This is a joint research project of VGB PowerTech together with Gore and major power producers in Europe. The scope of the project has been announced by VGB recently.

Within the framework of the establishment of emission bandwidths in the BREF LCP process (2017), the binding emission limit values for mercury were further reduced compared to the existing limit values. For the power plant operators, there is therefore a need to test suitable mitigation procedures for their plants in order to find the appropriate strategy.

One possibility for the further reduction of mercury could be provided by the GORE technology in which gaseous mercury is deposited and stored by means of chemisorption on a sorbent polymer catalyst. At the same time, a catalytic oxidation of SO2 to sulfuric acid takes place. The sulfuric acid formed emerges from the catalyst material and is rinsed off. The catalyst material can be inserted on modular basis into the head of the FGD scrubber or installed in a downstream tank and could thus serve as the last cleaning stage after the scrubber. The separated mercury is disposed of with the modules.

Within the framework of a VGB joint research project, together with EnBW, LEAG, RWE and Uniper, a test facility with 6 modules is installed and tested at the Schkopau site.

The separation efficiency of the modules with respect to Hg, SO2 and aerosols is to be investigated at different flow rates.

More information can be found on the VGB project website.