Pilot experimental study on pollutant emission characteristics from co-combustion of coal and spent cathode carbon block

Spent cathode carbon block (SCCB) is a hazardous waste produced by the electrolytic aluminum industry. Collaborative treatment of the SCCB in pulverized coal boilers is a potentially valuable technology. Pilot experiments were carried out on a 240 t/h pulverized coal boiler and its supporting flue gas treatment measures as a function of the mixing ratio of SCCB to verify the feasibility of coal collaborative disposal of SCCB. The thermal conversion characteristics of fluoride after mixing SCCB with coal were studied. A continuous emission moni-toring system was used to monitor the impact on SO2, NOx and particulate matter in real time. The effectiveness of existing flue gas control measures was evaluated, and optimization suggestions of the flue gas control mea-sures were postulated. The content of heavy metals (Hg, Cd, Ni, Pb, As, Se) in solid waste from co-combustion and the physical phase of solid waste were investigated. In addition, the transformation of heavy metals such as Hg, Cd, Ni, Pb, Cr, As and fluoride in defluorination wastewater during flue gas treatment were analyzed. The results show that it is feasible to use a pulverized coal boiler to dispose SCCB. The existing flue gas treatment measures proved to be appropriate, and desulfurization wastewater can achieve the discharge standards. Defluorination gypsum, fly ash and slag are not hazardous waste. When the mixing ratio of SCCB is increased, the existing neutralization and flocculation precipitation processes of the desulfurization wastewater are affected. It is suggested to add Al2O3 for the defluorination process before the desulfurization tower.

Automated summary

This study investigated the feasibility of using a pulverized coal boiler for the disposal of SCCB, and evaluated the effectiveness of existing flue gas control measures, with optimization suggestions. The content and physical phase of heavy metals in co-combustion solid waste, as well as the transformation of heavy metals and fluoride in defluorination wastewater during flue gas treatment, were analyzed. The results showed that using a pulverized coal boiler for SCCB disposal is feasible, and the existing flue gas treatment measures are appropriate.