Mercury Capture Using Activated Carbon Injection

Mercury Capture using Activated Carbon Injection is one of the most effective and cost-efficient methods currently available for removing mercury and complying with the Clean Air Mercury Rule (CAMR). CFD modeling during the design process is essential to developing a system that will meet regulations while keeping sorbent and maintenance costs to a minimum.

CFD model tracks the trajectory and velocity of carbon particles from the lances to the ESP.

Activated Carbon Injection (ACI) systems remove mercury from the flue gas by injecting activated carbon upstream of either a baghouse or ESP.

The efficiency and expense of an individual activated carbon mercury capture system depends on several factors:

Injection lance design and placement
Distribution of the sorbent
Temperature and velocity of the flue gas that carries the sorbent

CFD modeling of an activated carbon mercury capture system can help:

Ensure uniform sorbent distribution
Maximize sorbent residence times
Determine optimal sorbent feed rates
Determine the optimum lance quantity, design and location
Optimize duct layout
Ensure proper mixing within the flue gas stream for maximum adsorption and capture efficiency

Total velocity of particles leaving lances.

Field testing of the duct system can help:

Quantify flow distribution
Determine temperature profile
Assess ash erosion potential