Experimental study on mercury capture in coal-derived flue gases using treated activated carbons

FUEL 13

Edwin S. Olson, eolson@undeerc.org1, Ye Zhuang2, Michael J. Holmes, mholmes@undeerc.org2, and John H. Pavlish, jpavlish@undeerc.org2. (1) Energy & Environmental Research Center, PO Box 9018, Grand Forks, ND 58202-9018, (2) Energy & Environmental Research Center, University of North Dakota, 15 North 23rd Street, Grand Forks, ND 58203
Treated activated carbons have proven to be very effective in oxidizing and capturing elemental mercury. Pilot-scale experimental studies were performed to determine the effect of particle size and halogenation method on capture efficiency. Two different treated carbons, referred to as EERC-TC-1 and EERC-TC-2, were prepared and tested in a pilot-scale combustion facility burning subbituminous coal and Texas lignite in both electrostatic precipitator (ESP) and TOXECONTM configurations for environmental control. The brominated large particle EERC-TC-1, at an injection rate of 4.9 lb/Macf, showed >80% mercury capture in subbituminous flue gas with either ESP or TOXECONTM configurations, which is comparable with fine-particle sorbents. Addition of the fine-particle alternative halogenated carbon at 1.8 lb/Macf EERC-TC-2 injection into Texas lignite flue gas provided 28% and 58% mercury removals for ESP and TOXECONTM, respectively. Higher capture (>90%) was obtained using EERC-TC-2 added at 1.8 lb/Macf along with furnace additives to alter the flue gas composition. Both EERC carbons demonstrated improved performance for mercury oxidation and capture in ESP and TOXECONTM configurations compared to DARCO-Hg.
 

Mercury and Other Trace Elements in Fuel: Emissions and Control
8:25 AM-11:35 AM, Sunday, April 6, 2008 Morial Convention Center -- Rm. 240/241, Oral

Sci-Mix
8:00 PM-10:00 PM, Monday, April 7, 2008 Morial Convention Center -- Hall A, Sci-Mix

Division of Fuel Chemistry

The 235th ACS National Meeting, New Orleans, LA, April 6-10, 2008