Removal of Mercury from Gasifier Gases

70367 Coal gasifiers have the potential to provide electric power more efficiently, and with less pollution, than conventional coal-combustion power plants. However, gasifier processes emit mercury, a toxic metal regulated by the EPA, and current technologies to remove mercury from coal-combustion gases are ineffective in gasifiers. This project will develop and demonstrate a technology for removing mercury from high temperature, high pressure gases, such as occur in gasifier processes. The approach will be based on the use of amended silicate sorbents that have shown very high affinity for mercury in various gas streams, while avoiding interference from other gas constituents. Phase I will determine the capacity of the amended silicate sorbent at a range of temperatures and pressures encountered in coal-gasification process gases. The sorbent will be tested in simulated gasifier gas, and the cost for incorporating this sorbent technology in an Integrated Gasifier Combined Cycle (IGCC) power plant will be estimated. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: The removal of mercury at high temperature and pressure conditions should provide an enabling technology for mercury control in IGCC systems. The technology also may be suited to mercury control in industrial processes that involve high temperature and pressure, such as ore-digestion processes used in some mining operations.