Mercury Control was the Hot Topic on January 8, 2009

A large audience of utilities, consultants and suppliers interacted with eight speakers covering the latest developments in mercury control technology.

Steve Derenne, We Energies, gave us an update on the TOXECON installation at Presque Isle. Ninety percent mercury removal is obtained at 1 lb activated carbon/MMacf during the winter and at 1.5 lb/MMacf during the summer as the system is temperature sensitive. Periodic, rather than Delta P driven, pulsing of the fabric filter bags is necessary to keep mercury from being re-emitted. The ash handling problems are under control but some additional minor changes are contemplated.

Joakim Thogersenn, Haldor Topsoe, reported on the high efficiency of oxidation which is being achieved by the NO_x catalyst. However, one of the variables is flyash chemistry. Alkaline ash can absorb acid gases and reduce oxidation.

David Mazyck, Mazyck Technology Solutions, described work on an adsorber that will capture mercury at 300^oF for 10 years prior to replacement. If used after the scrubber the life would be prolonged due to the capture in the scrubber.

Rob Nebergall, Norit, updated the attendees on the logistical problems of an industry that finds the demand for its coal-based activated carbon doubling. Furthermore the market has moved from 80 percent bagged material to 80 percent bulk.  Supplies should be adequate to meet the 200 million lb/yr demand in 2010.

Carl Richardson, URS, discussed a number of technologies being advanced. The low temperature catalyst is now commercial. The use of SBS injection to reduce SO₃ will enhance the ability of the carbon to capture the mercury. Co-injection of carbon and SBS is possible.

Sid Nelson, Sorbent Technologies (Albermarle), says that the design of injection systems is critical. If the sorbent is not uniformly dispersed in the gas stream the results will be poor. All carbons are not alike. B-PAC has 6 percent bromine vs. 2-4 percent in competitors’ activated carbon (AC).

Ann Minga, Kuttner, championed the recycle approach. Substantial reduction in carbon usage is achieved using a proprietary rotor to re-introduce carbon ahead of the fabric filter.

Scott Renninger, Nalco Mobotec, pointed to the synergy of injection in the furnace, ductwork, and scrubber as opposed to single point injection.

Bios, Abstracts and Photos can be viewed as follows:

January 8, 2009 Bios, Photos and Abstracts - Hot Topic Hour.htm

The power points can be viewed in the Mercury Decision Tree

Steve Derenne – We Energies

Mercury Continuing Decision Process For: TOXECON

TOXECON Operational Updates presented by Steve Derenne at Hot Topic Hours

http://www.mcilvainecompany.com/Mercury_Decision_Tree/subscriber/Tree/DescriptionTextLinks/TOXECON.htm

Joakim Thogersen – Haldor Topsoe

Mercury Continuing Decision Process For: Products

Mercury Control presented by Joakim Thogersen, Haldor Topsoe. Hot Topic Hour January 8, 2009.

http://mcilvainecompany.com/Mercury_Decision_Tree/subscriber/Tree/DescriptionTextLinks/Joakim Thogersen - Haldor Topsoe 1809.pdf

David W. Mazyck – Mazyck Technology Solutions, LLC

Mercury Continuing Decision Process For: Other Technologies

A number of promising technologies are in development. See hyperlink below.

http://mcilvainecompany.com/Mercury_Decision_Tree/subscriber/Tree/DescriptionTextLinks/other_technologies.htm

 

Alternative Adsorption – Presented at Hot Topic Hour January 8, 2009.

subscriber/Tree/DescriptionTextLinks/David Mazyck.pdf

Rob Nebergall - Norit

Mercury Continuing Decision Process For: Products

Mercury Removal - Activated Carbon Supply Chain, presented by Rob Nebergall, Norit. Hot Topic Hour January 8, 2009.

http://www.mcilvainecompany.com/Mercury_Decision_Tree/subscriber/Tree/DescriptionTextLinks/Rob Nebergall - Norit Americas.pdf

Ann Minga – Kuttner

Mercury Continuing Decision Process For: System Options

http://mcilvainecompany.com/Mercury_Decision_Tree/subscriber/Tree/DescriptionTextLinks/system_options.htm

 

Single Stage Gas Cleaning Systems for Mercury Control – Hot Topic Hour January 8, 2009
subscriber/Tree/DescriptionTextLinks/Anne Minga - Kuttner ppt to McIlvaine Mercury Control Applications 0109.pdf

Scott Miller and Katherine Dumbrowski

Mercury Continuing Decision Process For: System Options

http://mcilvainecompany.com/Mercury_Decision_Tree/subscriber/Tree/DescriptionTextLinks/system_options.htm
 

Mercury Control for Coal-fired Power Plants – Hot Topic Hour January 8, 2009
subscriber/Tree/DescriptionTextLinks/URS - Scott Miller and Katherine Dumbrowski.pdf

Sid Nelson – Albermarle Sorbent Technologies

Mercury Continuing Decision Process For: Products

Albemarle Sorbent Technologies Update, presented by Sid Nelson. Hot Topic Hour January 8, 2009.

http://www.mcilvainecompany.com/Mercury_Decision_Tree/subscriber/Tree/DescriptionTextLinks/Albemarle - McIlvaine 01-08-2009.pdf

Scott Renninger – Nalco-Mobotec

Mercury Continuing Decision Process For: Products

Executive Summary presented by Scott Renninger, Nalco/Mobotec. Hot Topic Hour January 8, 2009.

http://www.mcilvainecompany.com/Mercury_Decision_Tree/subscriber/Tree/DescriptionTextLinks/Scott Renninger - Nalco Mobotec.pdf