Reducing sulfur gas emissions resulting from the burning of carbonaceous fuels

A method for reducing the amount of sulfur gases released into the atmosphere upon combustion of a sulfur-containing coal in a furnace, the method comprising:

• applying a powder sorbent composition onto the sulfur-containing coal;
• delivering a combustible fuel composition comprising the applied powder sorbent composition and the sulfur-containing coal into the furnace;
• and
• combusting the sulfur-containing coal with the powder sorbent composition applied to produce heat energy and ash,
• wherein the powder sorbent composition comprises
• 20-50% by weight Portland cement
• 20-40% by weight calcium oxide
• 15-25% by weight of a dolomitic material selected from the group consisting of dolomite and burnt dolomite, and
• 5-15% by weight of an aluminosilicate clay, and
• wherein upon combustion of the coal to release its heat energy, the amount of sulfur in the ash is increased relative to the amount that would be produced by combustion of the coal without applying the powder sorbent composition.

A method for reducing sulfur gases and/or mercury released into the atmosphere upon combustion of a coal containing sulfur and/or mercury comprising:

• applying a powder sorbent composition onto the coal,
• delivering a combustible fuel composition consisting of the applied powder sorbent composition and the sulfur-containing coal into the furnace;
• and
• combusting the coal in the furnace with the powder sorbent composition applied to produce heat energy and ash,
• wherein the powder sorbent composition comprises
• Portland cement,
• at least one water soluble chlorine containing inorganic compound,
• calcium oxide,
• optionally an aluminosilicate clay, and
• an alkali metal salt selected from the group consisting of sodium silicate, potassium silicate, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, sodium oxide, and potassium oxide,
• wherein upon combustion of the coal to release its heat energy, the amount of sulfur in the ash is increased relative to the amount that would be produced by combustion of the coal without applying the powder sorbent composition.

A method for reducing the sulfur gases released in the atmosphere upon combustion of sulfur-containing coal in a furnace, the method comprising

• applying a liquid sorbent and a powder sorbent onto the sulfur-containing coal, wherein the liquid sorbent comprises water and solids, the solids comprising at least one soluble salt selected from the group consisting of soluble metal nitrates and soluble metal nitrites and the powder sorbent comprises calcium to make a combustible fuel composition consisting of the sulfur-containing coal and the applied sorbents;
• delivering the combustible fuel composition into the furnace;
• and
• combusting the combustible fuel composition in the furnace to produce heat energy and ash,
• wherein upon combustion of the coal to release its heat energy, the amount of sulfur in the ash is increased relative to the amount that would be produced by combustion of the coal without applying the liquid sorbent and powder sorbent.