Enhancing Carbon Reactivity in Mercury Control in Lignite-Fired Systems
The scope of the project consists of attempting to control mercury at four different power plants using two novel concepts.  The first concept is using furnace additives that will enhance the sorbent effectiveness for mercury capture.  The other concept involves using novel treated carbons to significantly increase sorbent reactivity and resultant capture of Hg.  The furnace additives will be tested at Leland Olds Station  and Antelope Valley Station while the novel sorbents will be tested at Stanton Station Units 1 &10.

Mercury Oxidation Upstream of an ESP and Wet FGD
EERC is leading a consortium-based effort that is directed toward resolving the mercury (Hg) control issues facing the lignite industry. The objective is to significantly and cost-effectively oxidize elemental Hg in lignite combustion gases, followed by capture in a wet scrubber. This project involves Hg oxidation upstream of a system equipped with an electrostatic precipitator (ESP) followed by wet flue gas desulfurization (FGD). The project focuses on longer-term full-scale testing. The test sites are Minnkota Power Cooperative Milton R. Young Unit 2 and TXU Monticello Unit 3. The work involves establishing Hg oxidation levels upstream of air pollution control devices (APCDs) and removal rates across existing ESP and FGD units, determining costs associated with those removal rates, investigating the possibility of the APCD acting as a multipollutant control device, quantifying the balance of plant impacts of the control technologies, and facilitating technology commercialization.