Mercury Emissions Control Strategies for Coal-Fired Power Plants

In cooperation with the U.S. Department of Energy, the Ohio Department of Development's Ohio Coal Development Office, and Babcock & Wilcox, McDermott Technology, Inc. has evaluated the formation and control of trace element emissions from the combustion of Ohio bituminous coals. In response to industry concern over potential regulation of mercury emissions from utility boilers, testing in Phases EI and HI of the Advanced Emissions Control Development Program was focused on measurement of the quantity and species distribution of mercury downstream of the boiler and emissions control equipment. Testing included evaluation of the potential for controlling mercury emissions in coal-fired utility power plants using conventional particulate control and flue gas desulfurization (FGD) equipment. This paper presents the results of mercury emissions testing on pilot-scale facilities at the Alliance Research Center. The emissions control techniques discussed in this paper include wet limestone SO2 scrubbing, sorbent injection systems, a baghouse, and an electrostatic precipitator (ESP).