Novel pyrite-type RuS2 adsorbent for elemental mercury capture in a wide temperature range

Abstract

Metal sulfides have attracted increasing attention in mercury emission control due to their high adsorption capacity and superior sulfur resistance. Nevertheless, the performances of most metal sulfides are still unsatisfactory due to their narrow working temperature window. Here, a novel pyrite-type RuS2 adsorbent is attained using a simple salt melt approach and used for capturing elemental mercury in simulated flue gas. RuS2 exhibits excellent mercury adsorption performance in a wide temperature range of 100–300 °C with mercury removing efficiency all above 78%. Hg0 capture performances of RuS2 can be distinctly influenced by annealing temperatures. RuS2-400 prepared at 400 °C displays the optimal mercury removal performance. Nitric oxide shows a negligible influence on Hg0 removal performance likely due to physical adsorption. Sulfur dioxide presents a subtle negative impact on Hg0 capture efficiency, which is irreversible.