Simultaneous Removal of SO(2) and Hg(0) by Composite Oxidant NaClO/NaClO(2) in a Packed Tower

[Image: see text] Based on the implementation of the global Minamata Convention, developing an efficient and economical technology for mercury reduction in coal-fired flue gas becomes a hotspot in the field of air pollution control. The composite oxidant NaClO/NaClO(2) combined with limestone was used in the simultaneous removal of SO(2) and Hg(0) in this study, and the three-factor and four-level orthogonal experiments were performed in a packed tower. The influential sequence of various factors on SO(2) and Hg(0) removals was investigated through range analysis of the orthogonal experiments. Results showed that factors affecting desulfurization was C > A > B (liquid–gas ratio > oxidant concentration ratio > initial pH of absorption liquid), while factors affecting Hg(0) removal was A > C > B (oxidant concentration ratio > liquid–gas ratio > initial pH of absorption liquid). Optimum conditions of simultaneous desulfurization and demercuration by NaClO/NaClO(2) were A4B1C4; that is, the oxidant concentration ratio was 10/4 (mmol/L:mmol/L), the initial pH was 5, and the liquid–gas ratio was 18 (L/m(3)). The simultaneous removal efficiencies of SO(2) and Hg(0) reached 99.5 and 85.4% under these optimum conditions, respectively. Analysis of the characteristics of the solid products showed that the main products of the wet oxidation were CaSO(4) and CaSO(3). Analysis of the existing form of oxidized mercury showed that 23% of mercury was in the gypsum, while 77% was in the supernatant. Results of this research would provide a practical reference for promoting the simultaneous removal of SO(2) and Hg(0) by NaClO/NaClO(2) with limestone in industrial application.