Effects of CO and CO(2) on the Removal of Elemental Mercury over Carbonaceous Surfaces

[Image: see text] Coal gasification is a popular method for the optimization of coal utilization and the reduction of environmental pollutant emissions. However, the reductive atmosphere of its products is disadvantageous for removing elemental mercury (Hg(0)). Activated cokes (AC) was employed in this work for mercury capture in a reducing atmosphere. The high-temperature heating decreases the mercury-removal capability of carbon sorbents because the carbonaceous surface is becoming oxygen-depleted and micropore-decreased after the heating treatment. The mechanism of mercury adsorption in pure nitrogen follows the Mars–Maessen mechanism over the carbon sorbents. To identify the effects of carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO(2)) on Hg(0) removal, the Hg(0)-adsorption and thermal desorption experiments were carried in a fixed-bed reaction system. CO inhibits both the chemisorption and physisorption of Hg(0). CO(2) competes for the active sites, lactone groups and hydroxyl groups, and occupies the micropores, which is beneficial to adsorb Hg(0) physically. When CO and CO(2) coexisted, the removal efficiencies show steadier than those in monocomponent gas (only CO or CO(2)). CO(2) can resist the negative effect of CO on Hg(0) removal, to some extent, because CO(2) can inhibit the oxidation and disproportionation of CO. This experimental study provides practical guidance for the development of mercury-removal technology with carbon materials in the coal gasification plant.