Cu–ZSM-5
has great potential for the direct catalytic decomposition
of NO in flue gas. However, NO conversion is significantly inhibited
in the presence of water vapor, and the mechanism for this inhibition
process has not been identified. In this study, a series of experiments
are carried out to simulate the flue gas in coal-fired power plants.
The reaction mechanism for NO decomposition and the corresponding
kinetics are determined. The experimental results show that NO conversion
clearly decreases as the water vapor content increases. A variety
of characterization methods were applied to the samples treated with
water vapor. Brunauer–Emmett–Teller shows the change
from micro- to mesopores under the action of water vapor, while X-ray
diffraction shows grain growth, fragmentation, and agglomeration under
the action of water vapor. Scanning electron microscopy shows that
the surface of the grains is corroded by water vapor, while ultraviolet–visible
spectroscopy shows the presence of Al3+ in the condensate.
Finally, Raman and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy show that
the skeleton structure of the catalyst is destroyed by water vapor.
CuO is detected as a result of changes in the copper species, which
is caused by the destruction of the skeleton structure. Furthermore,
there is competition between NO and H2O in the adsorbing
process. The steady-state kinetics of Cu–ZSM-5 show that the
decomposition rate of NO increases with the increase in the NO concentration,
[Cu–O–Cu]2+ dimer number, and chemical kinetic
parameters. The reaction rate constant k
1 is positively correlated with the temperature. Additionally, there
is a side reaction between the dimer and H2O, which can
reduce the amount of dimer and the impact factor b. Finally, the reaction rate constant k
1 and the impact factor b increase with an appropriately
increasing temperature.