Mercury Emissions Control from Existing Utility and Industrial Boilers

Industrial, commercial, and institutional (ICI) boilers are one of the major sources of hazardous air pollutants (HAP), including mercury (Hg). Coal-fired electric power plants constitute the largest point source of anthropogenic Hg in the United States. The primary objective of this paper was to address the mercury side of the boiler maximum achievable control technology (MACT) of the national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants (NESHAP). This paper analyzed data collected by a research team at West Virginia University (WVU) as part of a Mercury Emissions Research project. The research focused on solid fuel (coal) fired boilers covered by the industrial boilers MACT. Hg emissions data along with coal and stack analysis were collected through a combination of surveys and personal contact with appropriate individuals at these facilities. The collected data were analyzed to determine the applicability of Hg control technologies to ICI boilers and their emissions reduction capabilities.