Enhanced Control of Mercury and other HAP by Innovative Modifications to Wet FGD Processes
The overall objective of this project was to learn more about controlling emissions of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) from coal-fired power plants that are equipped with wet flue gas desulfurization (FGD) systems. The project was included by FETC as a Phase I project in its Mega-PRDA program. Phase I of this project focused on three research areas. These areas in order of priority were: (1) Catalytic oxidation of vapor-phase elemental mercury; (2) Enhanced particulate-phase HAPs removal by electrostatic charging of liquid droplets; and (3) Enhanced mercury removal by addition of additives to FGD process liquor. Mercury can exist in two forms in utility flue gas--as elemental mercury and as oxidized mercury (predominant form believed to be HgCl{sub 2}). Previous test results have shown that wet scrubbers effectively remove the oxidized mercury from the gas but are ineffective in removing elemental mercury. Recent improvements in mercury speciation techniques confirm this finding. Catalytic oxidation of vapor-phase elemental mercury is of interest in cases where a wet scrubber exists or is planned for SO{sub 2} control. If a low-cost process could be developed to oxidize all of the elemental mercury in the flue gas, then the maximum achievable mercury removal across the existing or planned wet scrubber would increase. Other approaches for improving control of HAPs included a method for improving particulate removal across the FGD process and the use of additives to increase mercury solubility. This paper discusses results related only to catalytic oxidation of elemental mercury.
- Research Organization:
- National Energy Technology Lab., Pittsburgh, PA, and Morgantown, WV (US)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Fossil Energy (FE) (US)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC22-95PC95101
- OSTI ID:
- 16487
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/PC/95101-98/C0908; CONF-970772-; ON: DE98051610; TRN: US200511%%116
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Advanced Coal-Based Power and Environmental Systems, Conference location not provided, Conference dates not provided; Other Information: Supercedes report DE00016487; Supercedes report DE98051610; PBD: 1 Jul 1997; PBD: 1 Jul 1997
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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