Developing mercury control technology for coal-fired power plants – from concept to commercial reality

Issue title: Mercury and Other Trace Elements in Fuel: Emissions and Control

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Feeley III, T.J. | O’Palko, B.A. | Jones, A.P.

Affiliations: US Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory, Pittsburgh, USA | US Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory, Morgantown, USA | Science Applications International Corporation, Pittsburgh, USA

Note: [] Corresponding author. Email: [email protected]

Abstract: The US Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory, under the Office of Fossil Energy’s Innovations for Existing Plants (IEP) Program, has managed full-scale field tests of mercury (Hg) control technologies at nearly 50 US coal-fired power plants over the past 7 years. The high performance observed during many of these field tests, coupled with the reliability of Hg control system operations, has given coal-fired power plant operators the confidence to begin deploying technology. As of April 2008, nearly 90 full-scale activated carbon injection (ACI) systems, a signature technology of the IEP Program, have been ordered by US coal-fired power generators. These contracts represent over 44 gigawatts of coal-fired electric generating capacity. The ACI systems have the potential to remove more than 90% of the Hg in most applications, at a cost that can dip below $10,000 per pound of Hg removed.

Keywords: mercury capture, activated carbon injection, chemically-treated, calcium bromide, oxidation, commercialization

DOI: 10.1080/10241220802302556

Journal: Main Group Chemistry, vol. 7, no. 3, pp. 169-179, 2008