Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Sewage sludge ash as an alternative low-cost oxygen carrier for chemical looping combustion

  • Published:
Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In this paper, novel low-cost oxygen carriers containing Fe2O3 are evaluated for use in chemical looping combustion. Sewage sludge ashes and reference samples were prepared and used in cyclic reduction and oxidation experiments in a thermogravimetric analyzer (TG). A gaseous (3 % H2) fuel and a solid fuel (hard coal) were tested. Three-cycle CLC tests were carried out in the 600–800 °C temperature range and long-term testing was performed at 950 °C. A reactivity study showed that the natural sewage sludge ash sample was stable during the cycling TG tests when hydrogen was used as a fuel at all of the temperatures investigated. Strong temperature effects on the oxygen transport capacity were observed. An one-cycle test at 900 °C showed also that the sewage sludge ash successfully reacted with coal. The oxygen released was fully used for coal combustion, with appreciable reaction rate at temperature of ~750–800 °C, that is significantly lower than that obtained for pure Fe2O3-based oxygen carrier. The oxidation reaction was much faster than the reduction reaction. Moreover, the sewage sludge ash showed a low tendency toward agglomeration in the cyclic test, which was superior to the behavior of synthetic materials. The sewage sludge ash exhibited also high mechanical strength, an attrition index of 1 % and a high-temperature resistance of 1,170 °C in a reducing atmosphere. We conclude that sewage sludge ash can be effectively used as a low-cost, valuable oxygen carrier in practical application in chemical looping combustion technology for power generation.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Richter HJ, Knoche KF. Reversibility of combustion process In: Efficiency and costing second law analysis of process. ACS Symposium Series Washington DC: American Chemical Society 1983;235:71–85.

  2. Ishida M, Jin H. A Novel chemical looping combustor without NOx formation. Ind Eng Chem Res. 1996;35:2469–72.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Adanez J, Abad A, Garcia Labiano F, Gayan P, de Diego LF. Progress in chemical looping combustion and reforming technologies. Prog Energy Combust Sci. 2012;38:215–82.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Zhao H, Cao Y, Orndorff W, Pan W. Study on modification of Cu-based oxygen carrier for chemical looping combustion. J Therm Anal Calorim. 2013;113:1123–8.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Cui Y, Cao Y, Pan W. Preparation of copper-based oxygen carrier supported by titanium dioxide. J Therm Anal Calorim. 2013;114:1089–98.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Kierzkowska AM, Bohn CD, Scott SA, Cleeton JP, Dennis JS, Müller CR. Development of iron oxide carriers for chemical looping combustion using sol–gel. Ind Eng Chem Res. 2010;49:5383–91.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Siriwardane RV, Ksepko E, Tian H, Poston J, Simonyi T, Sciazko M. Interaction of iron copper mixed metal oxide oxygen carriers with simulated synthesis gas derived from steam gasification of coal. Appl Energy. 2013;107:111–23.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Zhao H, Cao Y, Kang Z, Wang Y, Pan W. Thermal characteristics of Cu-based oxygen carriers. J Therm Anal Calorim. 2012;109:1105–9.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Adanez J, Cuadrat A, Abad A, Gayan P, de Diego LF, Garcia Labiano F. Ilmenite activation during consecutive redox cycles in chemical looping combustion. Energy Fuels. 2010;24:1402–13.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Abad A, Cuadrat A, Mendiara T, García Labiano F, Gayán P, de Diego LF, Adánez J. Low cost Fe based oxygen carrier materials for the IG-CLC process with coal 2. Ind Eng Chem Res. 2012;5:16230–41.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Pröll T, Mayer K, Bolhar Nordenkampf J, Kolbitsch P, Mattisson T, Lyngfelt A, Hofbauer H. Natural mineral as oxygen carriers for chemical looping combustion in a dual circulating fluidized bed system. Energy Procedia. 2009;1:27–34.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Cui X, Zhang X, Feng Y, Wang G, Yang M, Gao H, Luo W. Effect of partial substitution of Ca in LaMnO3 on coal catalytic combustion. J Therm Anal Calorim. 2013;112:719–26.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Schwebel GL, Leion H, Krumm W. Comparison of natural ilmenites as oxygen carriers in chemical looping combustion and influence of water gas shift reaction on gas composition. Chem Eng Res Des. 2012;90:1351–60.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Rydén M, Johansson M, Cleverstam E, Lyngfelt A, Mattisson T. Ilmenite with addition of NiO as oxygen carrier for chemical looping combustion. Fuel. 2010;89:3523–33.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Azis M, Jerndal E, Leion H, Mattisson T, Lyngfelt A. On the evaluation of synthetic and natural ilmenite using syngas as fuel in chemical looping combustion (CLC). Chem Eng Res Des. 2010;88:1505–14.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. den Hoed P, Luckos A. Oxidation and reduction of iron titanium oxides in chemical looping combustion: a phase chemical description. Oil Gas Sci Technol. 2011;66:249–64.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Cuadrat A, Abad A, Adánez J, de Diego LF, García Labiano F, Gayán P. Performance of ilmenite as oxygen carrier for chemical looping combustion using coal as fuel. In: Proc 1st International Conference on Chemical Looping Lyon France March 17-19 2010.

  18. Mendiara T, Pérez R, Abad A, de Diego LF, García Labiano F, Gayán P, Adánez J. Low cost Fe based oxygen carrier materials for the iG-CLC process with coal. Ind Eng Chem Res. 2012;51:16216–29.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Leion H, Jerndal E, Steenari BM, Hermansson S, Israelsson M, Jansson E, Johnsson M, Thunberg R, Vadenbo A, Mattisson T, Lyngfelt A. Solid fuels in chemical looping combustion using oxide scale and unprocessed iron ore as oxygen carriers. Fuel. 2009;88:1945–54.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Mendiara T, Abad A, de Diego LF, García Labiano F, Gayán P, Adanez J. Use of an Fe based residue from alumina production as an oxygen carrier in chemical looping combustion. Energy Fuels. 2012;26:1420–31.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Jerndal E, Leion H, Axelsson L, Ekvall T, Hedberg M, Johansson K, Källén M, Svensson R, Mattisson T, Lyngfelt A. Using low cost iron based materials as oxygen carriers for chemical looping combustion. Oil Gas Sci Technol. 2011;66:235–48.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Xiao R, Song Q, Zhang S, Zheng W, Yang Y. Pressurized chemical looping combustion of chinese bituminous coal: cyclic performance and characterization of iron ore based oxygen carrier. Energy Fuels. 2010;24:1449–63.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Xiao R, Song Q, Song M, Lu Z, Zhang S, Shen L. Pressurized chemical looping combustion of coal with an iron ore based oxygen carrier. Combust Flame. 2010;157:1140–53.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Leion H, Mattisson T, Lyngfelt A. Use of ores and industrial products as oxygen carriers in chemical looping combustion. Energy Fuels. 2009;23:2307–15.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Rydén M, Cleverstam E, Lyngfelt A, Mattisson T. Waste products from the steel industry with NiO as additive as oxygen carrier for chemical looping combustion. Int J Greenhouse Gas Control. 2009;3:693–703.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Fossdal A, Bakken E, Oeye BA, Schoening C, Kaus I, Mokkelbost T, Larring Y. Study of inexpensive oxygen carriers for chemical looping combustion. Int J Greenhouse Gas Control. 2011;5:483–8.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Leion H, Mattisson T, Lyngfelt A. Chemical looping of solid fuels in a laboratory fluidized bed reactor. Oil Gas Sci Technol. 2011;66:201–8.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Zhang S, Saha C, Yang Y, Bhattacharya S, Xiao R. Use of Fe2O3 Containing industrial wastes as the oxygen carrier for chemical looping combustion of coal: effects of pressure and cycles. Energy Fuels. 2011;25:4357–66.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Stelmach S, Wasielewski R. Co-combustion of dried sewage sludge and coal in a pulverized coal boiler. J Mater Cycles Waste Manag. 2008;10:110–5.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Oliver MJB, Carsky M, O’Connor H. Production of a fertilizer product. US Patent No 20030121302, 2001.

  31. Alamagro G. Sewage Sludge as fire suppressant. US Patent No 20020130294, 2001.

  32. Webster WC, Hilton RG. Disposal method and use of sewage sludge. US Patent No 4028130, 1977.

  33. Mueller D. Sewage Sludge Fuel Briquette US Patent No 4615711, 1985.

  34. Amand LE, Leckenr B, Eskilsson D, Tullin C. Deposit on heat transfer tubes co-combustion of biofuels and sewage sludge. Fuel. 2006;85:1313–22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Aho M, Yrjas P, Taipale R, Hupa M, Silvennoinen J. Reduction of superheater corrosion by co-firing risky biomass with sewage sludge. Fuel. 2010;89:2376–86.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Ninomiya Y, Zhang L, Sakano T, Kanaoka C. Masui M Transformation of mineral and emission of particulate matters during co-combustion of coal with sewage sludge. Fuel. 2004;83:751–64.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Siriwardane R, Tian H, Miller D, Richards G, Simonyi T, Poston J. Evaluation of reaction mechanism of coal metal oxide interactions in chemical looping combustion. Combust Flame. 2010;157:2198–208.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Siriwardane R, Tian H, Richards G, Simonyi T, Poston J. Chemical looping combustion of coal with metal oxide oxygen carriers. Energy Fuels. 2009;23:3885–92.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The work was partially founded by Polish Ministry of Higher Educational and Science, Contract Number 5/PMPP/U/1–09.10/E–134/2011. The author thanks to J. Figa for technical assistance during sample preparation and Dr. G. Łabojko for TG measurements assistance.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Chemical Processing of Coal, 1 Zamkowa, 41-803, Zabrze, Poland

    Ewelina Ksepko

Authors
  1. Ewelina Ksepko
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ewelina Ksepko.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ksepko, E. Sewage sludge ash as an alternative low-cost oxygen carrier for chemical looping combustion. J Therm Anal Calorim 116, 1395–1407 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-013-3564-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-013-3564-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation