Reducing mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants is a long-standing issue as utilities strive to meet emission levels established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Air Mercury Rule. WRI and the University of Wyoming (UW), with Black Hills Corporation (BHC) and Babcock & Wilcox, are testing the effectiveness of adding calcium chloride to coal feed to control mercury emissions.
WRI and UW are conducting a series of tests at the WYGEN power plant site in Gillette, Wyoming, to assess and quantify corrosion caused by calcium chloride on plant components such as ducting, scrubbers, baghouse/ESP, and fans.
A series of corrosion racks have been installed at BHC’s WYGEN station. WRI and UW researchers are also quantifying the multi-pollutant control benefits of the calcium chloride addition on mercury, SO2 and NOx emissions. Demonstrating the successful use of calcium chloride-enriched coal to reduce emissions while also maintaining the working condition of pollution control equipment will provide BHC with a cost-effective option for meeting national mercury control requirements in WYGEN II.
Please contact us for further information on calcium chloride injection in coal feed and other mercury control measures being evaluated by WRI.