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.
Acknowledgements
This article would not have been possible without the efforts of NETL project managers and researchers who provided valuable technical input. The authors acknowledge the contributions of Lynn Brickett, Charles Miller, Bruce Lani, Sara Pletcher, Pierina Noceti, Barbara Carney, William Aljoe, Evan Granite and Henry Pennline. Also they acknowledge the efforts of EPA, EPRI, UNDEERC, coal-fired power generators who participated in the programme, and the research organisations and academic institutions who were active participants.
Notes
1. In Fiscal Year 2008, the IEP Program's focus was redirected to the research, development, and deployment of advanced carbon dioxide capture and compression technologies for the existing fleet of coal-fired power plants.