Polydithiocarbamic Polymer Additive for Mercury Capture in Flue Gas Desulfurization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for capturing mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants, particularly in wet flue gas desulfurization systems, face challenges in preventing the re-emission of ionic mercury due to reactions in the scrubber liquor, leading to incomplete removal and increased operational costs.
Innovation Solution
The use of water-soluble ethylene dichloride-ammonia polymers containing dithiocarbamate salt groups, which are added to the scrubber liquor to prevent the re-emission of mercury by forming stable complexes with ionic mercury, thereby enhancing the mercury capture efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wet flue gas desulfurization systems are used to capture mercury, then mercury capture efficiency is improved, but ionic mercury re-emissions occur due to reactions in the scrubber liquor
Solution Approach 1:
A polymer additive is introduced as an intermediary substance in the scrubber liquor that forms stable complexes with ionic mercury, preventing its re-emission. The polymer acts as a mediator that binds mercury ions through coordination chemistry, eliminating the harmful re-emission effect while preserving the beneficial mercury capture function.
Solution Approach 2:
The chemical composition parameters of the scrubber liquor are modified by adding the polymer additive. This changes the chemical environment from one that allows mercury re-emission to one that stabilizes ionic mercury through complexation, thereby resolving the contradiction between capture efficiency and re-emission prevention.
2Ease of operation
If conventional scrubber liquor is used, then operational simplicity is maintained, but mercury removal is incomplete due to re-emission
Solution Approach 1:
The polymer additive enables the scrubber system to self-stabilize mercury in the liquor phase. Once added, the polymer continuously binds any ionic mercury that forms, providing ongoing protection against re-emission without requiring additional operational intervention or complex control systems.
3Quantity of substance
If no polymer additive is used, then operational cost is reduced, but mercury capture efficiency decreases due to re-emission
Solution Approach 1:
The polymer additive is used in small quantities as a consumable chemical agent that continuously prevents mercury re-emission. Although it requires ongoing addition to the scrubber liquor, the low dosage and simple addition process make it a cost-effective solution compared to the losses from inefficient mercury capture without the additive.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The polymer effectively reduces mercury levels in the flue gas to below detectable limits, demonstrating a significant improvement in mercury capture efficiency and operational cost reduction by stabilizing ionic mercury in the scrubber liquor.
Implementation Method 1
The use of water-soluble ethylene dichloride-ammonia polymers containing dithiocarbamate salt groups, which are added to the scrubber liquor to prevent the re-emission of mercury by forming stable complexes with ionic mercury
Implementation Method 2
demonstrating a significant improvement in mercury capture efficiency and operational cost reduction by stabilizing ionic mercury in the scrubber liquor
Data Source
AI summary
A method for the reduction of the emission of mercury into the environment from the burning of fossil fuels with the use of polydithiocarbamic compounds. The polydithiocarbamic compounds are used for the capture of mercury from the resulting flue gases using a flue gas desulfurization systems or scrubbers. The method uses polydithiocarbamic compounds in conjunction with a scrubber to capture mercury and reduce its emission and/or re-emission with stack gases. The method is a unique process of reducing the toxic levels of mercury, which allows for the use of coal as a clean and environmentally friendlier fuel source.