Gas-Phase Elemental Mercury Removal by CeO2 Impregnated Activated Coke

We have studied gas-phase elemental mercury (Hg0) capture by a CeO2 loaded activated coke (AC) using a laboratory-scale fixed-bed reactor under simulated flue gas conditions. Through systematic investigation on the CeO2 loading, temperature, and acid gases such as SO2 and HCl, we have found that the Hg0 capture capability of CeO2/AC was much higher than that of AC alone. Furthermore, we have successfully removed Hg0 by CeO2/AC in the presence of SO2, which is aimed at high-sulfur coal resources. The results showed that the coexistence of SO2 and CeO2 has significantly improved the Hg0 removal efficiency. The Hg0 capture capability of CeO2/AC was 50% higher than that of AC when the concentration of SO2 was 500 ppm. As the SO2 concentration increased to 5000 ppm, the Hg0 capture capability decreased slightly, which indicates the important role of CeO2 in Hg0 oxidation and capture. In addition, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis demonstrates that the Hg captured by CeO2/AC was mainly in the forms of H...