Fabrication Challenges in Synthesizing Porous Ceramic Membrane to Effective Flue Gas Treatment

Abstract

Global warming is a serious concern worldwide, while there are many contributors to rise the temperature of earth. One major source to it, is air pollution. It is of utmost importance to apply the necessary remedial actions to address the contaminants in outdoor and indoor environment. In this research a step is taken to treat flue gases, for which membrane technology is introduced. A porous ceramic membrane is synthesized from calcined porous alumina (Al2O3) and activated washed fly ash. Some other additives like starch (C6H10O5) n, binder solution along with ethyl silicate (C8H2O4Si) and a deflocculating agent carbonic acid (H2CO3), are employed. Alongside it, some of the issues are discussed which are faced during fabrication of porous ceramic membrane i.e., crakes in membrane sample, non-active reactants issue, un-even rise or fall during de-moisturization or sintering steps. Further, the membrane sample is characterized through different test including: Further, the membrane sample is characterized through different test including thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and DTG, which shown a satisfactory results, as there is negligible percentage weight loss after 750°C. X-ray fluorescence (XRF) for fly ash portrayal and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis for structure assessing are conducted, which described that the fabricated membrane has a crystalline structure as like ceramic. Archimedes Principal technique is used to determine bulk density, and porosity of the membrane sample, the values are 4.484 g/cm3, and 62.5% respectively. Average pore size of 7.6 µm is find out through optical microscopy test, similarly mechanical strength is found to be 2.7 MPa. Furthermore, a pilot scale visual permeability test is performed for flue gases treatment of combusting fuel containing tyre and coal powder. The results show the compatibility of the fabricated porous ceramic membrane to be utilized for treatment of flue gases.

Keywords

• Air pollution
• Ceramic membrane technology
• Fly ash
• pore size and porosity
• thermal stability