9
Removal
of Mercury from Coal Gasifier Effluents--TDA
Research, Inc., 12345 West 52nd Avenue, Wheat Ridge, CO
80033-1917; 303-940-2300
Dr.
Gokhan Alpetekin, Principal Investigator, galptekin@tda.com
Mr.
John D. Wright, Business Official, jdwright@tda.com
DOE
Grant No. DE-FG03-02ER83551
Amount:
$100,000
Gasifiers
convert coal into synthesis gas feed streams that can be used in advanced power
cycles to generate electricity and in the production of a wide variety of
chemicals. However, the coal-derived synthesis gas contains a myriad of
trace contaminants that cannot be released to the environment if the
coal-derived syngas is burned to generate power. The removal of these
contaminants is critical for the widespread and environmentally-friendly
utilization of coal. Also, in
chemical production, the contaminants may poison the catalysts used in the
downstream manufacturing processes. This
project will develop a sorbent-based system that can reduce the concentration of
the trace metal contaminants (i.e., mercury, arsenic, selenium, cadmium) to less
than parts per billion levels in the coal-derived synthesis gas.
Phase I will prepare and test sorbent formulations that can effectively
remove mercury under simulated conditions. An
engineering analysis will be performed to identify the feasibility of
integrating the sorbent system into state-of-the-art coal gasification processes
and assess the economics of the proposed application.
Commercial
Applications and Other Benefits
as described by the awardee: The use
of coal-derived synthesis gas in power generation and its conversion into
chemical intermediates and transportation fuels is an emerging market with very
significant commercial potential.