Measurement of Mercury in Chinese Utility Coal

摘要

The paper gives results of analyzing representative samples of 20 Chinese utility211u001ecoals for mercury content, and proximate, ultimate, and heating values. The data 211u001efor these bituminous coals, obtained from China with the cooperation of the 211u001eChinese University of Mining Technology, were compared with data for U.S. utility 211u001ecoals. It was found that the average mercury level is on the same order of 211u001emagnitude for the Chinese and U.S. coals. The Chinese coals appear to have a 211u001ewider variation in mercury level. The measured results were also compared with 211u001edata reported by a Chinese paper, which were obtained from an extensive 211u001eliterature search in Chinese publications. The current mercury data did not show 211u001eany correlation with either sulfur content or ash content of the samples. The 211u001eresult was also discussed under the general background of past, current, and 211u001eprojected future coal use in China. More work is planned to achieve the eventual 211u001egoal of obtaining a mercury emissions inventory from coal combustion in China.