MICROWAVE-INDUCED REACTIONS OF SO2 AND NOX DECOMPOSITION IN THE CHAR-BED

Microwaves applied to a pyrolytic carbon matrix enhance the chemical r eactions of SO2 and NOx decomposition. The SO2 and NOx in a coal combu stor product gas are adsorbed in a char bed and decomposed by the micr owave to elemental sulfur and nitrogen, respectively. High removal rat es of SO2 and NOx - near 98% - were observed in the laboratory tests. The activated carbon used as an adsorbent is also produced inexpensive ly in the electromagnetic field from coal pyrolysis. During the 21-cyc le adsorption and decomposition experiments, the surface area of the b ed carbon was increased from 7 m(2)/g to 700 m(2)/g. Process concept t esting and economic evaluation will be completed in the U.S. Departmen t of Energy, SBIR Phase II Program under Contract Number DE-FG03-90ER8 0898. This program is also supported in part by the National Science F oundation under Grant Number EHR-910-8774. The paper presents the labo ratory test results obtained to date.