EERC: Understanding Mercury Speciation, Variability, and Operational Impacts on Mercury Control
Special Session: Understanding and Controlling Mercury Emissions from Coal-Fired Power Plants
8th International Conference on Mercury as a Global Pollutant
Madison, Wisconsin, August 11, 2006
John H. Pavlish
Energy & Environmental Research Center
Grand Forks, North Dakota
Mercury Is a Global Pollutant
- Estimated 7000 tons1 emitted worldwide.
- Estimated 4700 tons1 ~⅔ from human activities.
- U.S. contribution from industrial sources is about 120 tons2 (~2%).
- U.S. coal-fired utilities account for about 48 tons—less than 1% of worldwide total mercury releases.
What Governs Mercury Emissions and Control?
- Mercury levels and association in the coal
- Coal constituents
- Halogens
- Ash components and quantity
- Sulfur
- Mercury variability in coal
- Mercury forms (speciation) in flue gases
- Mercury concentration in flue gases and synthesis gases
- Existing control equipment installed for NOx, SO2, and PM
