Mercury Hot Topic Hour February 26 explores Ways to optimize Performance

The speakers in the Hot Topic Hour yesterday and the one scheduled for next week are demonstrating the large amount of knowledge that the U.S. has gained as the leader in mercury reduction. There are still many issues and therefore many options. Bob McIlvaine started the meeting by pointing out areas which are under scrutiny.

• CEMS vs. sorbent traps
• Carbon vs. non carbon sorbents
• Iodine vs. bromine vs. chlorine
• Additives impact on mercury and particulate capture
• Mercury modules e.g., Gore, Haldor Topsoe, BASF
• Hydrochloric acid pre-scrubber to capture both mercury and rare earths and start the leaching process
• Mercury capture at 850°F
• Sampling train reliability and maintenance considerations
• Flyash salablility

Just some of many issues with lots of options.

Mercury Hot Topic Hour Overview by Bob McIlvaine - Hot Topic Hour February 26, 2015

Overview of conveying, corrosion, measurement and sorbents for removing mercury.

Revision Date:  2/27/2015

Tags:  221112 - Fossil Fuel 化石燃料, Mercury

Sheila Glesmann, Senior Vice President, Environmental and External Affairs, ADA-CS provided an overview of mercury control options along with some insights relative to the operation of activated carbon systems. Some of the operational practices which should be utilized include

Align Injection Manifold/ Lances during operation

• Initial silo fill of one truckload to identify leaks or other construction defects
• PAC flows readily and is low in density
• All connections, doors, and flanges must be sealed
• Add water line to the exterior top of the silo for cleaning
• Lances can plug when not in operation – clear lances
• High carbon injection rates may require additional weigh hopper venting
• Additional fluidization capability in the silo can improve flow

Sheila also discussed the market. She cited a recent Institute of Clean Air Companies survey which confirmed 181 GW of Hg control installations.

–        This includes only ICAC members and not all members responded.

–        Represents about 60% of coal-fired power plants; potentially about 70% of those that will be operating post-MATS (assume 50-70 GW retirements).

Technologies reported are

–        Activated Carbon Injection (ACI) 310 units; 137 GW

–        Wet Flue Gas Desulfurization additives 67 units; 32 GW

–        Upstream oxidation additives 61 units; 30 GW (combined w/ACI 12 units; w/WFGD 31 units)

–        Non-carbon sorbents 3 units; 1.6 GW

On the Doorstep of MATS Compliance: Status and Options by Sheila Glesmann, ADA-CS - Hot Topic Hour February 26, 2015

Sheila provided an overview of mercury control options along with some insights relative to the operation of activated carbon systems.

Revision Date:  2/27/2015

Tags:  221112 - Fossil Fuel 化石燃料, ADA Carbon Solutions, Activated Carbon, Mercury

Steve Feeney, Mgr./Nat'l. Sales/Aftermarkets, Babcock & Wilcox Power Generating Group described a program whereby B&W can supply an inorganic sulfide for economic prevention of re-emission. The various chemicals available range by almost an order of magnitude in price.

Mercury Re-emission Re-examined - a Thermodynamic Model to Follow by Steve Feeney, Babcock & Wilcox Power Generation Group - Hot Topic Hour February 26, 2015

Steve described a program whereby B&W can supply an inorganic sulfide for economic prevention of re-emission.

Revision Date:  2/27/2015

Tags:  221112 - Fossil Fuel 化石燃料, Babcock & Wilcox Power Generation Group, Mercury, Re-Emission, Sulfide

Jeff Doherty, President, Semi-Bulk Systems, Inc described the injection system using a venturi ejector principle to introduce the PAC to the recirculating scrubber slurry. This system is also widely used to introduce powdered limestone to the scrubber system. In the U.S. some power plants have elected to purchase powdered limestone rather than invest in ball mills. This practice is much more common in China where Semi-Bulk has a number of installations.

Power Plants - Automated Systems for Sorbent Handling & Liquefying by Jeff Doherty, Semi-Bulk Systems - Hot Topic Hour February 26, 2015

Jeff described the injection system using a venturi ejector principle to introduce the PAC to the recirculating scrubber slurry.

Revision Date:  2/27/2015

Tags:  221112 - Fossil Fuel 化石燃料, Semi-Bulk Systems, Activated Carbon, Mercury, Limestone

Jeremy Whorton, P.E., CEMS Product Manager- Americas, Air Quality Instruments, Thermo Fisher Scientific, explained why power plants should consider a process mercury CEMS as well as one for compliance. The process CEMS is built for mobility and can be used to measure emissions at any point in the system. Features include

Lower Cost than a Compliance System

–        FAST Continuous Readout

–        Feedback Control

–        Less QA/QC

–        Lower O&M

–        Short Return on Investment

–        Commonality of components for Thermo Scientific

–        Freedom Hg CEMS for MATS Compliance

Thermo also sells equipment to measure the mercury content in coal, limestone, etc.  So a power plant has the ability to analyze fuels and optimize operations based on the minimal reagent, fuel and other costs.

Advantages of Using a Process Hg CEMS by Jeremy Whorton, Thermo Fisher Scientific - Hot Topic Hour - February 26, 2015

Jeremy explained why power plants should consider a process mercury CEMS as well as one for compliance.

Revision Date:  2/27/2015

Tags:  221112 - Fossil Fuel 化石燃料, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Continuous Emissions Monitor, Mercury

Mercury Measurement & Capture Webinar - Hot Topic Hour February 26, 2015

Discussion of conveying, corrosion, measurement and sorbents for removing mercury.

Revision Date:  2/27/2015

Tags:  221112 - Fossil Fuel 化石燃料, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Activated Carbon, Continuous Emissions Monitor, Mercury, Re-Emission, Sulfide, Limestone