Catalytic reactor for oxidizing mercury vapor

A catalytic reactor for oxidizing elemental mercury contained in a gas stream by use of corona discharge comprising:

• a. an elongate fluidic flow conduit extending in an axial direction for axial passage therethrough of said gas stream, said fluidic flow conduit having an axially-extending sidewall portion formed of a dielectric material;
• b. means for forming a corona plane extending transaxially across said fluidic flow conduit, said means for forming said corona plane including a substantially planar perforated discharge plate and a plurality of electrodes electrically connected thereto, said perforated discharge plate having opposing upper and lower surfaces, said perforated discharge plate having a plurality of through openings passing in a direction parallel said axial direction, said electrodes projecting from at least one of said upper and lower surfaces of said perforated discharge plate, each of said electrodes defining a corona point;
• c. a substantially planar perforated electrode plate transaxially extending across said fluidic flow conduit and axially displaced from said means for forming said corona plane by a predetermined distance, said perforated electrode plate having a pair of opposing outer surfaces, said perforated electrode plate having a plurality of through openings passing in a direction parallel said axial direction, at least one of said outer surfaces opposing said corona points;
• d. a catalyst member overlaying said one of said outer surfaces of said perforated electrode plate opposing said corona points, said catalyst member including a catalyst composition for increasing the rate of said oxidation of said elemental mercury contained in said gas stream, said catalyst composition being substantially activated by said corona discharge;
• and,
• e. means for generating a predetermined electric potential difference between said means for forming said corona plane and said perforated electrode plate for producing said corona discharge between said corona points and said perforated electrode plate during passage of said gas stream through said fluidic flow conduit.