RWE Power operates 33 lignite-fired power plant units in Germany with a total output ofapproximately 10,800 MW. These plants consume 90 million metric tons of RWE mined lignite andproduce 14% of Germany's power.In 1993, RWE developed a sewage sludge co-combustion system in one of their smaller lignite-firedpower plants as a means of generating additional revenue. Municipal sewage sludge contains "higher"levels of mercury than normally found in coals. As a result of burning sewage sludge in the boilers, theclassifications of these boilers changed under German Environmental law and they were required toreduce their mercury emissions.RWE began testing absorbents and injection technologies as a means of reducing mercury emissions.To facilitate efficient and cost-effective mercury control RWE developed a new adsorbent processusing Activated Lignite. This process had been proven to control mercury in waste combustionfacilities but was modified for the coal combustion process. After two years of testing anddevelopment, RWE successfully employed the Activated Lignite HOK? process at the BerrenrathPower Plant in 1999. Not only did RWE develop the adsorbent but they also developed the injectiontechnology. HOK is less expensive then activated carbon and is equally effective. In 2003, the HOKtechnology was added to RWE's Wachtberg power plant.
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