Journal of Chemical Engineering & Process Technology
Open Access

A systematic approach towards the synthesis of zeolites and geopolymers from South African coal fly ash on a large scale

International Conference on Chemical Engineering

September 12-14, 2016 Phoenix, USA

Tunde Victor Ojumu

Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South Africa

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Chem Eng Process Technol

Abstract :

This paper discusses South African coal fly ash characteristics and the suitability of the ash for zeolites synthesis. The chemistry and physics involved in the synthesis and various methods that have been used to synthesize pure phase zeolitic compounds were discussed, drawing examples from published works of researchers from Europe, China, India and those in South Africa. An outline of necessary conditions to consider when considering the synthesis on a large scale is discussed especially with reference to some of the successes and contradictions that have been recorded in the literature. The view is to reveal the limitation(s) of some methods with respect to scale-up opportunity. The results of our recent study on sonochemical treatment of fly ash to achieve pure phase zeolite A was highlighted and it was concluded that although sonochemical techniques may appear to be a good candidate of choice, its scalability is currently not clear. Further results from previous work was used to argue for the exploitation of the hydrodynamic cavitation offered by jet loop reacting system with a view to achieve the objective of design of a scalable process for the synthesis of targeted zeolite.

Biography :

Email: ojumut@cput.ac.za