Sorbent Activation Process
Partnering with EPRI, AEP, and GRE, E1E is developing the sorbent activation process (SAP) mercury control technology with the potential to save the industry over $500 million/yr, and to bring the technology to pre-commercial status. The technology would reduce the cost of activated carbon; a sorbent used to capture mercury, by as much as one-half, and could be used to generate other sorbents and chemicals that capture hazardous air pollutants (HAPS) in addition to mercury. The base concept has been proven in pilot tests and on a small sized boiler with two coals, but only for a short duration. Hennepin Project also has proven good results as compared with commercial AC. The next step – larger scale and with Texas Lignite coal and site characteristics, as well as optimization with finer grind coal of the process will enable EPRI to develop this technology to a state where it can be turned over to commercializes for final demonstrations of its mercury capture capabilities on a schedule commensurate with the promulgation of federal Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) standards for electricity generation units.
