Uncertainties in the Mercury Mass Balance in a Coal-Based IGCC Power Plant (Puertollano, Spain)

Mercury (Hg) is a global pollutant that subject to strict regulations reduce anthropogenic emissions. The production of energy represents an important activity leads Hg emissions into the atmosphere. Of all systems used, IGCC plants are most promising for reducing emissions, since it possible remove from syngas prior combustion. aim present work was evaluate presence in main streams experimental plant (ELCOGAS, Puertollano) order quantify and investigate possibility them. system were sampled three consecutive days both solids, i.e., raw material (coal petroleum coke), fine coarse slags, fly ash, sulphur, liquids, slag system, Venturi scrubber saturator, studied. results show average 12.9% enters power eliminated with solid waste only 0.08% liquid waste. There still 87.12% not accounted mass balance could remain and/or be analysed. Although impossible offer explanation final fate lost based on obtained results, data suggest sulphur by-products primarily responsible elimination syngas, major proportion should emitted via chimney after combustion process.