Prediction and Optimization of Sulphur Trioxide Yield from Calcination of Aluminium Sulfate Using Central Composite Design

Abstract

Sulphur trioxides are common toxic gaseous pollutants which can be produced from alternative routes via calcination of aluminum sulfate derived from kaolin clay. Its demand increases geometrically, thus the need to optimize the yield of SO 3 from the calcination of alum is essential. The rate of alum decomposition was monitored by the formation of SO 3 via thermogravimetric analysis and X-ray fluorescence analysis. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of calcination temperature and curing time on the SO 3 conversion and yields using Face Central Composite Design and optimize the process conditions to evaluate the maximum yield of SO 3 using response surface methodology and its effects and interactions were investigated between 800-900 °C at 60-180 minutes. Results indicated that experimental data satisfied second order polynomial regression model for SO 3 conversion and SO 3 yield from TG analysis while XRF analysis satisfied first order model respectively. An increase in SO 3 conversion and yields was observed as the calcination temperature and time were increased both independently and simultaneously. The calcination temperature was found to have a stronger influence compared to the calcination time. Validation indicated agreement between experimental and predicted values with a regression value of 97.8 %, 97.77 % and 97.67 % for SO 3 conversion, SO 3 yield via TG and XRF analyses respectively. Based on the ANOVA, the SO 3 yield via XRF produced the best model with R 2 pred of 91.98% while SO 3 yield via TG analysis and SO 3 conversion had R 2 pred of 79.99% and 78.01% respectively. Optimization of the production of SO 3 was carried out and the optimal condition for SO 3 conversion, SO 3 yield via TG and XRF analyes were 90.11 %, 91.67 % and 75.81 % respectively at an optimal calcination temperature of 877.43 o C and time of 155.04 minutes respectively.

D-Optimal Response Mixture Design Modeling of Polystyrene Waste Adhesive Formulations

“…Modeling is a process of formulation using mathematical equations, showing the behavior that characterized the process by the response surface method [21], it is the essentials that can be experimentally verified in order to solve the problem or improve on the existing process condition [31], leading to establishment of the relationship between the response concern and the input. The variables are used to predict the responses that can be compared with experimental values [25] using mathematical model equation as presented in Eq. (1) [35].…”