Impact of Coal Chlorine on Mercury Speciation and Emission from a 100-MW Utility Boiler with Cold-Side Electrostatic Precipitators and Low-NOx Burners

Abstract

Field tests on mercury speciation and emission while burning Kentucky and Illinois coals with different chlorine contents were performed in a 100-MWe pulverized-coal boiler with low-NOx burners. Seven coals were used during the tests and were grouped into two sets for comparison, with the baseline coal being shared between the two sets. The first set of four coals was used to investigate the effect of chlorine in coal on mercury emission and its speciation by selecting coals with similar mercury contents and different chlorine contents. The four coals in the second set were selected to investigate the effect of mercury contents in coal on mercury emission and its speciation by choosing coals with similar chlorine contents and different mercury contents. The mercury concentration and speciation in the flue gas were determined using the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standard Ontario Hydro Method (OHM) and a PS Analytical Semi-continuous Emissions Monitoring (SCEM) system. Flue gas sampli...