Pilot Membrane Module Testing Using Ohio Coal

The objective of this project, “Pilot Membrane Module Testing Using Ohio Coal” (Task 11), is to test OSU’s fabricated pilot membrane module using the flue gas derived from Ohio coal for a membrane module stability with a total of 100 hours. This test is to be conducted using Ohio coal at the 0.1 MWthermal combustor in the Center for Allied Energy Research (CAER) at the University of Kentucky for a flue gas flow rate of about 3 CFM (cubic feet per minute), which is at a partial capacity of the combustor. This test is to be carried out in the timeframe within October 2020 – September 2021. This timeframe gives us a flexibility of the testing time to fit in a schedule that is convenient with CAER. For the test, OSU can provide a SO2 polishing device, e.g., about 5 wt.% NaOH solution, to pretreat the flue gas to have a SO2 concentration of less than about 3 ppm. The temperature and pressure of the flue gas are at its typical values of about 67oC and 1 atm, respectively. OSU will provide a blower / compressor to increase the flue gas feed pressure to about 4 atm. At least one of OSU researchers will be present during the membrane module testing with CAER staff.