Photochemical reactions of mercury
with various constituents in flue gas produced by burningcoal could be an attractive alternative to dry sorbent- or
wet scrubber-based processes for mercurycontrol. The sensitized oxidation of elemental mercury using 253.7-nm ultraviolet radiation hasbeen extensively studied. The photochemistry of elemental mercury in simulated flue gases
wasexamined using quartz flo
w reactors. Mercury-containing simulated flue gases at temperaturesbet
ween 80 and 350
F
were irradiated
with 253.7-nm ultraviolet light. Results are presentedfor the photochemical removal of elemental mercury from simulated flue gases, as
well as fromnitrogen mixtures that contain oxygen,
water vapor, or nitrogen oxide. Optimization of the processparameters, including light intensity, is discussed. The implications of photochemical oxidationof mercury
with respect to direct ultraviolet irradiation of flue gas for mercury control, analysisof gases for mercury content, and atmospheric reactions are discussed.