Reducing mercury emissions from the burning of coal by remote sorbent addition
AssigneeNOx II, Ltd.
InventorDouglas C. COMRIE
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Sorbent components containing halogen, calcium, alumina, and silica are used in combination during coal combustion to produce environmental benefits. Sorbents such as calcium bromide are added to the coal ahead of combustion and other components are added into the flame or downstream of the flame, preferably at minimum temperatures to assure complete formation of the refractory structures that result in various advantages of the methods. When used together, the components reduce emissions of elemental and oxidized mercury; increase the level of Hg, As, Pb, and/or Cl in the coal ash; decrease the levels of leachable heavy metals (such as Hg) in the ash, preferably to levels below the detectable limits; and make a highly cementitious ash product.
Claims20
A method of preparing coal for a coal burning facility to reduce emissions of mercury or other harmful components arising from combustion of coal in a furnace of the facility, comprising:
- transporting a treated coal having an applied sorbent composition comprising a halogen to the coal burning facility, wherein the treated coal is delivered to and combusted in the furnace to make energy, combustion gas, and ash, wherein the treated coal reduces an amount of mercury in the combustion gas as compared to mercury present in a combustion gas when coal is combusted without the applied sorbent composition.
A method of preparing coal for a coal burning facility to reduce emissions of mercury or other harmful components arising from combustion of coal in a furnace of the facility, comprising:
- adding a sorbent composition comprising a halogen to coal to form a treated coal;
- and
- transporting the treated coal to the coal burning facility, wherein the treated coal is delivered to and combusted in the furnace to make energy, combustion gas, and ash, wherein the treated coal reduces an amount of mercury in the combustion gas as compared to mercury present in a combustion gas when coal is combusted without the sorbent composition.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.