Sorbents for coal combustion

• US 10,612,779 B2
• Filed: 04/04/2018
• Issued: 04/07/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nox Ii Ltd. (Arthur J Gallagher & Company)
• Original Assignee: Nox Ii Ltd. (Arthur J Gallagher & Company)
• Inventors: Comrie, Douglas C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Vanoy, Timothy C
• Application Number:
  US15/945,249
• Publication Number:
  US 20180224121A1
• Time in Patent Office: 734 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2253/104 Alumina
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2253/11 Clays
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2257/30 Sulfur compounds
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2257/602 Mercury or mercury compounds
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/04 with stationary adsorbents B01D53/025 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/30 Controlling by gas-analysis apparatus regulating non electrical variables in general G05D
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/485 containing only one sulfur compound other than sulfur oxides or hydrogen sulfide
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/64 Heavy metals or compounds thereof, e.g. mercury
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/78 with gas-liquid contact
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 20/041 Oxides or hydroxides
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 20/043 Carbonates or bicarbonates, e.g. limestone, dolomite, aragonite
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 20/046 containing halogens, e.g. halides
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 20/06 comprising oxides or hydroxides of metals not provided for in group B01J20/04
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 20/12 Naturally occurring clays or bleaching earth
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 20/16 Alumino-silicates B01J20/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2220/42 Materials comprising a mixture of inorganic materials materials coated or impregnated on a carrier B01J20/32
• CPC Class Codes: C10L 10/00 Use of additives to fuels or fires for particular purposes additives for liquid carbonaceous fuels characterised by their chemical nature C10L1/10; using binders for briquetting solid fuels C10L5/10; using additives to improve the combustion of solid fuels C10L9/10
• CPC Class Codes: C10L 10/02 for reducing smoke development
• CPC Class Codes: C10L 9/10 by using additives
• CPC Class Codes: F23J 15/00 Arrangements of devices for treating smoke or fumes
• CPC Class Codes: F23J 15/025 : using filters
• CPC Class Codes: F23J 15/04 : using washing fluids scrubbers for removing solids only F23J15/022
• CPC Class Codes: F23J 7/00 : Arrangement of devices for supplying chemicals to fire
• CPC Class Codes: F23K 1/00 : Preparation of lump or pulverulent fuel in readiness for delivery to combustion apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: F23K 2201/505 : with additives
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 40/10 : Production of cement, e.g. improving or optimising the production methods; Cement grinding
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 423/05 : Automatic, including computer, control

Abstract

Sorbent compositions containing halogen and either nitrates or nitrites are added to coal to mitigate the release of mercury and/or other harmful elements into the environment during combustion of coal containing natural levels of mercury.

Claims

1. A method for reducing emissions of mercury that arise from combustion of mercury-containing fuels, comprising applying a mercury sorbent directly onto the fuel before combustion or directly into a gaseous stream after combustion where the temperature is 1500°

F. to 2700°

F., wherein the mercury sorbent comprises a halogen compound and at least one of a nitrate compound and a nitrite compound.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the mercury sorbent comprises a nitrite compound and a nitrate compound.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the halogen compound comprises a bromine compound.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the halogen compound comprises an iodine compound.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the mercury sorbent comprises a source of calcium.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the mercury sorbent comprises calcium bromide, calcium iodide, calcium nitrate, or calcium nitrite.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising applying a calcium containing sulfur sorbent directly onto the fuel before combustion or directly into a gaseous stream after combustion where the temperature is 1500°

F. to 2700°

F.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the sulfur sorbent comprises calcium oxide, calcium hydroxide, calcium carbonate, calcium bicarbonate, calcium nitrate, calcium nitrite, calcium acetate, calcium citrate, calcium phosphate, calcium hydrogen phosphate, apatite, calcium alkoxylates, or organocalcium compounds.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the sulfur sorbent comprises cement kiln dust, lime kiln dust, or portland cement.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the sulfur sorbent comprises an aluminosilicate clay.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the clay comprises montmorillonite or kaolin.

12. A method for reducing emissions of mercury that arise from combustion of mercury-containing fuel comprising coal, the method comprising applying a mercury sorbent directly onto the mercury-containing fuel comprising coal before combustion or directly into a gaseous stream after combustion where the temperature is 1500°

F. to 2700°

F., wherein the mercury sorbent comprises a halogen compound and at least one of a nitrate compound and a nitrite compound.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the mercury sorbent is applied onto the coal at a coal burning facility.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the mercury sorbent is applied onto the coal at a coal producer.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the halogen compound comprises a bromine compound or an iodine compound.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the mercury sorbent comprises a source of calcium.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the mercury sorbent comprises calcium bromide, calcium iodide, calcium nitrate, or calcium nitrite.

18. The method of claim 12, further comprising applying a calcium containing sulfur sorbent directly onto the fuel before combustion or directly into a gaseous stream after combustion where the temperature is 1500°

F. to 2700°

F., wherein the sulfur sorbent comprises one or more materials selected from the group consisting of calcium oxide, calcium hydroxide, calcium carbonate, calcium bicarbonate, calcium nitrate, calcium nitrite, calcium acetate, calcium citrate, calcium phosphate, calcium hydrogen phosphate, apatite, calcium alkoxylates, organocalcium compound, cement kiln dust, lime kiln dust, and Portland cement.

19. The method of claim 12, further comprising applying a calcium containing sulfur sorbent directly onto the fuel before combustion or directly into a gaseous stream after combustion where the temperature is 1500°

F. to 2700°

F., wherein the sulfur sorbent comprises an aluminosilicate clay.

20. A method for reducing emissions of mercury that arise from combustion of mercury-containing fuel, the method comprising applying a mercury sorbent directly onto the mercury-containing fuel before combustion or directly into a gaseous stream after combustion where the temperature is 1500°

F. to 2700°

F., wherein the mercury sorbent comprises a halogen compound selected from calcium bromide, calcium iodide, and combinations thereof, and at least one of a nitrate compound and a nitrite compound.