title: Survey of catalysts for oxidation of mercury in flue gas.
abstract: Methods for removing mercury from flue gas have received increased attention because of recent limitations placed on mercury emissions from coal-fired utility boilers by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency and various states. A promising method for mercury removal is catalytic oxidation of elemental mercury (Hg0) to oxidized mercury (Hg2+), followed by wet flue gas desulfurization (FGD). FGD cannot remove Hg0, but easily removes Hg2+ because of its solubility in water. To date, research has focused on three broad catalyst areas: selective catalytic reduction catalysts, carbon-based materials, and metals and metal oxides. We review published results for each type of catalyst and also present a discussion on the possible reaction mechanisms in each case. One of the major sources of uncertainty in understanding catalytic mercury oxidation is a lack of knowledge of the reaction mechanisms and kinetics. Thus, we propose that future research in this area should focus on two major aspects: determining the reaction mechanism and kinetics and searching for more cost-effective catalyst and support materials.
authors.affiliation: National Energy Technology Laboratory, United States Department of Energy, P.O. Box 10940, MS 58-103A, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15236-0940, USA.
authors.forename: Albert A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Presto
authors.forename: Evan J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Granite
mesh_terms: D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000397:Air Pollution / Q000517:prevention & control; D002384:Catalysis; D003031:Coal; D005740:Gases / Q000737:chemistry; D008628:Mercury / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008670:Metals / Q000737:chemistry; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010087:Oxides / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D003031:Coal; D005740:Gases; D008670:Metals; D010087:Oxides; D008628:Mercury