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

This article may be used for research, teaching and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution , reselling , loan or sub-licensing, systematic supply or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. The publisher does not give any warranty express or implied or make any representation that the contents will be complete or accurate or up to date. The accuracy of any instructions, formulae and drug doses should be independently verified with primary sources. The publisher shall not be liable for any loss, actions, claims, proceedings, demand or costs or damages whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with or arising out of the use of this material. 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. 1. Introduction Since first being identified for potential regulation in the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments, there has been concern within the industry whether it would be possible to develop cost-effective emission control technologies for mercury (Hg) because of its low concentration and reactivity during coal combustion. Although technical issues remain, the US Department of Energy's National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) has been successful, through public–private partnership, in significantly improving both the cost and performance of Hg control technology. Under the Office of Fossil Energy's Innovations for Existing Plants (IEP) Program, NETL has carried out a comprehensive Hg research and development (R&D) program for coal-fired power generation facilities since the mid-1990s [1]. Working collaboratively with (UNDEERC), power plant operators, state and local agencies, and a host of research