Pilot Testing of Oxidation Catalysts for Enhanced Mercury Control by Wet FGD

摘要

This paper presents results from pilot-scale testing co-sponsored by DOE-NETL, EPRI, TXU Power, Southern Company, and SRP to evaluate mercury oxidation catalysts. The catalysts, installed after the plant's particulate control device, oxidize elemental mercury in the flue gas to promote enhanced mercury removal in downstream wet flue gas desulfurization (FGD) systems. Results are presented from 14 months of mercury oxidation catalyst operation at TXU's Monticello Station (lignite/Powder River Basin [PRB] coal blend), 7 months of operation at Georgia Power's Plant Yates (bituminous coal), and the first month of operation at SRP's Coronado Station (PRB). Testing at two of the three sites has included short-term pilot wet FGD tests to measure removal of catalytically oxidized mercury across the scrubber. Results presented include mercury oxidation across the catalysts as a function of time in service, mercury removal across the pilot wet FGD by mercury species, and flue gas pressure drop across the catalysts. Additionally, process economics and a future larger-scale demonstration are discussed.