Overview of mercury removal from flue gas using activated carbon

Mercury (Hg) is a pollutant of concern and dangerous to aquatic and human life. Therefore, mercury emissions from coal-fired power plant, cement manufacture, municipal waste incinerator and others industrial sources are controlled under environmental regulation. Coal-fired power plants are the largest anthropogenic sources that emitted mercury to environment. Mercury control technologies are the methods to reduce the mercury emissions but some of existing pollution abatement technologies are ineffective for the removal of vapor phase mercury. However, the system can be improved when an adsorbent is used. This paper aims to discuss the application of activated carbon as adsorbent in capturing mercury in flue gas and the influence parameters that affect mercury removal.