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Novel adsorbents with low cost and high efficiency that do not produce secondary pollutants are vital for removing gaseous elemental mercury (Hg<sup>0</sup>) from coal-fired power plants. In this study, eight diatomite-based adsorbents were developed and used to remove Hg<sup>0</sup> in a bench-scale fixed-bed reactor. The effects of active substances, reaction temperature, and gas components on the Hg<sup>0</sup> removal performance of diatomite (Dia) and the mechanisms were investigated. After modification, the specific surface area of diatomite increased by 2-to-12 fold, and the Hg<sup>0</sup> removal performance was greatly improved. The Hg<sup>0</sup> removal efficiencies of the adsorbents decreased in the following order: I-Dia > Br-Dia > Cl-Dia. The Hg<sup>0</sup> removal efficiency of CuBr<sub>2</sub>-Dia reached 91% in the simulated flue gas at the optimal reaction temperature (140 °C). The simultaneous presence of O<sub>2</sub> and HCl promoted the Hg<sup>0</sup> removal by CuBr<sub>2</sub>-Dia. NO alone also played a significant role in Hg<sup>0</sup> removal. However, SO<sub>2</sub> exhibited clear inhibitory effect. The average Hg<sup>0</sup> removal efficiencies of CuBr<sub>2</sub>-Dia were 60% under 1200 ppm SO<sub>2</sub>, 87% under 1200 ppm SO<sub>2</sub> + 300 ppm NO, and 93% under 4% O<sub>2</sub> + 1200 ppm SO<sub>2</sub> + 300 ppm NO. The changes in the active adsorption sites caused by NO, and those caused by NO + SO<sub>2</sub> were different and irreversible. During the Hg<sup>0</sup> removal process, Hg<sup>0</sup> was oxidized to the Hg<sup>2+</sup> or Hg<sup>+</sup> species, while Cu<sup>2+</sup> and Br radicals were reduced to Cu<sup>+</sup> and Br<sup>-</sup>, respectively.
Published in: Dialnet (Universidad de la Rioja)
Volume 652, pp. 651-659