Mercury Removal at Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory's New Waste Calcining Facility
Technologies were investigated to determine viable processes for removing mercury from the calciner (NWCF) offgas system at the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory. Technologies for gas phase and aqueous phase treatment were evaluated. The technologies determined are intended to meet EPA Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) requirements under the Clean Air Act and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). Currently, mercury accumulation in the calciner off-gas scrubbing system is transferred to the tank farm. These transfers lead to accumulation in the liquid heels of the tanks. The principal objective for aqueous phase mercury removal is heel mercury reduction. The system presents a challenge to traditional methods because of the presence of nitrogen oxides in the gas phase and high nitric acid in the aqueous scrubbing solution. Many old and new technologies were evaluated including sorbents and absorption in the gas phase and ion exchange, membranes/sorption, galvanic methods, and UV reduction in the aqueous phase. Process modifications and feed pre-treatment were also evaluated. Various properties of mercury and its compounds were summarized and speciation was predicted based on thermodynamics. Three systems (process modification, NOxidizer combustor, and electrochemical aqueous phase treatment) and additional technology testing were recommended.
- Research Organization:
- Idaho National Lab. (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- DE-AC07-99ID-13727
- OSTI ID:
- 911352
- Report Number(s):
- INEEL/CON-99-00997; TRN: US0704531
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Waste Management 2000,Tucson, AZ,02/27/2000,03/03/2000
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
54 - ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ABSORPTION
CLEAN AIR ACTS
INEEL
ION EXCHANGE
MERCURY
MODIFICATIONS
NITRIC ACID
NITROGEN OXIDES
REMOVAL
RESOURCE CONSERVATION
SCRUBBING
STORAGE FACILITIES
TANKS
TESTING
THERMODYNAMICS
US EPA
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTES
aqueous phase
calciner
electrochemical treatment
gas phase
Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT)
mercury
nitric acid
nitrogen oxides
NOxidizer combustor
off-gas
process modification
scrubbing system