Sorbents for coal combustion

• US 8,313,323 B2
• Filed: 01/04/2012
• Issued: 11/20/2012
• 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:
  US13/343,491
• Publication Number:
  US 20120100490A1
• Time in Patent Office: 321 Days
• Field of Search: 431/2, 423/210, 423/242.1, 423/244.01, 423/244.07, 423/DIG.5, 445/05, 446/03, 446/04, 446/20, 446/21, 446/22, 446/24, 422/105, 422/108, 422/111
• US Class Current: 431/2
• 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 calcium are added to coal to mitigate the release of sulfur and/or other harmful elements, including mercury, into the environment during combustion of coal containing natural levels of mercury.

Claims

1. A method of preparing a fuel for combustion, comprising adding a mercury sorbent and a sulfur sorbent onto coal, wherein the mercury sorbent comprises an iodine compound, and wherein the sulfur sorbent comprises an aluminosilicate clay and a basic powder that contains calcium.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the mercury sorbent comprises an iodide.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the mercury sorbent comprises an iodide of an alkali metal or of an alkaline earth metal.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the mercury sorbent comprises an inorganic iodine compound.

5. A fuel composition comprising coal, an added iodine compound, added SiO₂, and added Al₂O₃.

6. A composition according to claim 5, wherein the iodine compound is an inorganic iodine compound.

7. A composition according to claim 5, wherein iodine compound is an iodide.

8. A composition according to claim 5, wherein the coal is pulverized coal.

9. A composition according to claim 5, comprising 0.01-10% by weight of the iodine compound, based on the weight of the coal.

10. A composition according to claim 5, comprising 0.1-1% by weight of the iodine compound, based on the weight of the coal.

11. A method of operating a coal burning facility with lowered emissions of sulfur and mercury into the atmosphere, the method comprising adding sorbent components into the coal burning system during combustion of coal, wherein the sorbent components comprise iodine, silica, alumina, and calcium.

12. A method according to claim 11, comprising adding the sorbent components onto the coal prior to its combustion.

13. A method according to claim 11, wherein the sorbent components comprise one or more of Portland cement, cement kiln dust, lime kiln dust, and aluminosilicate clay.

14. A method according to claim 11, wherein the coal is bituminous coal.

15. A method according to claim 11, wherein the coal is lignite coal.

16. A method according to claim 11, wherein the coal is anthracite coal.