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Sorbents for High-Temperature Mercury Removal from Coal-Derived Syngas--TDA Research, Inc., 12345 West 52nd Avenue, Wheat Ridge, CO  80033-1917; 303-940-2300, www.tda.com
Dr. Gokhan Alptekin, Principal Investigator, galptekin@tda.com 
Mr. John D. Wright, Business Official, jdwright@tda.com 
DOE Grant No. DE-FG02-03ER83855
Amount:  $750,000

Gasification technologies convert coal into synthesis gas feed streams that can be used in power cycles for the high-efficiency generation of electricity. However, the coal-derived synthesis gas contains a myriad of trace contaminants, including mercury, which is designated as a hazardous pollutant that cannot be released to the atmosphere.  The cost-effective removal of these contaminants is critical for the successful utilization of coal as a feedstock in advanced power cycles.  This project will develop a sorbent-based system that can reduce the concentration of a major coal pollutant, mercury, to less than parts-per-billion levels in the coal-derived synthesis gas.  Phase I developed a low cost, high capacity sorbent that can remove mercury from elevated temperature, coal-derived synthesis gas.  Also, the technical and economic feasibility of a process using this sorbent, which dramatically reduces the cost of mercury removal, was demonstrated.  Phase II will design and fabricate a prototype test unit to demonstrate the concept at a larger scale.  As a part of these experiments, the effectiveness of the sorbent in the presence of other trace impurities (e.g., H2S, COS , AsH3), which contaminate coal-derived syngas, will be demonstrated.

Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by awardee:  The sorbent-based system should provide cost effective contaminant removal, enabling rapid and widespread implementation of gasification-based advanced power systems.