Emission and Control of Trace Elements from Coal-Derived Gas Streams presents an up-to-date and focused analysis on Trace element (TEs) emissions and control strategies during coal utilization. This book provides insights into how TE’s in coal are distributed from different coal-forming periods, coal ranks and coal-bearing regions. As the emission and control of TEs during coal utilization are a significant concern, this book introduces TEs in coal and pollution in an accessible way before discussing why they occur and how they are distributed during various stages of coal forming, also considering various regions and countries. Specific types of TEs in relation to partition in coal combustion, coal fires, gasification and coal feed furnace are then analyzed, providing the reader with practical knowledge to apply to their own research or projects. This book is an essential reference for energy engineers researching and working in coal technology, with a specific focus on emission control, as well as graduate students and researchers in energy engineering, environmental, thermal and chemical engineering who have an interest in trace element emission and control from coal utilization. Presents characteristics of TE emissions during coal utilization in laboratory-scale experiments, industrial furnaces and power plants Considers different legislation and case studies from various regions and countries Includes contributions from world renowned experts Presents a concise and focused analysis on TE emissions and control strategies

Trace Elements in Coal and Coal Combustion Residues focuses on trace metal chemistry of coal and coal combustion residues. Special emphasis is placed on management of coal combustion residues in electric power plants and the influence of coal and associated residues on soils, plants, water, and animals. Topics covered include a brief summary of research sponsored by Electric Power Research Institute, environmental pollution from coal combustion plants in low-rainfall regions, accumulation of trace elements in freshwater mussels near a power plant, testing to evaluate fossil fuel wastes by chemicals and isotopes, transport of metals from coal piles and ash impoundments, leachability and toxicity of metals in fly ash, and plant absorption of chemicals from ash. The book will be a useful reference for environmental and reclamation consultants, environmental engineers, toxicologists, environmental regulatory personnel, officials with electric power utilities and water treatment plants, and soil scientists.

This essential handbook and ready reference offers a detailed overview of the existing and currently researched technologies available for the control of mercury in coal-derived gas streams and that are viable for meeting the strict standards set by environmental protection agencies. Written by an internationally acclaimed author team from government agencies, academia and industry, it details US, EU, Asia-Pacific and other international perspectives, regulations and guidelines.

The significant and consistent use of coal as a major source for power generation results in the emissions of various hazardous trace elements into the environment. Coupled with the advancement of oxyfuel combustion, a promising CO2 abatement technology, there is a pressing need to fully understand trace element behaviour. Therefore, this research project aims at contributing towards fundamental understanding regarding the mechanisms governing the behaviour of trace elements under the conditions that are typically encountered in brown coal air and oxyfuel combustion. To address literature gaps regarding trace element emissions and partitioning, both laboratory-scale and pilot-scale studies have been conducted. The highlight of these studies is the focused use of brown coals (lignites), e.g. Victorian brown coal (VBC), due to the limited knowledge for these coals which possess distinct properties and burns differently from high-rank coals that have been studied intensively in the literature. In terms of mode of occurrence in the original coal, trace elements in brown coals are mostly organically bound rather than being present in discrete minerals typical to that of other high-rank coals. For these coals, a wide variety of trace elements have been examined, including As, Ba, Be, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sr, V, and Zn. Of these, As and Cr are highlighted as elements of major environmental concern based on their known adverse health and ecological effects. These two elements are studied in greater detail since their speciation affects their toxicity. To accomplish trace element quantification and characterisation for these purposes, a number of advanced analytical instruments and methods were utilised, including inductively-coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), X-ray absorption near-edge structure spectroscopy (XANES), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The scope of this thesis includes firstly establishing and standardising the trace element quantification analysis method, microwave-assisted digestion performed in conjunction with ICP-OES, for accurate communication of the main body results. The laboratory-scale studies, which utilises a drop-tube furnace, then compare the trace element behaviour derived from a VBC to that from a Chinese lignite. For this, the emission dynamics of their respective trace elements during pyrolysis and char oxidation, different stages of the coal combustion process, were studied in both air and oxyfuel gaseous environments. Further to that, the laboratory-scale studies encompass the additional focus on the emission and speciation of As and Cr. For the study on As, three coals of different type and origin were tested for its As valency using the synchrotron-based XANES during coal combustion in air and oxyfuel combustion mode. On the other hand, the novel study on Cr mechanisms for speciation involved monitoring the evolution of Cr species from reacting reagent-grade compounds using in-situ high-temperature XRD. Finally, as means to validate the laboratory-scale results on a larger-scale, the Chinese lignite was then subjected to air combustion in a pilot-scale 30MWth pulverised coal-fired boiler. Here, a side objective of this work was to investigate the effects of using a silica additive on the emissions and partitioning of trace elements in brown coal. The use of fuel additives is commonly adopted by various facilities as they have been proven to inhibit ash slagging and fouling issues, however, their effects on trace element emissions have not been fully documented. Overall, clarifying trace element emissions and partitioning behaviour is of mainstream interest, and this research ultimately provide a clearer picture for the management of trace elements derived from the use of brown coal for power generation.