Effect of particle agglomeration on heavy metals adsorption by Al- and Ca-based sorbents during fluidized bed incineration

Al- and Ca-based materials can serve as metal sorbents or agglomeration inhibitors in fluidized beds. Although particle agglomeration could affect the adsorption efficiency of metal sorbents, Al- and Ca-based materials have been found to inhibit the particle agglomeration phenomenon during the incineration process. Accordingly, this study emphasizes the effect of particle agglomeration on heavy metal adsorption by Al- and Ca-based sorbents in a fluidized bed. The results show that Al- and Ca-based sorbents inhibit the tendency of particle agglomeration caused by Na. Thus, high concentrations of heavy metals exist mainly in fine particles compared to those present in the large particles when Na is added to the system. However, the addition of Na apparently increased the adsorption efficiency and followed the sequence of Cr > Cd > Pb with an increase in the operating temperature. A comparison of sorbents and Na additive for the relative enrichment factor showed that Na plays an important role in capturing Cr with Al- and Ca-based sorbents. Also, both sorbent adsorption and Na agglomeration are the dominant mechanisms for capturing Cd. The results of adding Na and an Al-based sorbent presented positive effects for Pb adsorption; however, a negative effect was observed with the addition of Na and a Ca-based sorbent at low temperatures.

Research highlights
► Al- and Ca-based sorbents inhibit the tendency of particle agglomeration caused by Na.
► The addition of Na increased the adsorption efficiency and followed the sequence of Cr > Cd > Pb.
► Na plays an important role in capturing Cr with Al- and Ca-based sorbents.
► The results of adding Na and an Al-based sorbent presented positive effect for Pb adsorption.