Control of mercury emissions in flue gases by activated carbon adsorption

Journal Article · Tue Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1996 · Preprints of Papers, American Chemical Society, Division of Fuel Chemistry

OSTI ID:433165

Vidic, R D ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Pittsburgh, PA (United States)

The adsorptive capacities of virgin and sulfur impregnated activated carbons (GAC) for gas-phase mercury were evaluated as a function of temperature and influent mercury concentration. The virgin activated carbon showed little adsorptive capacity, especially at temperatures above 90 {degrees}C. The pronounced effect of temperature on the adsorptive capacity evidences a physical adsorption mechanism between the mercury and virgin GAC. Sulfur impregnated activated carbons exhibited enhanced mercury removal efficiency over the non-impregnated varieties due to formation of mercuric sulfide on the carbon surface. This chemisorption process is enhanced with increased temperature between 25 and 90 {degrees}C. However, at 140 {degrees}C a decrease in adsorptive capacity occurs, indicating reduced formation of mercuric sulfide. The method used for impregnating GAC with sulfur had a pronounced effect on mercury removal capacity. The chemical bonding of sulfur and carbon surface at 600 {degrees}C provides a more uniform distribution of sulfur throughout the GAC pore structure than achieved by conventional condensation techniques, yielding improved performance.

• OSTI ID: 433165
• Report Number(s): CONF-960376--
• Journal Information: Preprints of Papers, American Chemical Society, Division of Fuel Chemistry, Journal Name: Preprints of Papers, American Chemical Society, Division of Fuel Chemistry Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 41; ISSN 0569-3772; ISSN ACFPAI
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS
ACTIVATED CARBON
AIR POLLUTION CONTROL
CHEMISORPTION
FLUE GAS
MERCURY
PORE STRUCTURE
REMOVAL
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE