The reduction of gas phase air toxics from combustion and incineration sources using the MET–Mitsui–BF activated coke process

Abstract The dry desulfurization, denitrification and air toxics removal process using activated coke (AC) was originally researched and developed during the 1960s by Bergbau Forschung (BF) [Knoblaugh, E. Richter, H. Juntgen, Application of active coke in processes of SO x and NO x removal from flue gases, Fuel 60, September 1981, p. 832.], now called Deutsche Montan Technologies. Mitsui Mining (MMC) signed a licensing agreement with BF in 1982 to investigate, test and adapt the system to facilities in Japan. Japanese regulations are stricter than in the United States toward SO x /NO x pollutants, as well as flyash emissions from the utility industry, oil refineries and other industries. This process is installed on four coal-fired boilers and Fluidized Catalytic Cracker (FCC) units. These plants were constructed by MMC in Japan and Uhde in Germany. Two additional plants on a utility boiler and cement kiln are scheduled to start operation in 1999 and 2000. MMC provided design, equipment supply and installation. Marsulex Environmental Technologies (MET) formerly General Electric Environmental Services (GEESI) signed a license agreement in 1992 with MMC and Mitsui of Tokyo. Under this agreement, MET will market, design, fabricate and install the Mitsui–BF process for flue gas cleaning applications in North America. MMC also developed a technology to produce AC used in the dry DeSO x /DeNO x /Air Toxics removal process based on their own metallurgical coke manufacturing technology. This paper provides information on the details of MMC's AC used in the dry DeSO x /DeNO x /Air Toxics removal process and of the DeSO x /DeNO x /Air Toxics removal process itself.