Advanced Research In The Fundamental Mechanisms That Effect Mercury Control In Fossil Energy Systems

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Advanced Research In The Fundamental Mechanisms That Effect Mercury Control In Fossil Energy Systems: In support of the IEP Program and to address mercury control in advanced power generation systems, fundamental research and development is being sought in the areas of mercury measurement, removal in post gasification clean-up processes, and chemistry and transport in combustion and post combustion processes. The objectives of the solicitation are to competitively seek fundamentally-based research that increases the knowledge regarding mercury chemistry and transport or addresses technology barriers associated with mercury control. The fundamental research includes theoretical/computational studies, experimental laboratory-based research, process/product feasibility testing, and concept/technique feasibility testing. Technology that is near commercial or is ready for full-scale demonstration is beyond the scope of the solicitation. Existing prototypes, incremental improvements in existing technologies or products, and large scale testing/demonstrations are beyond the scope of this solicitation and are not considered fundamental. Given the fundamental nature of this work, except for potentially patentable information, DOE NETL anticipates that all data, technology, material formulations, and novel approaches generated from projects selected through this solicitation will be made publicly available. Specific topics for research and development have been outlined below with regard to mercury measurement, chemistry, transport, and capture. Proposed projects that do not address one of the three specific topic areas will be considered outside the scope of the solicitation and will not be considered for award. The topics are as follows: Mercury Measurement: Current on-line measurement of mercury in flue gas is accomplished using extensive wet based sampling, conditioning and pre-concentration followed by a spectroscopic analysis of the treated gas. While these techniques are commercially available, the overall approach is maintenance intensive and is not an ideal approach for continuous on-line measurement of trace levels of mercury. This subtopic is seeking novel approaches for measuring mercury without the use of wet chemical methods. Novel approaches should focus on the continuous measurement of mercury followed by complimentary developments in dry sample conditioning and preparation techniques. Sampling condition and preparation techniques should attempt to support an approach that minimizes sampling losses and errors associated with extractive sampling by analyzing near the sample port. Methods and measurement techniques must be able to detect 0-100 ppb of total mercury at a sampling rate, accuracy, and precision expected from CEM equipment. Techniques capable of measuring the various forms of mercury (elemental, oxidized, particulate bound) are encouraged. The primary challenge with developing dry based systems are accuracy at ultra low concentrations in the presence of particulate, SO2, moisture, and other common flue gas constituents (NO, NO2, CO, CO2, O2, N2). An ideal system is one that can measure speciated forms of mercury in addition to total mercury and performs similar to other CEM equipment used in flue gas monitoring. Its design would include the capability of being used near the sample port. A design for at-line use would also consider the overall size and ruggedness of the equipment as well as routine required maintenance. Topic Reference: Kilgroe, J.D. et al., ?Control of Mercury Emissions from Coal-Fired Electric Utility Boilers: Interim Report Including ERRATA Data 3-21-02?, Chapter 4, U.S. EPA , EPA-600/R-01-109, April 2002, www.epa.gov. Mercury Chemistry and Control in Post Gasification Warm Gas Clean-up Systems: Warm gas clean-up technologies are currently under development to improve the overall efficiency of gasification-based power systems. Targeted process conditions for these clean-up processes include a temperature range of 300-700 oF and a pressure range of 300-1000 psi. Bulk gas constituents include Carbon Monoxide (CO), Hydrogen(H2), Methane (CH4), Carbon Dioxide(CO2), followed by low level gases of Hydrogen Sulfide(H2S), Oxygen(O2), Nitrogen(N2), Ammonia(NH3), and Carbonyl Sulfide(COS), and trace contaminants including mercury, arsenic, selenium, cadmium, vanadium, and nickel. The technology development goals are to efficiently remove the low level and trace level gases in a multi-gas cleaning approach. In an effort to enhance technology development, both experimental and computational research are sought to create an understanding of mercury chemistry, transport, and capture under reducing conditions and in the presence of the various gases and particulate. To further support this technology area, development of novel materials that would serve as sorbents for mercury and other contaminants are sought. Goals for material development include those that support 100% capture of mercury and other trace contaminants under the specified process conditions. Topic Reference: Ratafia-Brown, J.A., et.al., ?Major Environmental Aspects of Gasification-based Power Generation Systems? Final Project Report, December 2002, http://www.netl.doe.gov/coalpower/gasification/pubs/pdf/final%20env.pdf Mercury Chemistry and Transport in Post Combustion Processes: Laboratory studies and large-scale sampling efforts have shown that a considerable amount of mercury exiting a coal-fired boiler may be captured in existing pollution control equipment. A qualitative understanding of mercury transformation in most of the unit processes exists, and major large-scale sampling efforts are underway to quantitatively determine mercury capture in a variety of different coal-fired boiler systems with the goal of resolving the complexities and contributions of the numerous variables impacting mercury control. Conditions and gas compositions in a combustion zone and back-pass of a boiler system may influence the form of gaseous mercury (elemental versus oxidized) entering pollution control equipment thus making the capture of mercury variable. However, a quantitative understanding of this chemistry is not available. Its subsequent capture by novel sorbents in downstream processes has also been unpredictable suggesting that work is needed to study the solid/gas interactions under post combustion conditions to improve the overall effectiveness of capture technologies. A specific post combustion pollution control process that requires study is a Wet Flue Gas Desulfurization System (WFGD). Large scale sampling efforts have shown that mercury may change form through a WFGD from oxidized to elemental and potentially be re-emitted. The specific conditions that promote the formation and emission of elemental mercury in WFGDs are unclear and research is needed enhance the multi-pollutant control capabilities of WFGD systems. To further support a quantitative understanding, work is sought in the areas of 1) developing an understanding of the mercury chemistry in the combustion zone and back-pass of coal-fired boiler systems prior to the gases entering any pollution control equipment, and 2) chemistry and transport with solids/sorbents as mercury passes through pollution control equipment with specific interest in the capture of mercury in WFGD. Other post combustion pollution control equipment includes: SCR systems, ESP?s, Fabric (Bag House) Filter Systems, and SDA?s. Interest is focused on developing a quantitative understanding through experimental and/or computational approaches. The development of models for this area is of interest should account for the solid/gas mass transfer, mercury transformations on the surface of ash particles, sorption/desorption of mercury species, and gas phase reactions as a complex whole system functioning under non-equilibrium conditions. Work focused on WFGD systems should consider modifications to the operation of the scrubber, proper selection of desulfurization agents, or the development of novel additives to enhance mercury capture. Development or expansion existing models for atmospheric plume chemistry and deposition such that the mercury species and content can be accurately predicted is an interest. Topic Reference: McDonald, D.K. et al., Full-Scale Testing of Enhanced Mercury Control Technologies For Wet FGD Systems : Final Report. DOE # DE-FC26-00NT41006, May 7, 2002. http://www.netl.doe.gov/coalpower/environment/index.html Sullivan, T.M., et. al., ?Assessing the Mercury Health Risks Associated with Coal-Fired Power Plants: Impacts of Local Depositions?, Proceedings from Air Quality IV Conference, Arlington, VA, September, 2003. http://www.netl.doe.gov/coalpower/environment/mercury/pubs/PRH-2.pdf