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

Abstract

The US Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory, under the 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.