XAS and XPS Characterization of Mercury Binding on Brominated Activated Carbon

Journal Article · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 2007 · Environmental Science and Technology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/es062121q· OSTI ID:930358

Hutson, N; Attwood, B; Scheckel, K

Brominated powdered activated carbon sorbents have been shown to be quite effective for mercury capture when injected into the flue gas duct at coal-fired power plants and are especially useful when burning Western low-chlorine subbituminous coals. X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) have been used to determine information about the speciation and binding of mercury on two commercially available brominated activated carbons. The results are compared with similar analysis of a conventional (non-halogenated) and chlorinated activated carbon. Both the XAS and XPS results indicate that the mercury, though introduced as elemental vapor, is consistently bound on the carbon in the oxidized form. The conventional and chlorinated activated carbons appeared to contain mercury bound to chlorinated sites and possibly to sulfate species that have been incorporated onto the carbon from adsorbed SO{sub 2}. The mercury-containing brominated sorbents appear to contain mercury bound primarily at bromination sites. The mechanism of capture for the sorbents likely consists of surface-enhanced oxidation of the elemental mercury vapor via interaction with surface-bound halide species with subsequent binding by surface halide or sulfate species.

• Research Organization: Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) National Synchrotron Light Source
• Sponsoring Organization: Doe - Office Of Science
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-98CH10886
• OSTI ID: 930358
• Report Number(s): BNL--81077-2008-JA
• Journal Information: Environmental Science and Technology, Journal Name: Environmental Science and Technology Vol. 41; ISSN ESTHAG; ISSN 0013-936X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
ABSORPTION SPECTROSCOPY
ACTIVATED CARBON
BROMINATION
CARBON
DUCTS
FLUE GAS
HALIDES
MERCURY
OXIDATION
POWER PLANTS
SUBBITUMINOUS COAL
SULFATES
X-RAY PHOTOELECTRON SPECTROSCOPY
national synchrotron light source