Estimating Hg emissions from coal-fired power stations in China

Mercury emissions from Chinese power stations are subject to large uncertainties because Hg speciation data have only been reported for a few stations. This communication presents an evaluation of predicted Hg removals at five Chinese plants based on reaction mechanisms developed and validated for the coals and gas cleaning conditions in the American utility industry. Whereas the reported speciation data represent considerable ranges of coal quality, furnace rating, firing configuration, and flyash collection with both ESPs and fabric filters, mercury removals are predicted within the measurement uncertainties in four of five cases.