Abstract: A method for removing mercury from flue gases generated by the combustion of coal comprises: storing a starter batch of activated carbon in an agglomerated state; de-agglomerating the starter batch in a separation device to create a contact batch of activated carbon; transporting the contact batch to a contact location; injecting the contact batch into contact with the flue gas at a contact location having a temperature between 400° F. and 1100° F., whereupon the activated carbon of the contact batch adsorbs mercury from the flue gas; and removing the activated carbon having mercury adsorbed thereon from the flue gas. The transporting step is conducted with substantially no intermediate storage of the contact batch following the de-agglomeration of the starter batch to prevent re-agglomeration of the activated carbon prior to injection.

Abstract: Two new classes of catalysts for the removal of heavy metal contaminants, especially mercury (Hg) from effluent gases. Both of these classes of catalysts are excellent absorbers of HCl and Cl2 present in effluent gases. This adsorption of oxidizing agents aids in the oxidation of heavy metal contaminants. The catalysts remove mercury by oxidizing the Hg into mercury (II) moieties. For one class of catalysts, the active component is selected from the group consisting of iridium (Ir) and iridum-platinum (Ir/Pt) alloys. The Ir and Ir/Pt alloy catalysts are especially corrosion resistant. For the other class of catalyst, the active component is partially combusted coal or “Thief” carbon impregnated with Cl2. Untreated Thief carbon catalyst can be self-activating in the presence of effluent gas streams. The Thief carbon catalyst is disposable by means of capture from the effluent gas stream in a particulate collection device (PCD).

Abstract: A composite comprising an inorganic substrate with a coating comprising activated carbon and a metal sulfide. The composite may be used, for example, for the removal of a contaminant, such as mercury, from a fluid stream.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, without limitation, are activated carbon honeycomb catalyst beds and systems for removing mercury and other toxic metals from a process stream, i.e, from flue gas of a coal combustion system. The activated carbon honeycomb can for example remove greater than 90% mercury from flue gas with a simple design and without adding material to the flue gas. Also disclosed herein, and without limitation, are methods for manufacturing and using the disclosed honeycomb catalyst beds and systems.

Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein relates to a method of reducing an amount of mercury discharged to an environment in a flue gas (12) generated by combustion of a fuel source. The method includes contacting the flue gas with a moist pulverous material upstream of a particle separator (24), mixing powdered activated carbon (PAC) in an amount between about 0.5 lb/MMacf and 10 lbs/MMacf with the flue gas (12) upstream of the particle separator (24), wherein the PAC interacts with at least a portion of mercury containing compounds in the flue gas (12), and separating the mercury containing compounds from the flue gas (12) containing the moist pulverous material and PAC, thereby reducing an amount of mercury in the flue gas (12).

Abstract: A sorbent composition comprising a vanadium compound and a ZrO2 support material is disclosed. Methods of making and using the composition to remove heavy metals or heavy metal containing compounds from a fluid stream are also provided. Such methods are particularly useful in the removal of mercury and mercury compounds from flue gas streams produced from the combustion of hydrocarbon-containing materials such as coal and petroleum fuels.

Abstract: Toxic substances such as heavy metals are extracted from a medium using a sorbent composition. The composition is derived by sulfidation of red mud, which contains hydrated ferric oxides derived from the Bayer processing of bauxite ores. Exemplary sulfidizing compounds are H2S, Na2S, K2S, (NH4)2S, and CaSx. The sulfur content typically is from about 0.2 to about 10% above the residual sulfur in the red mud. Sulfidized red mud is an improved sorbent compared to red mud for most of the heavy metals tested (Hg, Cr, Pb, Cu, Zn, Cd, Se, Th, and U). Unlike red mud, sulfidized red mud does not leach naturally contained metals. Sulfidized red mud also prevents leaching of metals when mixed with red mud. Mixtures of sulfidized red mud and red mud are more effective for sorbing other ions, such as As, Co, Mn, and Sr, than sulfidized red mud alone.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for removing mercury from a gas stream comprising contacting the gas stream with a getter composition comprising bromine, bromochloride, sulphur bromide, sulphur dichloride or sulphur monochloride and mixtures thereof. In one preferred embodiment the getter composition is adsorbed onto a sorbent. The sorbent may be selected from the group consisting flyash, limestone, lime, calcium sulphate, calcium sulfite, activated carbon, charcoal, silicate, alumina and mixtures thereof. Preferred is flyash, activated carbon and silica.

Abstract: Sorbents for removal of mercury and other pollutants from gas streams, such as a flue gas stream from coal-fired utility plants, and methods for their manufacture and use are disclosed. The methods include injecting fluid cracking catalyst particles into a flue gas stream.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatuses for removing aerosols and, in some cases, vapor phase contaminants, such as mercury, from a gas stream. One method is directed to the removal of additional aerosols from a gas stream from which aerosols have previously been removed by using a screen in combination with a primary aerosol collection device. Another method is directed to the removal of both aerosols and vapor phase contaminants by using a sorbent in combination with a screen. Another method is directed to the removal of vapor phase contaminants by using a catalyst to convert the contaminant to a form that is more easily removed from the gas stream and optionally injecting a chemical to increase the rate of conversion. The invention also provides various apparatuses for use in performing the various methods of the invention.

Abstract: A system for treating a contaminated gas stream is provided that includes a comminution device 204 operable to effect size reduction of a plurality of sorbent particles and form a plurality of comminuted particles, a plurality of nozzles 224 distributed through the gas stream and operable to introduce the plurality of comminuted particles into the gas stream, and a particle removal device 104 operable to remove at least most of the introduced comminuted particles and form a treated gas stream. The comminution device is in direct fluid communication with the nozzles.

Abstract: A system for use in the treatment of contaminated fluid is provided. The system includes a source from which contaminated fluid may be introduced into the system, and a reservoir for an adsorbent material designed to remove contaminants from the fluid. The system also includes a reactor within which the adsorbent material and the contaminated fluid may be accommodated for treatment. A separation device may further be included for removing spent adsorbent materials from the system. A method for treating contaminated fluid is also provided.

Abstract: A method of removing mercury from flue gases from combustion plants, such as for example power plants or waste incineration plants, is achieved in which mercury-containing flue gases are brought into contact with an adsorption reagent either directly or indirectly by being contained in an absorption reagent, whereby mercury is substantially adsorbed by the adsorption reagent during this contact. After adsorption has occurred the adsorption reagent is separated from the flue gases and subsequently from the absorption reagent and added to an aqueous solution containing an oxidizing agent, whereby the adsorbed mercury dissolves as Hg2+. The Hg2+-containing solution is subsequently separated from the adsorption agent and the Hg2+ then is removed from the solution. This method enables the mercury to be removed from flue gas in a simple and economical manner.

Abstract: A bromination process includes contacting fly ash with liquid bromine to increase the mercury adsorbing ability of the fly ash. The resultant brominated fly ash can be used to adsorb mercury in a high temperature combustion gas.

Abstract: A process, system and sorbent for removal of mercury from a combustion exhaust gas stream in a combustion exhaust gas purification scheme that includes a combustion exhaust scrubber system that uses an aqueous liquid to remove acid gases from the combustion exhaust gas. A powdered mercury sorbent is used. The sorbent is introduced into the aqueous scrubber liquid in the scrubber system. After introduction of the mercury sorbent into the scrubber liquid, at least some of the mercury sorbent is separated from the scrubber liquid.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, without limitation, are activated carbon honeycomb catalyst beds and systems for removing mercury and other toxic metals from a process stream, i.e, from flue gas of a coal combustion system. The activated carbon honeycomb can for example remove greater than 90% mercury from flue gas with a simple design and without adding material to the flue gas. Also disclosed herein, and without limitation, are methods for manufacturing and using the disclosed honeycomb catalyst beds and systems.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is method and envelope structure for handling gas diffusion of airships and other balloons to significantly decrease, respectively fully eliminate envelope diffusion of gases through envelopes of airships and other balloons. During the method according to the invention the gases diffused through the envelope (8, 9) of airships and other balloons are collected into a separator space (2). These gases are separated from the mixture of this separator space by physical and/or chemical action and forwarded back to their sources. The invention is further an envelope structure for handling gas diffusion of airships and other balloons for applying methods according to the invention.

Abstract: A system for removing mercury from combustion gas. The system includes a combustion device, a stack, and a duct system that couples the combustion device to the stack. The system further comprises an injection system that is coupled to the duct system. The injection system injects sorbents including alkali-based sorbents and carbon-based sorbents into the duct system.

Abstract: An improved filtration apparatus, filtering method and filtering material for capturing mercury and other pollutants in pollutant-laden fluid streams such as flue gases generated by process gas streams are disclosed. The improved filtration system may include two pollutant remediation layers, an upstream layer capable of filtering particulates and a downstream layer capable of adsorbing and/or catalyzing pollutants such as mercury, dioxin, furans, and NOx. The improved filtration system may be in the form of a particulate filter bag. The particulate filter bag may be configured for use in a reverse air filtration system with the upstream layer facing an internal volume of the bag. The upstream layer may include an ePTFE layer laminated to the upstream side of the upstream layer.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for removing heavy metals from a hydrocarbon gas stream by contacting the hydrocarbon gas stream, which contains a heavy metal and less than 10 ppm oxidizing compounds, with a composition containing a molecular sieve and sulfur resulting in a treated stream containing less heavy metal than the hydrocarbon gas stream; wherein the molecular sieve contains alumina, silica, and iron, and optionally copper and zinc. Optionally, the hydrocarbon gas stream can also contain a sulfur compound.

Abstract: A process and system for recovering waste heat from a kiln used for lime or cement production. The system unifies the kiln, a waste heat recovery and power generation circuit and a dry scrubber for scrubbing the pollutants from the kiln offgas. Essentially, the system employs the boiler component of the waste heat recovery and power generation circuit as a heat exchanger to recover the waste heat from the kiln, which is used to drive the steam turbines. The heat absorption from the latter stage lowers the temperature of the kiln offgas sufficiently for optimum performance from the scrubber. The presence of lime particles in the offgas effectively protects the boiler tube surfaces from corrosion which would occur at optimum scrubber temperatures, and subsequently provides the lime required as a scrubbing medium for the dry scrubber. Further, the efficient scrubbing allows for the use of any fuel for firing the kiln inclusive of high sulphur content compounds.

Abstract: Plate systems and methods of using them. The plate systems may be used, for example, for the removal of metallic or semi-metallic contaminants from a fluid stream.

Abstract: A method of adsorbing mercury includes the use of silver nanodots formed on chabazite as a sorbent. The silver nanodots may be formed on chabazite by ion-exchange followed by activation.

Abstract: There are provided methods and processes that employ a mercury-adsorbing granular material as a sorbent to remove mercury from fluids. The fluids can be waste fluids that result from manufacturing, processing, or other treatment processes or systems. The fluids can also be fluids that are treated in their natural state. The fluids to be treated may include water, air, sludge, slurries, gases from processing or furnaces flues, gaseous flows, liquid flows, and other gases and liquids. In one excellent form of the invention, the mercury-adsorbing material includes taconite tailings.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating a coal combustion flue gas. In one embodiment, the method includes injecting a halogen into a flue gas, and injecting partially combusted, carbon enriched alkaline coal ash solid particles into the flue gas ahead of a particulate collection device. In another embodiment, the method includes exposing partially combusted, carbon enriched alkaline coal ash solid particles to a halogen containing atmosphere, and injecting the halogen atmosphere treated alkaline carbon containing solid particles into the flue gas ahead of a particulate collection device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to use of carbon-based sorbents such as activated carbon for controlling vapor phase mercury emissions in coal-fired power plant flue gases or waste incineration flue gases. The invention features new methods that improve the performance of carbonaceous sorbents for mercury control compared to the previous methods. One method consists of injecting the sorbent (consisting of at least some carbonaceous material) into the flue gas where the flue gas temperature is at a value above about 1100° F. and below about 2000° F. The invention also consists of injecting the sorbent within or upstream of an economizer section in a coal-fired power boiler. Injecting the sorbent at the locations indicated above, rather than further downstream, provides increased residence time for contact between the flue gas and the sorbent resulting in increased mercury capture, improved sorbent utilization, and improved fly ash properties.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and methods for removing heavy metals and heavy metal-containing compounds from fluid streams. The invention also provides new uses and methods for removing heavy metals and heavy metal-containing compounds from a natural gas stream, or a gas stream produced during the combustion or gasification of a fossil fuel, such as coal or petroleum fuels or oil.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of a copper oxide adsorbent to remove mercury from a feed stream. When the feed stream is low in sulfur content, a sulfidation agent such as hydrogen sulfide should be added to the feed stream.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are described for removing a contaminant, such as a vaporous trace metal contaminant like mercury, from a gas stream. In one embodiment, a primary particulate collection device that removes particulate matter is used. In this embodiment, a sorbent filter is placed within the housing of the primary particulate collection device, such as an electrostatic precipitator or a baghouse, to adsorb the contaminant of interest. In another embodiment, a sorbent filter is placed within or after a scrubber, such as a wet scrubber, to adsorb the contaminant of interest. In some embodiments, the invention provides methods and apparatuses that can advantageously be retrofit into existing particulate collection equipment. In some embodiments, the invention provides methods and apparatuses that in addition to removal of a contaminant additionally remove particulate matter from a gas stream.

Abstract: Filtration materials comprising heat-treated metal-doped precipitated silica or silica gel materials with sulfur-containing functional silane surface treatments are provided. Such materials exhibit excellent mercury removal properties from flue gas emissions through the trapping of mercury vapors within a smokestack (or other like site). The metal dopant and the sulfur-containing functional silane components applied to the surface of the target metal-doped gels effectuate the desired mercury reactions to permit capture thereof. In combination, such components permit versatile utilization in either a fixed bed configuration or through a dynamic mercury removal procedure. Methods of using and specific filter apparatuses are also encompassed within this invention.

Abstract: Toxic substances such as heavy metals are extracted from a medium using a sorbent composition. The sorbent composition is derived by sulfidation of red mud, which contains hydrated ferric oxides derived from the Bayer processing of bauxite ores. Exemplary sulfidizing compounds are H2S, Na2S, K2S, (NH4)2S, and CaSx. The sulfur content typically is from about 0.2 to about 10% above the residual sulfur in the red mud. Sulfidized red mud is an improved sorbent compared to red mud for most of the heavy metals tested (Hg, Cr, Pb, Cu, Zn, Cd, Se, Th, and U). Unlike red mud, sulfidized red mud does not leach naturally contained metals. Sulfidized red mud also prevents leaching of metals when mixed with red mud. Mixtures of sulfidized red mud and red mud are more effective for sorbing other ions, such as As, Co, Mn, and Sr, than sulfidized red mud alone.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling mercury emissions in the gas stream from a fuel fired system includes a chamber for creating dissociated halogen to be supplied to the gas stream, with or without carbonaceous material.

Abstract: A method to reduce mercury in gas emissions from the combustion of coal is disclosed. Mercury emissions can be reduced by staging combustion process and/or reducing boiler excess oxygen. Fly ash formed under combustion staging conditions is more reactive towards mercury than fly ash formed under typical combustion conditions. Reducing boiler excess oxygen can also improve ability of fly ash to adsorb mercury.

Abstract: A method for managing the use of flow-through monolithic sorbents for the sorption of a trace contaminant from a fluid stream, which comprises: providing two or more flow-through monolithic sorbents having a trace contaminant sorbed thereon, wherein the flow-through monolithic sorbents are positioned in an initial series to allow for passing a fluid stream from an upstream inlet end of the series to a downstream outlet end of the series; removing an inlet end portion of the flow-through monolithic sorbents from the inlet end position of the series; moving a downstream portion of the flow-through monolithic sorbents from a downstream position in the series to the inlet end position of the series; and placing a replacement flow-through monolithic sorbent portion in a downstream position of the series.

Abstract: A method of reducing particulate matter and mercury emissions in a combustion flue gas includes, in an exemplary embodiment, combusting a fuel resulting in generation a flue gas flow, cooling the flue gas flow within a duct, positioning a flow conditioning apparatus within the duct, enhancing a reaction rate of the mercury and carbon-containing fly ash particles by directing the flue gas flow through the flow conditioning apparatus to mix the carbon-containing fly ash particles and mercury within the flue gas flow and to facilitate at least one of oxidation of the mercury and binding the mercury to the carbon-containing fly ash particles, collecting a portion of the carbon-containing fly ash particles in the flow conditioning apparatus, and directing the flue gas flow to a particulate collection device to remove the remaining portion of the fly ash particles from flue gas flow.

Abstract: Production of coke and activated carbon from coal products, including the production of low ash coal and activated carbon products from coal products, and the production of very low ash coke and activated carbon products from coal products.

Abstract: A method for reducing heavy metals, in particular in mercury, present in flue gases, includes the step of bringing the flue gases into contact with a particular class of sorbent material in the dry state. A preferred class of dry sorbent materials can be provided from a mineral compound selected from among halloysites and phyllosilicates of the palygorskite subgroup and the sepiolite subgroup of the palygorskite-sepiolite group according to the Dana classification. Mineral compounds of this group have been shown to provide a reduction in heavy metals, in particular in mercury, present in flue gases.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing bentonite sorbents for removal of pollutants including mercury from gas streams, such as a flue gas stream from coal-fired utility plants are disclosed. The methods include mixing bentonite sorbent particles with a sulfide salt and a metal salt to form a metal sulfide on the outer surface of the bentonite sorbent particles.

Abstract: Sorbents for removal of mercury and other pollutants from gas streams, such as a flue gas stream from coal-fired utility plants, and methods for their manufacture and use are disclosed. The methods include injecting fluid cracking catalyst particles mixed with modified fly ash particles into a flue gas stream.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing purifying vaporizable contaminants such as mercury from a particulate material. Particulate material is first contacted with heated gases to vaporize the contaminants and entrain the material in the gases. The gases are directed to a first dust collector to remove the entrained particulates, after which a sorbent or chemical reagent is injected in the gases to interact with the contaminants and form a contaminant containing product that is entrained in the gases. The product is then separated from the gases in a second collector.

Abstract: A method for removal of mercury from a gaseous stream containing the mercury, hydrogen and/or CO, and hydrogen sulfide and/or carbonyl sulfide in which a dispersed Cu-containing sorbent is contacted with the gaseous stream at a temperature in the range of about 25° C. to about 300° C. until the sorbent is spent. The spent sorbent is contacted with a desorbing gaseous stream at a temperature equal to or higher than the temperature at which the mercury adsorption is carried out, producing a regenerated sorbent and an exhaust gas comprising released mercury. The released mercury in the exhaust gas is captured using a high-capacity sorbent, such as sulfur-impregnated activated carbon, at a temperature less than about 100° C. The regenerated sorbent may then be used to capture additional mercury from the mercury-containing gaseous stream.

Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein relates to a method of reducing an amount of mercury discharged to an environment in a flue gas (12) generated by combustion of a fuel source. The method includes contacting the flue gas with a moist pulverous material upstream of a particle separator (24), mixing powdered activated carbon (PAC) in an amount between about 0.5 lb/MMacf and 10 lbs/MMacf with the flue gas (12) upstream of the particle separator (24), wherein the PAC interacts with at least a portion of mercury containing compounds in the flue gas (12), and separating the mercury containing compounds from the flue gas (12) containing the moist pulverous material and PAC, thereby reducing an amount of mercury in the flue gas (12).

Abstract: A method for reducing mercury emissions in combustion flue gas is provided. The method includes combusting coal such that a flue gas flow is created. The flue gas flow includes at least mercury and carbon-containing fly ash. The method further includes cooling the flue gas flow within a duct and creating turbulence in the flue gas flow. The mercury is removed from the flue gas flow.

Abstract: Provided herein are adsorbents and methods of using the adsorbents to at least partially remove one or more adsorbates. In an aspect, an adsorbate within a phase is at least partially removed by providing an adsorbent material and contacting the adsorbent material with the phase having an adsorbate, to at least partially remove the adsorbate. Various adsorbents are disclosed having the chemical formula RE1-x-y-zBxB?yB?zOw, where RE is RE is a rare earth metal, B is a trivalent metal ion, B? is a transition metal ion or an alkaline earth element, B? is a transition metal ion, 0?x?0.25, 0?y?0.95, 0?z?0.75, w is a number which results in charge balance, and x+y+z<1.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to a process for treating a flue gas stream (22) from a coal-fired boiler to reduce the amount of mercury contained therein. The process includes subjecting the flue gas stream (22) to a first wet scrubbing process for reducing the concentration of sulfur oxides therein and thereby producing a water-saturated flue gas stream (22) and subjecting the water-saturated flue gas stream to a second wet scrubbing process having an aqueous acidic solution comprising hydrogen peroxide to produce a flue gas having a reduced mercury content.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods, apparatus, and compositions for removing mercury gas from coal combustion emissions and the like. Disclosed herein is a gettering composition comprising an activated montmorillonite clay, a method for removing mercury from a gas stream using the gettering composition, and an apparatus for removing mercury from a gas stream.

Abstract: A method of removing mercury from flue gases from combustion plants, such as for example power plants or waste incineration plants, is achieved in which mercury-containing flue gases are brought into contact with an adsorption reagent either directly or indirectly by being contained in an absorption reagent, whereby mercury is substantially adsorbed by the adsorption reagent during this contact. After adsorption has occurred the adsorption reagent is separated from the flue gases and subsequently from the absorption reagent and added to an aqueous solution containing an oxidizing agent, whereby the adsorbed mercury dissolves as Hg2+. The Hg2+-containing solution is subsequently separated from the adsorption agent and the Hg2+ then is removed from the solution. This method enables the mercury to be removed from flue gas in a simple and economical manner.

Abstract: A method for removing mercury from flue gases generated by the combustion of coal comprises: storing a starter batch of activated carbon in an agglomerated state; de-agglomerating the starter batch in a separation device to create a contact batch of activated carbon; transporting the contact batch to a contact location; injecting the contact batch into contact with the flue gas at a contact location having a temperature between 400° F. and 1100° F., whereupon the activated carbon of the contact batch adsorbs mercury from the flue gas; and removing the activated carbon having mercury adsorbed thereon from the flue gas. The transporting step is conducted with substantially no intermediate storage of the contact batch following the de-agglomeration of the starter batch to prevent re-agglomeration of the activated carbon prior to injection.

Abstract: In a method for removing NOx from the flue gas using a coal water slurry, other carbon containing fuel and water, or unburned carbon existing in the furnace itself due to continuing combustion, the ratio of carbon to water is adjusted so that a portion of the carbon forms activated carbon after injection of the fuel slurry into the flue gas. The activated carbon is then available to collect mercury chloride from the flue gas which has been formed through the enhancement of the mercury and chlorine oxidation reaction, enhanced through the heterogeneous reaction mechanism of this same activated carbon in the primary combustion fuel.

Abstract: The invention presents a device for the removal of elemental mercury from flue gas streams utilizing a layer of activated carbon particles contained within the filter fabric of a filter bag for use in a flue gas scrubbing system.