A technique to control mercury from flue gas: The Thief Process

Journal Article · Fri Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 2006 · Fuel Processing Technology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuproc.2006.05.006· OSTI ID:923628

O'Dowd, W J; Pennline, H W; Freeman, M C; Granite, E J; Hargis, R A; Lacher, C J; Karash, A

The Thief Process is a mercury removal process that may be applicable to a broad range of pulverized coal-fired combustion systems. This is one of several sorbent injection technologies under development by the U.S. Department of Energy for capturing mercury from coal-fired electric utility boilers. A unique feature of the Thief Process involves the production of a thermally activated sorbent in situ at the power plant. The sorbent is obtained by inserting a lance, or thief, into the combustor, in or near the flame, and extracting a mixture of partially combusted coal and gas. The partially combusted coal or sorbent has adsorptive properties suitable for the removal of vapor-phase mercury at flue gas temperatures that are typical downstream of a power plant preheater. One proposed scenario, similar to activated carbon injection (ACI), involves injecting the extracted sorbent into the downstream ductwork between the air preheater and the particulate collection device of the power plant. Initial laboratory-scale and pilot-scale testing, using an eastern bituminous coal, focused on the concept validation. Subsequent pilot-scale testing, using a Powder River Basin (PRB) coal, focused on the process development and optimization. The results of the experimental studies, as well as an independent experimental assessment, are detailed. In addition, the results of a preliminary economic analysis that documents the costs and the potential economic advantages of the Thief Process for mercury control are discussed.

• Research Organization: National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), Pittsburgh, PA, Morgantown, WV, and Albany, OR (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE - Office of Fossil Energy (FE)
• OSTI ID: 923628
• Report Number(s): DOE/NETL-IR-2007-056
• Journal Information: Fuel Processing Technology, Journal Name: Fuel Processing Technology Journal Issue: 12 Vol. 87; ISSN 0378-3820
• Publisher: Elsevier B.V.
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS
37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ACTIVATED CARBON
AIR HEATERS
Activated carbon
BITUMINOUS COAL
BOILERS
COAL
COMBUSTION
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
ECONOMICS
FLUE GAS
Flue gas
MERCURY
MIXTURES
Mercury
OPTIMIZATION
PARTICULATES
POWDER RIVER BASIN
POWER PLANTS
REMOVAL
SORPTIVE PROPERTIES
Sorbent
TESTING
Thief Process
VALIDATION