Beneficial Options for the Pre-Combustion Thermally Treated Subbituminous Coal: Initial Findings

摘要

Pre-combustion thermal treatment of subbituminous and lignite coals has shown promising results in terms of substantial mercury removal, as well as many attendant benefits. Western Research Institute (WRI) in association with the U.S. DOE, North Dakota Industrial Commission, Montana-Dakota Utilities and Alliant Energy, is spearheading a program to develop a technology that differs from other mercury control pathways. In this unique process, mercury species are stripped from coal in a gaseous form before the fuel is pulverized for firing in a furnace. Earlier publications have dealt with the mercury removal capabilities of this patented WRI process. Mercury removals ranged from 65 to 93 percent of the incoming mercury using the WRI process, with or without the use of activated carbon injection.