Apparatus for the detection and removal of vapor phase alkali species from coal-derived gases at high temperature and pressure

Abstract
A high-pressure, high-temperature apparatus has been developed for the analysis of sorbents capable of removing alkali compounds to the concentration levels required by advanced, coal-fired power generating systems. The reactor is capable of operating at temperatures up to 1200 °C and pressures up to 2.0 MPa. A laser-based technique—photofragment fluorescence—enables in situ analysis of the sodium content in a gas stream before and after a sorbent bed thereby determining the efficiency of the alkali removal by the various sorbents studied (typically alumino-silicate clays). The design and development of both the reactor and the laser-based analytical technique is described.