Thesis (M.S.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1991. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 37-38). Also available via the Internet.

The excellent particulate removal efficiency of ceramic candle filters has prompted efforts to develop a more durable and economical alternative to existing ceramic candle filters. Porous ceramic candle filter elements were successfully fabricated from calcium aluminate cement, calcined fireclay aggregate, and organic pore formers using refractory concrete casting techniques. Methods used to characterize the porous ceramic filter elements included determination of pore size and distribution, permeability, resistance to alkali attack, and mechanical strength. Various pore formers and casting, curing, and sintering conditions were examined to produce highly permeable and structurally sound filter elements. The optimized fabrication procedure produced porous ceramic candle filter elements with pore diameters between 20.3 to 43.1 tlm, porosities of 38 to 60%, and pressure drops of 3 to 24 mbars at a face velocity of 100 mjh. These characteristics are comparable to existing ceramic filters which are noted for their > 99% collection efficiencies of submicrometer-sized particles, but short-term durability in advanced coal combustion clean-up systems. Test specimens of the alumino silicate refractory concrete proved more durable by showing no severe attack following exposures to alkali-containing atmospheres at 700-1000°C. The strength of the cast samples ranged from 200 to 1139 psi depending on the relative densities and pore formers. Porous fliter elements with different porous structures, permeabilities, and shapes can be easily produced with this technique. / Master of Science

Experiments were performed to determine a suitable binder material for silicon carbide-based ceramic filter. These experiments included exposure of 42% and 60% alumina, aluminosilicates to potassium and sodium containing environments for the purpose of determining the phases that would form and to determine concentration profiles. In addition, thermodynamic calculations were performed to predict the phases that would form when the alkali reacted with the aluminosilicate. The results of the thermodynamic calculations indicated that the alkali compounds will react at temperatures as low as 800°C. The exposure experiments verified this result. The phases that formed during the sodium vapor exposures and confirmed the thermodynamic calculations and were as follows: 1. sodium metasilicate and a solid solution of sodium aluminum silicates and carnegieite and for potassium vapor exposure. 2. potassium disilicate, kaliophilite-nepheline, potassium aluminate, and 5K₂O-5Al₂O₃-8SiO₂. Experiments also revealed that penetration depth by alkali compounds was restricted to a region near the surface of the material when the combination of temperature and sodium concentration alowed a melt to form. The results also indicated that the 42% alumina, aluminosilicate had superior resistance to alkali attack than the 60% alumina, aluminosilicate at temperatures below 1225°C. / Master of Science

No description available.