1“Field Test Program to Develop Comprehensive Design, Operating and Cost Data for Mercury Control Systems on Non-Scrubbed Coal-Fired Boilers”

This paper describes a DOE/NETL program being conducted by ADA-ES that represents the U.S. government’s first step toward defining technology platforms for power generating companies to use in meeting new mercury regulations. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on Dec. 14, 2000 that they would develop regulations to reduce the emissions of mercury from coal-fired power plants. Under the contract, ADA-ES will work in partnership with PG&E National Energy Group, Wisconsin Electric Power Company, Alabama Power, and EPRI to design and engineer systems to maximize effectiveness and minimize costs to curtail mercury emissions from power plant flue gases. Reports estimate that mercury control could cost the industry from $2 to $5 billion per year. Much of these costs will be associated with power plants that do not have wet scrubbers as part of their air pollution control configurations. The four plants that will be evaluated during the ADA-ES program are typical of this type of application which is found at 75 % of the nearly 1100 units that would be impacted by new regulations