A study on removal of elemental mercury in flue gas using fenton solution

Abstract

A novel technique on oxidation-separation of elemental mercury (Hg0) in flue gas using Fenton solution in a bubbling reactor was proposed. The effects of several process parameters (H2O2 concentration, Hg0 inlet concentration, Fe2+ concentration, solution temperature, solution pH, gas flow) and several flue gas components (NO, SO2, O2, CO2, inorganic ions and particulate matters on Hg0 removal were studied. The results indicate that H2O2 concentration, Fe2+ concentration, solution pH and gas flow have great effects on Hg0 removal. Solution temperature, Hg0, NO, SO2, CO32− and HCO3− concentrations also have significant effects on Hg0 removal. However, Cl−, SO42−, NO3−, O2 and CO2 concentrations only have slight effects on Hg0 removal. Furthermore, reaction mechanism of Hg0 removal and simultaneous removal process of Hg0, NO and SO2 were also studied. Hg0 is removed by oxidation of OH and oxidation of H2O2. The simultaneous removal efficiencies of 100% for SO2, 100% for Hg0 and 88.3% for NO were obtained under optimal test conditions. The results demonstrated the feasibility of Hg0 removal and simultaneous removal of Hg0, SO2 and NO using Fenton solution in a bubbling reactor.