An Extended Self-Organizing Map Network for Modeling and Control of Pulse Jet Fabric Filters

ABSTRACT

Pulse jet fabric filters (PJFFs) have become an attractive option of particulate collection utilities, because they can meet stringent particulate emission limits regardless of variation in operating conditions. Despite their wide applications, the present control algorithm for PJFFs can best be described as rudimentary. In this paper, a modeling and control strategy based on the local model network (LMN) is proposed. An extended self-organizing map (ESOM) network is developed to construct the LMN model of the filtration process using the filter's input-output data. Subsequently, these ESOM local models are incorporated into the design of local generalized predictive controllers (GPC), and the proposed controller design is obtained as the weighted sum of these local controllers. Simulation results show that the proposed controller design yields a better performance than both conventional GPC and proportional plus integral (PI) controllers yield.     

Predicting Pressure Loss for Pulse Jet Filters

The analysis of pressure loss characteristics for pulse jet filters suggests that the relationship between dust adhesion to the fabric and the opposing force generated by pulse jet action plays a major role in dust removal. Hence, fabric cleanability is examined in terms of the adhesion-cohesion forces bonding the dust to the fabric vs. the intensity and frequency of the dust dislodgement forces produced by the high energy air pulses. The effect of jet size and location, jet air volume, and the intensity (pressure) and duration of the jet pulses is related to operating pressure loss.

The mechanics of energy transfer from the jet pulse to the dustladen fabric are explored in terms of jet pressure, solenoid valve action, the ratio of delivered pulse air volume to bag (tube) volume, and the elastic and flex properties of the felt bags. Effective and actual fabric dust holdings before and after cleaning are discussed with respect to steady-state dust deposition and removal rates, and operating pressure losses. Finally, predictive equations are proposed for estimating pressure loss over a broad range of design and operating parameters.     

A Model for Pulse Jet Fabric Filters

ABSTRACT

A new model for pulse jet fabric filtration is proposed. In contrast to the earlier model of Ravin and Humphries,¹ which was formulated on the steady state assumption, the present study is aimed at developing a predictive capability for both transient and steady state operations, taking into account the compression effect of filter cakes. The model's relative simplicity allows frequent updating of the model parameter values, thus improving the accuracy of predictions. As a result, the model is particularly useful in developing control algorithms and designing controllers of pulse jet fabric filtration systems.     

Real-Time Measurements of Jet Aircraft Engine Exhaust

Abstract

Particulate-phase exhaust properties from two different types of ground-based jet aircraft engines—high-thrust and turboshaft—were studied with real-time instruments on a portable pallet and additional time-integrated sampling devices. The real-time instruments successfully characterized rapidly changing particulate mass, light absorption, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) content. The integrated measurements included particulate-size distributions, PAH, and carbon concentrations for an entire test run (i.e., “run-integrated” measurements). In all cases, the particle-size distributions showed single modes peaking at 20–40nm diameter. Measurements of exhaust from high-thrust F404 engines showed relatively low-light absorption compared with exhaust from a turboshaft engine. Particulate-phase PAH measurements generally varied in phase with both net particulate mass and with light-absorbing particulate concentrations. Unexplained response behavior sometimes occurred with the real-time PAH analyzer, although on average the real-time and integrated PAH methods agreed within the same order of magnitude found in earlier investigations.     

Evaluation of the Potential of Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy for Detection of Trace Element in Liquid

Abstract

The analytical figure of merit of the potential of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) has been evaluated for detection of trace element in liquid. LIBS data of Mg, Cr, Mn, and Re were studied. Various optical geometries, which produce the laser spark in and at the liquid sample, were tested. The calibration curves for Mg, Cr, Mn, and Re were obtained at the optimized experimental conditions with bulk liquid and in liquid jet. It was found that measurements using a liquid jet provide better detection limits than bulk liquid measurements. The limits of detection (LOD) of Mg, Cr, Mn, and Re in the present liquid jet measurement are found to be 0.1, 0.4, 0.7, and 8 ppm, respectively. The LOD of Mg using Mg 279.55 nm was compared with the values found in other liquid work.     

Computational fluid dynamics modeling of laboratory flames and an industrial flare

A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) methodology for simulating the combustion process has been validated with experimental results. Three different types of experimental setups were used to validate the CFD model. These setups include an industrial-scale flare setups and two lab-scale flames. The CFD study also involved three different fuels: C₃H₆/CH₄/Air/N₂, C₂H₄/O₂/Ar, and CH₄/Air. In the first setup, flare efficiency data from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) 2010 field tests were used to validate the CFD model. In the second setup, a McKenna burner with flat flames was simulated. Temperature and mass fractions of important species were compared with the experimental data. Finally, results of an experimental study done at Sandia National Laboratories to generate a lifted jet flame were used for the purpose of validation. The reduced 50 species mechanism, LU 1.1, the realizable k-? turbulence model, and the EDC turbulence–chemistry interaction model were used for this work. Flare efficiency, axial profiles of temperature, and mass fractions of various intermediate species obtained in the simulation were compared with experimental data and a good agreement between the profiles was clearly observed. In particular, the simulation match with the TCEQ 2010 flare tests has been significantly improved (within 5% of the data) compared to the results reported by Singh et al. in 2012. Validation of the speciated flat flame data supports the view that flares can be a primary source of formaldehyde emission.

ImplicationsValidated computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models can be a useful tool to predict destruction and removal efficiency (DRE) and combustion efficiency (CE) under steam/air assist conditions in the face of many other flare operating variables such as fuel composition, exit jet velocity, and crosswind. Augmented with rigorous combustion chemistry, CFD is also a powerful tool to predict flare emissions such as formaldehyde. In fact, this study implicates flares emissions as a primary source of formaldehyde emissions. The rigorous CFD simulations, together with available controlled flare test data, can be fitted into simple response surface models for quick engineering use.     

Carbon Monoxide Levels in Athletes during Exercise in an Urban Environment

ABSTRACT

Gas phase concentrations of individual polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were measured in real time in combustion products from a co-flow diffusion flame using laser photoionization (LP) time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOF/MS). In particular, a naphthalene detection sensitivity of 4 parts per billion (ppb) was demonstrated. The use of calibration mixtures with argon indicated the feasibility of naphthalene detection at about 45 parts per trillion (ppt) at a signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio of 20. This suggests the possibility of low-ppt level detection at a S/N of 1. The novelty of the system is the use of a heated sampling probe and a continuously purged, heated-pulse valve that was positioned close to the ionization zone, thereby allowing the generation of photoions in the high-density region of the sample jet, where concentrations of PAH are high. Because the system developed allows for the real time detection of select species, it represents a useful tool in continuous emissions monitoring (CEM) for environmental compliance as well as direct process control.     

Droplet trajectories and deposition with an airblast forestry sprayer

Abstract

The characteristics of the air pattern and spray droplet trajectories from the Algonquin airblast forestry sprayer were investigated. An experiment with water and Rhodamine tracer dye was conducted in a shelterwood location to evaluate droplet deposition on Kromekote^® card targets above and within a canopy of poplar saplings. Computer simulation of a free jet was used to model the airblast in order to investigate droplet trajectories. Measured deposits indicated that the effective swath width is 14 m from the blower outlet. Mean simulated droplet trajectory data were in good agreement with the droplet density data observed in the field. Both sets of results predicted a very low level of spray deposition beyond 14 m.     

Influence of Operating Conditions on the Formation of Heavy Metal Compounds During Incineration

ABSTRACT

The formation of Cr, Pb, and Cd species under various operating conditions in a pilot-scale fluidized-bed incinerator was investigated. Examined were the effects of (1) an organic chloride (PVC) additive, (2) an inorganic chloride (NaCl) additive, and (3) NaNO₃ and PVC additives,

under various operating temperatures. Two-stage modeling was performed to match the actual incineration conditions of the current study.

Thermodynamic equilibrium analysis indicated that Cr₂O₃, PbCl₂, and CdCl₂ were the dominant species of Cr, Pb, and Cd when an organic chloride (PVC) was present, whereas PbO and CdO were the dominant species under the other operating conditions. The XRD analysis identified Cr₂O₃, PbCl₂, and CdCl₂»H₂O as the dominant species of Cr, Pb, and Cd when an organic chloride (PVC) was present, whereas Cr₂O₃, PbO, Pb₂O₃, CdO, and CdCO₃ were identified under the other operating conditions. The sodium contained in the feedstock was shown to react with chlorine to form sodium chloride both in modeling results and by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The temperature of the operating conditions had little effect on the formation of heavy metal species.     

On the forming mechanism of the cleaning airflow of pulse-jet fabric filters

To reveal the formation mechanism of a pulse-jet airflow’s cleaning effect in a filter bag, a theoretical model is built by using the theory of the gas jet and unitary adiabatic flow according to given specifications and dimensions of the bags and resistance characteristics of the cloth and dust layer. It is about the relationship between cleaning system structure and operating parameters. The model follows the principle that the flow and kinetic energy of jet flow injected into a filter bag should be consistent with the flow of cleaning airflow in the bag and the pressure drop flowing through the filter cloth and dust layer. The purpose of the model is to achieve the peak pressure of cleaning airflow, which dominates the effect of the pulse-jet cleaning process. The cleaning system structure includes air pressure in the nozzle, structure and size of nozzle, exit velocity of nozzle, jet distance, and diameter of jet cross section. Based on the condition of the cleaning system structure and operating parameters established by using the theoretical model, Fluent software is applied to carry out a numerical simulation of the jet airflow field at the nozzle’s outlet, jet airflow field between nozzle and bag top, and cleaning airflow field in the filter bag. Experimental results are used to verify the reliability of the theoretical model. They are obtained in a pilot-scale test filter with a single bag, with length 2 m and in general full-scale dimensions of the cleaning system. The results show that when any rectification measure is not installed at the bag opening, the cross-sectional area covered by the jet gas is hardly sufficient to cover the entire area of the bag opening. A large portion of the gases injected into the filter bag will overflow reversely upward from the edge due to pressure differences between the upper area and lower area inside the bag opening. This led to a serious shortage of the cleaning airflow and ar limited increase in static pressure. When a venturi-type rectifier tube is installed at the bag opening, the jet flow is converted to funnel flow for which the cross-section velocity distribution is more uniform at the throat of the rectifier tube due to the guided effects of the upper tapered pipe. Then it is transited to stressful flow below the bag opening via rectified effects of the lower dilated pipe. The results show that the gap between the static pressure of gas in the bag and the expected value is significantly reduced. The theoretical value of the nozzle diameter is enlarged to compensate for two aspects of adverse effects of cleaning airflow and energy. This is because the flow is not a purely free-form jet from the nozzle to the entrance of the rectifier tube and because the gas suffers from local resistance while flowing through the rectifier tube. The numerical simulation and experiment show that the peak pressure of cleaning airflow in the filter bag is able to reach the expected value. The results confirm that the mechanism of the pulse-jet cleaning airflow and the calculation method of the pulse-jet cleaning system structure and operating parameters offered in this study are correct. The study results provide a scientific basis for designing the system of pulse-jet fabric filters.

Implications: Pulse-jet cleaned fabric filters are commonly used for air pollution control in many industries. Pulse-jet cleaning is widely used for this purpose as it enables frequent cleaning while the filter is operating. However, the theoretical system of the forming mechanism of the pulse-jet cleaning has not formed so far. This indicates the theoretical model plays an important role in designing effective pulse-jet cleaned fabric filters.     

Predicting Extents of Mercury Oxidation in Coal-Derived Flue Gases

Abstract

The proposed mercury (Hg) oxidation mechanism consists of a 168-step gas phase mechanism that accounts for interaction among all important flue gas species and a heterogeneous oxidation mechanism on unburned carbon (UBC) particles, similar to established chemistry for dioxin production under comparable conditions. The mechanism was incorporated into a gas cleaning system simulator to predict the proportions of elemental and oxidized Hg species in the flue gases, given relevant coal properties (C/H/O/N/S/Cl/Hg), flue gas composition (O₂, H₂O, HCl), emissions (NO_X, SO_X, CO), the recovery of fly ash, fly ash loss-on-ignition (LOI), and a thermal history. Predictions are validated without parameter adjustments against datasets from lab-scale and from pilot-scale coal furnaces at 1 and 29 MW_t. Collectively, the evaluations cover 16 coals representing ranks from sub-bituminous through high-volatile bituminous, including cases with Cl₂ and CaCl₂ injection. The predictions are, therefore, validated over virtually the entire domain of Cl-species concentrations and UBC levels of commercial interest. Additional predictions identify the most important operating conditions in the furnace and gas cleaning system, including stoichiometric ratio, NO_X, LOI, and residence time, as well as the most important coal properties, including coal-Cl.     

Impact of Free Calcium Oxide Content of Fly Ash on Dust and Sulfur Dioxide Emissions in a Lignite-Fired Power Plant

Abstract

Emitted pollutants from the Agios Dimitrios lignite-fired power plant in northern Greece show a very strong linear correlation with the free calcium oxide content of the lignite ash. Dust (fly ash) emissions are positively correlated to free calcium oxide content, whereas sulfur dioxide (SO₂) emissions are negatively correlated. As a result, at present, the Agios Dimitrios Power Plant operates very strictly within the legislative limits on atmospheric particulate emission. In the present study, the factors to be considered in assessing the impact of lignite combustion on the environment are presented and evaluated statistically. The ash appears to have a remarkable SO₂ natural dry scrubbing capability when the free calcium oxide content ranges between 4 and 7%. Precipitator operating problems attributable to high ash resistivity can be overcome by injecting sulfur trioxide to reduce the ash resistivity, with, of course, a probable increase in operating costs.     

Removal of PCDD/F from Incinerator Flue Gases by Entrained-Phase Adsorption

Abstract

The emission abatement of polychlorinated dioxins and furans (PCDD/F) issued from municipal solid waste incineration is growing in importance because of more stringent emission standards and general concern about their toxic characteristics. These substances cannot be separated by conventional gas cleanup processes but are successfully removed through adsorption onto carbonaceous materials. The simplest technique is the entrained-phase injection of pulverized adsorbents in the flue gas, followed by fabric filter separation. The various related techniques are briefly reviewed here. Operating conditions and results obtained from Flemish MSWIs are given. The results illustrate the excellent overall removal efficiency. Furans are adsorbed to a slightly higher extent than dioxins.

PCDD/F removal by carbonaceous adsorbents is thereafter modeled from first principles for the contribution of both entrained-phase (η₁) and cake filtration (η₂) to the overall efficiency (η_T). Application of the model equations and comparison of measured and predicted overall efficiencies for the Flemish municipal solid waste incinerators (MSWIs) demonstrate that the approach is meaningful and that the dominant parameters are the operating temperature, the dosage and activity of adsorbent, and the fraction of adsorbent in the filter cake. The model equations enable the MSWI operators to predict the adsorption efficiencies for any combination of operating parameters and to assess the sensitivity of the process to varying operating conditions.     

VOC Recovery through Microwave Regeneration of Adsorbents: Comparative Economic Feasibility Studies

ABSTRACT

Microwave regeneration of adsorbents facilitates the recovery of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by decoupling the bed heating from the stripping gas. This makes possible the creation of a highly-concentrated regeneration effluent from which the VOCs can be recovered by condensation at near-ambient temperatures. The economic feasibility of two novel microwave-regenerated adsorption systems was evaluated by systematically comparing the capital and operating costs of the proposed systems with 10 conventional VOC control technologies. The microwave systems were found to have similar capital and operating costs to conventional steam regeneration systems and, therefore, may present an attractive alternative for recovering water-miscible solvents. In general, the cost of the microwave subsystem is a relatively small component of the overall system costs, and the microwave power requirements are within the range of commercially available generators, even for large emission streams.     

Deep bed filtration of anaerobic cattle manure effluents with natural zeolite

Abstract

This study was carried out in a pilot plant for the treatment of anaerobic cattle manure waste. The pilot plant consisted of a semicontinous anaerobic reactor, a settling tank, a filtration process and an ionic exchange column. The study was focused on the filtration process, with natural zeolite as filtering material. In the filtration process different media sizes of natural zeolites packed in columns were tested. The ranges of media size were 0.4 ‐ 1.0, 1.0 ‐ 3.0 and 3.0 ‐ 5.0 mm. Filtration systems operated by gravity flow from 2 to 10 m³m^‐2h^‐1. The process control was done by assays of solids, turbidity, total and soluble COD, ammonium and orthophosphate. The results showed a better behaviour in the filters packed with a media size range between 1.0 and 3.0 mm, operating at 7 m³m^‐2h^‐1, principally when effluent gross particles were previously retained in an Heterogeneous Media Filter, operating at 4 m³m^‐2h^‐1. The head losses diagrams in the filter runs were obtained, at each operational conditions. The hydraulic behaviour of traditional silica sand and natural zeolite beds were compared at the same operational conditions.     

Status and Future of Baghouses in the Utility Industry

Abstract

The cumulative years of service of baghouses in the electric utility industry have doubled since the last industrywide review of their operating performance. We have gathered information from all 102 operating baghouses to develop an updated record of how this technology continues to serve the electric utility industry. In general, baghouse performance has met or exceeded the expectations for controlling emissions. There are, however, wide ranges of pressure drop and bag life performance. Most operators report a long-term trend of increasing pressure drop. The life expectancy of filter bags averages 7.5 years, with more than 20% of the population achieving more than 10 years of bag life. Factors such as coal and ash properties certainly affect baghouse operation, but another reason for variations in bag life is the lack of an optimized protocol for controlling the long-term buildup of residual dustcake. We conclude that many baghouses could operate with lower pressure drop and longer bag life by optimizing the cleaning system. Dustcake weight or drag are better indicators of performance than pressure drop and should be used to develop an optimum baghouse operating protocol.     

Aircraft Release of Sulfur Hexafluoride as an Atmospheric Tracer

Abstract

The effect of temperature on polyvinylchloride (PVC) combustion using a downstream tubular furnace was investigated for the formation of polycylcic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and chlorinated compounds. As the temperature increased, higher levels of PAHs were generated. Chlorinated compounds reached a peak at 600°C, with low emissions recorded at 300 and 900°C. There was a close correlation (R² = 0.97) among polychlorinated bi-phenyls (PCBs), hexachlorobenzene, pentachloroben-zene, and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and poly-chlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs). PAHs at all temperatures were analyzed in the gas phase. PCDD/Fs and PCBs were emitted as a solid phase at 300 and 600°C and as a gas phase at 900°C. For some PAHs, chloroben-zenes, and PCDD/Fs, a mathematical equation between the gas and solid phase and the reciprocal temperature in semilog proportion was derived. The proposed equation, which is log (amount in gas phase/amount in solid phase) = ?A/T + B, where T is the temperature of the furnace and A and B are constants, for these species relating their gas/solid distributions showed a good relationship.     

Biodegradation of fatty acylamino acids by fusarium culmorum

Abstract

Biodegradation of the fatty acylamino acids by Fusarium culmorum, measured in terms of the release of radioactive aspartate and lysine, occurred maximally at pH 6.5 and pH 7.0, respectively in 10 day cultures. Thirty‐six percent and twenty‐four percent of the total radioactivity recovered were in released aspartate and lysine, respectivley at 30°C. Twenty degrees (C) was the minimum temperature for biodegradation of these compounds by F. culmorum. Greater degradation was observed at 15°C and 30°C. The data suggest the activity of hydrolytic isoenzymes, with optima at different pH's and temperatures, operating in the biodegradation process.     

Air impacts from three alternatives for producing JP-8 jet fuel

To increase U.S. petroleum energy independence, the University of Texas at Arlington (UT Arlington) has developed a direct coal liquefaction process which uses a hydrogenated solvent and a proprietary catalyst to convert lignite coal to crude oil. This sweet crude can be refined to form JP-8 military jet fuel, as well as other end products like gasoline and diesel. This paper presents an analysis of air pollutants resulting from using UT Arlington's liquefaction process to produce crude and then JP-8, compared with 2 alternative processes: conventional crude extraction and refining (CCER), and the Fischer-Tropsch process. For each of the 3 processes, air pollutant emissions through production of JP-8 fuel were considered, including emissions from upstream extraction/production, transportation, and conversion/refining. Air pollutants from the direct liquefaction process were measured using a LandTEC GEM2000 Plus, Draeger color detector tubes, OhioLumex RA-915 Light Hg Analyzer, and SRI 8610 gas chromatograph with thermal conductivity detector.

According to the screening analysis presented here, producing jet fuel from UT Arlington crude results in lower levels of pollutants compared to international conventional crude extraction/refining. Compared to US domestic CCER, the UTA process emits lower levels of CO₂-e, NOx, and Hg, and higher levels of CO and SO₂. Emissions from the UT Arlington process for producing JP-8 are estimated to be lower than for the Fischer-Tropsch process for all pollutants, with the exception of CO₂-e, which were high for the UT Arlington process due to nitrous oxide emissions from crude refining. When comparing emissions from conventional lignite combustion to produce electricity, versus UT Arlington coal liquefaction to make JP-8 and subsequent JP-8 transport, emissions from the UT Arlington process are estimated to be lower for all air pollutants, per MJ of power delivered to the end user.

Implications: The United States currently imports two-thirds of its crude oil, leaving its transportation system especially vulnerable to disruptions in international crude supplies. At current use rates, U.S. coal reserves (262 billion short tons, including 23 billion short tons lignite) would last 236 years. Accordingly, the University of Texas at Arlington (UT Arlington) has developed a process that converts lignite to crude oil, at about half the cost of regular crude. According to the screening analysis presented here, producing jet fuel from UT Arlington crude generates lower levels of pollutants compared to international conventional crude extraction/refining (CCER).     

U. S. EPA Views as “Unwarranted” Federal Regulatory Involvement in Odor Control

ABSTRACT

Although there have been several studies examining emissions of criteria pollutants from in-use alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs), little is known about emissions of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) from these vehicles. This paper explores HAP tailpipe emissions from a variety of AFVs operating in the federal government fleet and compares these emissions to emissions from identical vehicles operating on reformulated gasoline. Emissions estimates are presented for a variety of fuel/model combinations and on four HAPs (acetaldehyde, 1,3-butadi-ene, benzene, and formaldehyde). The results indicate that all AFVs tested offer reduced emissions of HAPs, with the following exceptions: ethanol fueled vehicles emit more acetaldehyde than RFG vehicles, and ethanol- and methanol-fueled vehicles emit more formaldehyde than RFG vehicles. The results from this paper can lead to more accurate emissions factors for HAPs, thus improving HAP inventory and associated risk estimates for both AFVs and conventional vehicles.