Microwave induced reactions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides in char and anthracite bed

Microwaves applied to a pyrolytic carbon matrix enhance the chemical reactions of nitric oxide (NO) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) with carbon to produce nitrogen, sulfur, and carbon dioxide. These microwave-induced reactions were investigated to find the feasibility of applying microwaves to directly destroy NO and SO2 in the combustion product gases or to minimize the formation of these pollutants during combustion process. The char produced from Wyoming subbituminous coal by the FMC Coke Plant in Kemmerer, Wyoming and Korean anthracite coal are an excellent microwave absorber and were used in this investigation as pyrolytic carbon sources. A complete destruction of NO and SO2 was achieved by microwaves in both char and anthracite bed. An addition of oxygen to the inlet nitrogen stream up to 10% did not affect NO and SO2 reactions with carbon. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.