Abstract
Nonferrous metal smelting (NFMS) is one of the key sources of mercury (Hg) emissions to the air and cross-media Hg transfer in China. In this study, a "Hg removal compensation effect" between upstream and downstream air pollution control devices (APCDs) in NFMS was uncovered based on the investigation of field test data. The relationships between the Hg concentration in flue gas and the Hg removal efficiencies of typical APCDs were established, and an advanced probabilistic mass flow model regarding this effect was developed. Model comparison shows that the probabilistic essence of the advanced model prevents the underestimation of the deterministic model caused by using the geometric means of the Hg contents of metal concentrates, and the consideration of the removal compensation effect leads to more accurate estimation of the overall Hg removal efficiency of cascaded APCDs. The Hg emission abatement in the NFMS sector from 2010 to 2017 was evaluated to be 55.6 t, which was 13.5% higher than the estimate without considering the Hg removal compensation effect. The overall uncertainty of the improved model was reduced. This study provides a new methodology for more accurate evaluation of the effectiveness of the national implementation plan for the Minamata Convention on Mercury.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
