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Title: Feasibility of mercury removal from simulated flue gas by activated chars made from poultry manures

Author
item Klasson, K Thomas
item Lima, Isabel
item Boihem, Larry
item Wartelle, Lynda

Submitted to: Journal of Environmental Management
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/29/2010
Publication Date: 12/1/2010
Citation: Klasson, K.T., Lima, I.M., Boihem, L.L., Wartelle, L.H. 2010. Feasibility of mercury removal from simulated flue gas by activated chars made from poultry manures. Journal of Environmental Management. 91(12):2466-2470.

Interpretive Summary: Increased concerns about mercury emissions from coal fired electric power plants has resulted in environmental regulations that may in the future require application of activated carbons as mercury sorbents for mercury removal. At the same time, the quantity of poultry manure generated each year is large and technologies that take advantage of the material should be tested. The purpose of the work was to investigate if activated carbons made from different poultry manures could adsorb mercury from home-made flue-gas. In laboratory experiments, activated carbons made from chicken cake and litter removed mercury from the gas as well as a commercial alternative. It was also found that acid-washing these carbons after activation may improve pore structure but does not influence the mercury removal efficiency. Activated carbons were also made from turkey cake and litter. These raw materials produced activated carbons with similar pore structure as those made from chicken manure, but they did not adsorb mercury as well. Acid-washing the turkey-manure-based carbons improved their performance but this step would add to the cost of production. Preliminary evaluations suggest that unwashed activated carbons may cost as little as $0.95/kg to produce.

Technical Abstract: Increased emphasis on reduction of mercury emissions from coal fired electric power plants has resulted in environmental regulations that may in the future require application of activated carbons as mercury sorbents for mercury removal. At the same time, the quantity of poultry manure generated each year is large and technologies that take advantage of the material should be explored. The purpose of the work was to investigate if activated carbons made from different poultry manures could adsorb mercury from simulated flue-gas. In laboratory experiments, activated carbons made from chicken cake and litter removed mercury from the gas as well as a commercial alternative. It was also found that acid-washing these carbons after activation may improve pore structure but does not influence the mercury removal efficiency. Activated carbons were also made from turkey cake and litter. These raw materials produced activated carbons with similar pore structure as those made from chicken manure, but they did not adsorb mercury as well. Acid-washing the turkey-manure-based carbons improved their performance but this step would add to the cost of production. Preliminary evaluations suggest that unwashed activated carbons may cost as little as $0.95/kg to produce.