Onsite Research
Sorbent and Catalyst Preparation Facilities
NETL researchers are seeking technical solutions to pressing problems related
to fossil fuel extraction, processing, and utilization. To this end, laboratory-scale
facilities are used to prepare, test, and analyze sorbents and catalysts used
in fixed-, moving-, and fluid-bed reactors — three types of reactors often
used in advanced fossil-fueled power plants. Equipment in these facilities
is also available for standard American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)
attrition tests, crush measurements, and particle size analysis to confirm
the suitability of the sorbents and catalysts for their intended applications.
NETL researchers use these facilities in conjunction with facilities for sorbent/catalyst
bench-scale testing and for in-situ (in-place) reaction studies.
In 2000, NETL received an R&D 100 Award for its RSV-1 Regenerable Desulfurization
Sorbent. The process for preparation of this sorbent has been patented, licensed,
and published.
NETL has the following equipment and diagnostic resources to support these
efforts.
Mixer Pelletizer
- Mixing of different solid powders
- Agglomeration of solid materials for the preparation of pellets with 1–6
mm diameter, suitable for fixed-bed reactor tests
- 2 kg batch production
Rotary Vacuum Evaporator
- Wet impregnation of porous substrates
- Batch production up to 1 kg
- Particle size up to 1 cm in diameter
Lab-Scale Spray Dryer
- Semi-continuous production up to 0.5 kg
- Particle sizes range from 40 microns to 100 microns in diameter
- Suitable for transport-/fluid-bed reactor applications
Dome Extruder
- Continuous production up to 7 kg
- Particle sizes range from 0.5 mm to 5 mm in diameter
- Extrudates suitable for fixed-bed reactor applications
Particle Spheronizer/Marumerizer
- Semi-continuous production up to 7 kg
- Particle sizes range from 0.5 mm to 6 mm in diameter
- Transforms pellets into spherical shape
Attrition Tester for Materials Suitable for Fluid-Bed/Transport Reactor Applications
- Standard Test Method for Determination of Attrition and Abrasion of Powdered
Catalysts by Air Jets – ASTM D 5757-95
- Suitable for particles with sizes less than 500 microns
Attrition Tester for Materials Suitable for Moving-/Fixed-Bed Reactor
Applications
- Standard Test Method for Attrition and Abrasion of Catalysts and Catalyst
Carriers – ASTM D 4058-92
- Suitable for particles sizes greater than 1 mm
Crush Strength Measurements
- Measurement of force necessary to break pellets using a push-pull gauge
- Suitable for mechanical strength measurements for materials used in fixed-/moving-bed
reactor applications
Particle Size Analysis
- ASTM sieves for particles larger than 300 microns
- Coulter counter for water insoluble particles smaller than 300 microns
- API aerosizer for water soluble particles smaller than 300 microns
Patents, Licenses, and Publications
For more information contact: Ranjani
Siriwardane
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