Oxidation of Elemental Mercury by Active Species Injection from a Surface Discharge Reactor

Abstract

Active species injection generated by a surface discharge plasma reactor (SDPR) was studied to oxidize elemental mercury (Hg0) in the flue gas. The reactor was inserted in the simulated flue duct. The effects of several operational parameters, such as applied voltage, inlet Hg0 concentration, applied frequency and air injection flow rate, were well investigated. Experimental results showed that Hg0 oxidation efficiency of 83.8% was achieved at specific energy density of 4.0 J L-1 and the flow rate of 1.6 L min-1. Increasing applied voltage and air injection flow rate was beneficial for Hg0 oxidation due to higher production of active species. Lower Hg0 oxidation efficiency was observed with an increase of initial concentration. With an increase of applied frequency, Hg0 oxidation efficiency significantly increased, but the energy yield dropped.