Removal of SO2 from O2-containing flue gas by activated carbon fiber (ACF) impregnated with NH3

Adsorption of SO2 from the O2-containing flue gas by granular activated carbons (GACs) and activated carbon fibers (ACFs) impregnated with NH3 was studied in this technical note. Experimental results showed that the ACFs were high-quality adsorbents due to their unique textural properties. In the presence of moisture, the desulphurization efficiency for the ACFs was improved significantly due to the formation of sulfuric acid. After NH3 impregnation of ACF samples, nitrogen-containing functional groups (pyridyl C5H4N– and pyrrolyl C4H4N–) were detected on the sample surface by using an X-ray photoelectron spectrometer. These functional groups accounted for the enhanced SO2 adsorption via chemisorption and/or catalytic oxidization.