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A Molten-Salt Pyrolysis Synthesis Strategy toward Sulfur-Functionalized Carbon for Elemental Mercury Removal from Coal-Combustion Flue Gas

Author

Listed:
  • Jianping Yang

    (School of Energy Science and Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China)

  • Hong Xu

    (School of Energy Science and Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China)

  • Fanyue Meng

    (School of Energy Science and Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China)

  • Qingjie Guo

    (State Key Laboratory of High-Efficiency Utilization of Coal and Green Chemical Engineering, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, China)

  • Tao He

    (Shandong Shiheng Thermal Power Co., Ltd., Taian 271600, China)

  • Zequn Yang

    (School of Energy Science and Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China)

  • Wenqi Qu

    (School of Energy Science and Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China)

  • Hailong Li

    (School of Energy Science and Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China)

Abstract

The emission of mercury from coal combustion has caused consequential hazards to the ecosystem. The key challenge to abating the mercury emission is to explore highly efficient adsorbents. Herein, sulfur-functionalized carbon (S-C) was synthesized by using a molten-salt pyrolysis strategy and employed for the removal of elemental mercury from coal-combustion flue gas. An ideal pore structure, which was favorable for the internal diffusion of the Hg 0 molecule in carbon, was obtained by using a SiO 2 hard template and adjusting the HF etching time. The as-prepared S-C with an HF etching time of 10 h possessed a saturation Hg 0 adsorption capacity of 89.90 mg·g −1 , far exceeding that of the commercial sulfur-loaded activated carbons (S/C). The S-C can be applied at a wide temperature range of 25–125 °C, far exceeding that of commercial S/C. The influence of flue gas components, such as SO 2 , NO, and H 2 O, on the Hg 0 adsorption performance of S-C was insignificant, indicating a good applicability in real-world applications. The mechanism of the Hg 0 removal by S-C was proposed, i.e., the reduced components, including sulfur thiophene, sulfoxide, and C-S, displayed a high affinity toward Hg 0 , which could guarantee the stable immobilization of Hg 0 as HgS in the adsorbent. Thus, the molten-salt pyrolysis strategy has a broad prospect in the application of one-pot carbonization and functionalization sulfur-containing organic precursors as efficient adsorbents for Hg 0 .

Suggested Citation

  • Jianping Yang & Hong Xu & Fanyue Meng & Qingjie Guo & Tao He & Zequn Yang & Wenqi Qu & Hailong Li, 2022. "A Molten-Salt Pyrolysis Synthesis Strategy toward Sulfur-Functionalized Carbon for Elemental Mercury Removal from Coal-Combustion Flue Gas," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-15, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:5:p:1840-:d:762467
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Marta Marczak-Grzesik & Stanisław Budzyń & Barbara Tora & Szymon Szufa & Krzysztof Kogut & Piotr Burmistrz, 2021. "Low-Cost Organic Adsorbents for Elemental Mercury Removal from Lignite Flue Gas," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-15, April.
    2. Li Zhao & Yang-wen Wu & Jian Han & Han-xiao Wang & Ding-jia Liu & Qiang Lu & Yong-ping Yang, 2018. "Density Functional Theory Study on Mechanism of Mercury Removal by CeO 2 Modified Activated Carbon," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-13, October.
    3. Ming Li & Hai’en Yang & Hongjun Lu & Tianjiang Wu & Desheng Zhou & Yafei Liu, 2018. "Investigation into the Classification of Tight Sandstone Reservoirs via Imbibition Characteristics," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-13, October.
    4. Nuria Fernández-Miranda & Elena Rodríguez & Maria Antonia Lopez-Anton & Roberto García & Maria Rosa Martínez-Tarazona, 2017. "A New Approach for Retaining Mercury in Energy Generation Processes: Regenerable Carbonaceous Sorbents," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-11, September.
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