairy barn

There is growing pressure to find technically feasible and economically viable solutions in reducing emissions of pollutants from various occupational settings to minimise environmental pollution. Hence, it is essential to develop and test methods for controlling pollutants from occupational backgrounds. We have tested an air cleaner device in reducing aerosol numbers by filtration and airborne bacteria by photocatalysis from an enclosed type dairy barn. Here, we had shown a significant reduction of larger size aerosol numbers (2.0-10.0 µm) and airborne total aerobic bacteria and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and complete clearance of Escherichia coli (E. coli) in the exhaust air of the air cleaner device. A greater 8.05% and 61.56% reduction of 5.0-10.0 µm aerosol numbers and airborne E. coli, respectively, were observed in the instantly treated central air of the dairy barn. We had found an increasing trend of aerosol numbers and airborne bacteria concentrations in the central air of the dairy barn after stopping the air cleaner device. We also had observed increased bacterial load in the filter paper of the air treatment chamber of the air cleaner device with the advancement of cleaning time. These findings are essential to validate air cleanings from various types of dairy microenvironments.

Scale-up experiments of SO2 removal and the promoting behavior of NO in moving beds at medium temperatures

The dry flue gas desulfurization (FGD) method was studied, which is a part of the integrated removal of multi-pollutants at medium temperatures. Although dry flue gas treatment is a simple and effective method, it is still a highly empirical-led application technology. A superior desulfurization adsorbent, fine powder of NaHCO₃ (hereinafter called fine NaHCO₃), was selected by scale-up experiments. A deep understanding of the reaction process and mechanism is then explored, which helps the further optimization of dry desulfurization. Based on the multi-factor experiments for NaHCO₃, the effect mechanism of NO on desulfurization using NaHCO₃ is also proposed. The conversion of SO₃²⁻ → SO₄²⁻ is promoted by the existence of NO. Therefore, a slight decline can be found. According to the influences of the SO₂ concentration and the residence time, it is concluded that the diffusion of SO₂ into the channel of NaHCO₃ is the rate-limiting step. Impressively, the reaction process of reactants was clearly studied by in situ FTIR spectroscopy to determine the whole process. Moreover, the recycling of NaHCO₃ is the main direction for reducing adsorbent consumption in the next step. The predictable insights are beneficial for profoundly understanding the gas composition synergetic interaction for the SO₂ removal by the dry treatment using NaHCO₃.

A superior desulfurizer, fine NaHCO₃ was selected by scale-up experiments. A deep understanding of the reaction process and mechanism was explored. The effect mechanism of NO on desulfurization using NaHCO₃ was proposed by in situ FTIR results.

Interaction between SO2 and NO in their adsorption and photocatalytic conversion on TiO2

The simultaneous adsorption and photocatalytic conversion of SO₂ and NO on P25-TiO₂ were studied. In particular, the interaction of SO₂ and NO on each other's adsorption and photocatalytic oxidation was discussed. The adsorption of NO on P25 was negligible when comparing to that of SO₂, while with the coexistence of NO and SO₂ in flue gas, both the adsorption of SO₂ and NO were improved. In the presence of water and oxygen, the photocatalytic oxidation efficiency of NO with an efficiency of >69% was observed on irradiated TiO₂ surface, which lasted for at least 1000 min. Oxygen was found to have much more important effect than water on the photocatalytic oxidation of NO. In the presence of SO₂ however, the photocatalytic process of NO was largely reshaped. The whole process was controlled by the photocatalytic oxidation of SO₂. A dramatic efficiency decease (breakthrough of the catalyst bed) was observed for both NO and SO₂ due to the catalyst deactivation caused by the poisoning of SO₂ oxidation products. Before the breakthrough, the photocatalytic conversion efficiency of NO increased with increasing the SO₂ concentration, which was mainly due to the improved NO adsorption in the presence of SO₂.

TiO2-based Photocatalytic Cementitious Composites: Materials, Properties, Influential Parameters, and Assessment Techniques

Applications of heterogeneous photocatalytic processes based on semiconductor particles in cement-based materials have received great attention in recent years in enhancing the aesthetic durability of buildings and reducing global environmental pollution. Amongst all, titanium dioxide (TiO₂) is the most widely used semiconductor particle in structural materials with photocatalytic activity because of its low cost, chemically stable nature, and absence of toxicity. Utilization of TiO₂ in combination with cement-based materials would plunge the concentration of urban pollutants such as NO_x. In fact, cementitious composites containing TiO₂ have already found applications in self-cleaning buildings, antimicrobial surfaces, and air-purifying structures. This paper aims to present a comprehensive review on TiO₂-based photocatalysis cement technology, its practical applications, and research gaps for further progression of cementitious materials with photocatalytic activity.

Simultaneous removal of SO2 and NOx from flue gas by wet scrubbing using a urea solution

Nitrogen oxides (NO_x) and sulfur dioxide (SO₂) are major air pollutants, so simultaneously removing them from gases emitted during fossil fuel combustion in stationary systems is important. Wet denitrification using urea is used for a wide range of systems. Additives have strong effects on wet denitrification using urea, and different mechanisms are involved and different effects found using different additives. In this study, the effects of different additives, initial urea concentrations, reaction temperatures, initial pH values, gas flow rates, and reaction times on the simultaneous desulfurization and denitrification efficiencies achieved using wet denitrification using urea were studied in single factor experiment. The optimum reaction conditions for desulfurization and denitrification were found. Desulfurization and denitrification efficiencies of 97.5% and 96.3%, respectively, were achieved at a KMnO₄ concentration 5 mmol/L, a reaction temperature of 70°C, initial urea solution pH 8, a urea concentration of 9%, and a gas flow rate of 40 L/h. The concentrations of the desulfurization and denitrification reaction products in the solution were determined. NO_x was mainly transformed into N₂, and the NO3- and NO2- concentrations in the solution became very low. The reactions involved in SO₂ and NO_x removal using urea were analyzed from the thermodynamic viewpoint. Increasing the temperature was not conducive to the reactions but increased the rate constant, so an optimum temperature was determined. The simultaneous desulfurization and denitrification kinetics were calculated. The urea consumption and NO2- , NO3- , and SO42- generation reactions were all zero order. The NO3- generation rate was greater than the NO2- generation rate. The simultaneous desulfurization and denitrification process and mechanism were studied. The results provide reference data for performing flue gas desulfurization and denitrification in factories.

Photocatalytic removal of SO2 using natural zeolite modified by TiO2 and polyoxypropylene surfactant

Air pollution due to emission of various hazardous gases such as SO₂ into the atmosphere and its control is an important environmental issue. Application of photocatalysts is considered as a suitable process to control the gaseous pollutants. In this study, the efficiency of clinoptilolite as a natural zeolite (Ze) modified by TiO₂ (Ze-Ti) and a polymeric surfactant polyoxypropylene (Ze-Ti-POP) for removal of SO₂ was investigated. The nanocomposites were characterized by SEM, EDX, and BET analyses. The photocatalytic oxidation experiments of SO₂ by the nanocomposites and natural zeolite were done under UV irradiation with initial SO₂ concentration of 500 ppm in a photoreactor. The effects of different factors including reaction time, catalyst dose, UV irradiation intensity, humidity content, and calcination temperature and dose of TiO₂ were studied. The modification of clinoptilolite by TiO₂ and POP increased considerably the BET specific surface area of the nanocomposites. The results showed that maximum removal efficiencies of SO₂ by Ze-Ti and Ze-Ti-POP under the optimum experimental conditions were 82.1 and 87.4%, respectively. Adsorption kinetics data well fitted with the Langmuir-Hinshelwood model. Moreover, reusing of nanocomposites after three regeneration cycles indicated that application of Ze-Ti and Ze-Ti-POP nanocomposites could be a promising approach for SO₂ removal. Graphical abstract ᅟ.

Titanium oxide based photocatalytic materials development and their role of in the air pollutants degradation: Overview and forecast

Due to the anthropogenic pollution, especially the environmental crisis caused by air pollutants, the development of air pollutant degradation photocatalyst has become one of the major directions to the crisis relief. Among them, titania (titanium dioxide, TiO₂) family materials were extensively studied in the past two decades due to their strong activity in the photocatalytic reactions. However, TiO₂ had a drawback of large bandgap which limited its applications, several modification techniques were hence developed to enhance its catalytic activity and light sensitivity. In recent years, other metal oxide based materials have been developed as replacements for TiO₂ photocatalysts. In this review, background information and developments from pure TiO₂ to chemically modified TiO₂-based materials as photocatalysts were discussed in detail, which covered their basic properties and their role in the air pollutant removal. It also proposes to solve the shortcomings of TiO₂ by developing other metal oxide-based materials and predict the future development of TiO₂ materials in future environmental applications.

Effects of TiO2 based photocatalytic paint on concentrations and emissions of pollutants and on animal performance in a swine weaning unit

The beneficial effect of a TiO2-based photocatalytic treatment on the indoor air purification of a swine farm has been evaluated in a trial performed in two identical mechanically ventilated traditional weaning units, with 391 animals lodged in each of them. One unit was used as reference, whereas the walls of the second unit (260 m2) were coated with ca. 70 g m(-2) of TiO2 and irradiated with ten UV-A lamps. The environmental parameters (i.e. the ventilation rate, the internal and external temperature and relative humidity), together with NH3, CH4, CO2 and N2O concentrations in the exhaust ducts and PM10 emissions, were monitored in the two units throughout all of the production cycle (75 days). Significant decreases in CH4 concentration (ca. 27%, P < 0.05) and PM10 emission (ca. 17%, P < 0.01) were observed, together with an increase of the piglets' productive performance in the treated unit with respect to the reference one. Indeed, the ADG (Average Daily Gain of piglets) was 424 g vs. 414 g for the piglets lodged in the two units, respectively, with a significantly better feed conversion ratio (FCR, ratio between the food ingested by the animals and their weight gain) of 2.18 vs. 2.44 (P < 0.001). Therefore, the photocatalytic treatment with TiO2 coating had positive effects not only on methane concentration and particulate matter concentration and emission, but also significantly improved the feed conversion ratio of growing piglets, very likely due to the increased quality of indoor air, with positive economic repercussions for the farmer. Internal photocatalytic treatment in swine husbandry could thus be considered as a potential Best Available Technology (BAT).

Characteristics of fly ash from the dry flue gas desulfurization system for iron ore sintering plants

The characteristics of fly ash from the flue gas desulfurization (FGD) system are important for its reuse and are mainly depend on the desulfurization process. The physical and chemical properties of DSF ash, which refers to fly ash from the dry FGD system for the iron ore sintering process, were investigated. Its mineralogical contents were determined by X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetry analysis, and its micro-morphology was studied by scanning electric micrograph analysis. The results show that DSF ash has a higher CaO and SO3 content, and the main sulfur form is sulfite, with only a part of it oxidized to sulfate. The major minerals present in DSF ash are hannebachite, anhydrite, calcite and portlandite; a minor constituent is calcium chloride. The particles of DSF ash are irregular, fragmentary and small, and hannebachite grows on their surfaces. Particle size is affected by the FGD process, and the ash size from the maximized emission reduction of the sintering-FGD process is lower than that from the circulating fluidized bed-FGD process. The particle size distribution of DSF ash follows the Rosin--Rammler-Bennet equation.