Home > Authors > Shannon D. Serre > Evaluation of the impact of chlorine on mercury oxidation in a pilot-scale coal combustor, the effect of coal blending
Evaluation of the impact of chlorine on mercury oxidation in a pilot-scale coal combustor, the effect of coal blending
"Coal-fired power plants are a major source of mercury (Hg) released into the environment and the utility industry is currently investigating options to reduce Hg emissions. One control option is to utilize existing pollution control equipment such as wet flue gas desulfurization (FGD) scrubbers. The split (speciation) between chemical forms of mercury (Hg) species has a strong influence on the control and environmental fate of Hg emissions from coal combustion. The high-temperature coal combustion process releases Hg in elemental form (Hg0). A significant fraction of the Hg0 can be subsequently oxidized in the low-temperature, post-combustion environment of a coal-fired boiler. Relative to Hg0, oxidized Hg (Hg2+) is more effectively removed by air pollution control systems (APCS). For example, the water-soluble Hg2+ is much more easily captured than insoluble Hg0 in FGD units....