MICROWAVE-INDUCED REACTIONS OF SO2 AND NOX DECOMPOSITION IN THE CHAR-BED

Microwaves applied to a pyrolytic carbon matrix enhance the chemical reactions of SO2 and NOx decomposition. The SO2 and NOx in a coal combustor product gas are adsorbed in a char bed and decomposed by the microwave to elemental sulfur and nitrogen, respectively. High removal rates of SO2 and NOx - near 98% - were observed in the laboratory tests. The activated carbon used as an adsorbent is also produced inexpensively in the electromagnetic field from coal pyrolysis. During the 21-cycle adsorption and decomposition experiments, the surface area of the bed carbon was increased from 7 m(2)/g to 700 m(2)/g. Process concept testing and economic evaluation will be completed in the U.S. Department of Energy, SBIR Phase II Program under Contract Number DE-FG03-90ER80898. This program is also supported in part by the National Science Foundation under Grant Number EHR-910-8774. The paper presents the laboratory test results obtained to date.