Chemical Microsensors and Instrumentation for Continuous Monitoring and Control of Mercury Emissions

This project addresses the national need to continuously monitor and control mercury emission from industrial, municipal and energy-production sources. The proposed development of novel chemical microsensors and instrumentation have a unique combination of advantages to satisfy this need. The small sample size required by the microsensors in these instruments will both prolong their useful lifetime in corrosive environments and greatly simplify any sample-conditioning requirements. Moreover, they can be mass produced on silicon wafers using standard methods to significantly reduce costs, while achieving high reproducibility and minimizing calibration requirements. The objective of this Phase II project is to develop a new generation of mercury continuous emissions monitors based on the robust thin-film chemical microsensors developed in Phase I. The Phase II effort will focus on the development, evaluation and optimization of an EPA-protocol-based sample conditioning system interfaced to an ultrasensitive mercury analyzer to achieve reliable continuous monitoring of mercury from combustion sources. This Phase II project will provide the basis for the commercialization of a continuous mercury emissions monitor that will be evaluated at several combustion sources prior to commercialization in Phase III.