Combustion of C and C PFAS: Kinetic modeling and experiments.

A combustion model, originally developed to simulate the destruction of chemical warfare agents, was modified to include C-C fluorinated organic reactions and kinetics compiled by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). A simplified plug flow reactor version of this model was used to predict the destruction efficiency (DE) and formation of products of incomplete combustion (PICs) for three C and C per- and poly-fluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) (CF, CHF, and CF) and compare predicted values to Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR)-based measurements made from a pilot-scale EPA research combustor (40-64 kW, natural gas-fired, 20% excess air). PFAS were introduced through the flame, and at post-flame locations along a time-temperature profile allowing for simulation of direct flame and non-flame injection, and examination of the sensitivity of PFAS destruction on temperature and free radical flame chemistry.

Soot, organics, and ultrafine ash from air- and oxy-fired coal combustion.

Pulverized bituminous coal was burned in a 10W externally heated entrained flow furnace under air-combustion and three oxy-combustion inlet oxygen conditions (28, 32, and 36%). Experiments were designed to produce flames with practically relevant stoichiometric ratios (SR=1.2-1.

Confounding effects of aqueous-phase impinger chemistry on apparent oxidation of mercury in flue gases.

Gas-phase reactions between elemental mercury and chlorine are a possible pathway to producing oxidized mercury species such as mercuric chloride in combustion systems. This study examines the effect of the chemistry of a commonly used sample conditioning system on apparent and actual levels of mercury oxidation in a methane-fired, 0.3 kW, quartz-lined reactor in which gas composition (HCl, Cl2, NOx, SO2) and quench rate were varied.

High-temperature sorption of cesium and strontium on dispersed kaolinite powders.

Sorption of cesium and strontium on kaolinite powders was investigated as a means to minimize the emissions of these metals during certain high-temperature processes currently being developed to isolate and dispose of radiological and mixed wastes. In this work, nonradioactive aqueous cesium acetate or strontium acetate was atomized down the center of a natural gas flame supported on a variable-swirl burner in a refractory-lined laboratory-scale combustion facility. Kaolinite powder was injected at a postflame location in the combustor.

Inhalation health effects of fine particles from the co-combustion of coal and refuse derived fuel.

This paper is concerned with health effects from the inhalation of particulate matter (PM) emitted from the combustion of coal, and from the co-combustion of refuse derived fuel (RDF) and pulverized coal mixtures, under both normal and low NO(x) conditions. Specific issues focus on whether the addition of RDF to coal has an effect on PM toxicity, and whether the application of staged combustion (for low NO(x)) may also be a factor in this regard. Ash particles were sampled and collected from a pilot scale combustion unit and then re-suspended and diluted to concentrations of approximately 1000 microg/m(3).

Impact of the composition of combustion generated fine particles on epithelial cell toxicity: influences of metals on metabolism.

Inhaled airborne particulate matter (PM) represents a potentially significant health hazard to humans. Exposure to PM strongly correlates with pulmonary inflammation and incidences of severe respiratory distress, including increased hospital admissions for breathing disorders, asthma, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis. PM generated from the combustion of fuel oils and coals contain a number of water-soluble transition metals including Fe, V, and Zn.

A study of fine particulate emissions from combustion of treated pulverized municipal sewage sludge.

Municipal sewage sludge (MSS) is formed during wastewater treatment and its processing and disposal represent one of the most environmentally challenging aspects of the wastewater treating process. One disposal option currently being considered is a process involving heat treatment (to render the sludge biologically inactive) followed by dewatering, drying, pulverizing, and combustion. This research focuses on fine particle emissions from the combustion of dried, treated, MSS, cofired with either natural gas or pulverized Ohio bituminous coal as a supplemental fuel.

Resuspension of coal and coal/municipal sewage sludge combustion generated fine particles for inhalation health effects studies.

Airborne particulate matter (PM) is an important environmental issue because of its association with acute respiratory distress in humans, although the specific particle characteristics that cause lung damage have yet to be identified. Particle size, acid aerosols, water-soluble transition metals (e.g.