Adsorption of SO2 and NO from incineration flue gas onto activated carbon fibers

Activated carbon fibers (ACFs) were used to remove SO(2) and NO from incineration flue gas. Three types of ACFs in their origin state and after pretreatment with HNO(3), NaOH, and KOH were investigated. The removal efficiencies of SO(2) and NO were determined experimentally at defined SO(2) and NO concentrations and at temperatures of 150, 200 and 260 degrees C. Experimental results indicated that the removal efficiencies of SO(2) and NO using the original ACFs were <56% and <27%, respectively. All ACFs modified with HNO(3), NaOH, and KOH solution could increase the removal efficiencies of SO(2) and NO. The mesopore volumes and functional groups of ACFs are important in determining the removal of SO(2) and NO. When the mesopore volumes of the ACFs are insufficient for removing SO(2) and NO, the functional groups on the ACFs are not important in determining the removal of SO(2) and NO. On the contrary, the effects of the functional groups on the removal of SO(2) and NO are more important than the mesopore volumes as the amount of mesopores on the ACFs is sufficient to remove SO(2) and NO. Moreover, the removal efficiencies of SO(2) and NO were greatest at 200 degrees C. When the inlet concentration of SO(2) increased to 600ppm, the removal efficiency of SO(2) increased slightly and the removal efficiency of NO decreased.