Effect of catalysts in the quality of syngas and by-products obtained by co-gasification of coal and wastes. 2: Heavy metals, sulphur and halogen compounds abatement

This paper analyses the formation of sulphur and halogens compounds during co-gasification of low grade coals with different types of wastes that include: pine, petcoke and polyethylene (PE) with the aim of taking profit of waste energy value with the smallest possible impact on the environment. The influence of different types of catalysts or sorbents was studied: calcined dolomite, dolomite enriched with nickel, olivine, nickel and magnesium oxides, zinc oxide and cobalt and molybdenum oxides. The presence of dolomite led to the lowest HCl, HF and H2S concentrations in the syngas produced. ZnO also gave rise to significant decrease in H2S concentration, though higher concentrations were obtained than those with dolomite. It was found that when catalysts or sorbents were used, a significant fraction of sulphur, halogens and heavy metals were trapped in the solid residue left behind in the bed and cyclone. Higher temperatures increased the volatility of some metals and sulphur. Leachability assays of solids showed that small quantities of SO42- and Cl− could be released and most metals were not leachable, although the use of dolomite slightly increased metals leachability, because of the higher alkaline nature of residual solids produced.