Performance of transition metal (Cu, Fe and Co) modified SCR catalysts for simultaneous removal of NO and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from coal-fired power plant flue gas

Emissions of NO and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in China are growing rapidly, thus it is necessary to develop a catalyst that can simultaneously remove them. In this study, a series of new V-W/Ti SCR catalysts modified by Cu, Fe and Co were prepared by wet impregnation method, which was used to simultaneously remove NO and typical VOCs (benzene and toluene) from coal-fired power plant flue gas. The catalyst activity evaluation was studied in selective catalytic reduction temperature window (260 degrees C, 300 degrees C, 340 degrees C, 380 degrees C and 420 degrees C) by a self-built device. Simulated flue gas was composed of 100 ppm benzene, 100 ppm toluene, 500 ppm NO, 1000 ppm SO2, 500 ppm NH3, 3.33% O-2, and balanced N-2, whose total flow was 750 mL/min. Characterization techniques such as SEM-EDS, XRD, XPS, and NH3-TPD were used to analyze the effect of Cu, Fe and Co loading on the catalyst's surface properties, physical structure, valence, and acid site, which further explained the removal efficiency result. The experimental results indicated that Cu0.1-V-W/Ti had the best denitration performance at low temperature and reached a maximum NO removal rate of 86.4% at 340 degrees C. All prepared catalysts had over 90% benzene removal and over 95% toluene removal rate. Cu0.1-V-W/Ti shows certain SO2 tolerance and has the potential to be used for simultaneous removal of NO and VOCs at SCR area of coal-fired power plants without extra capital cost.