MATS Compliance

The power generation industry is faced with strict EPA regulation to control mercury (Hg) and other hazardous air pollutants (HAPs).  Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) were published in the Federal Register in February 2012, for compliance in 2015.  The new standards include limits for Hg, filterable particulate matter to serve as a surrogate for non-Hg metals, and for hydrogen chloride (HCl), with the option to use SO2 as a surrogate for all acid gases.  The Energy Research Center (ERC) has carried out extensive research and performed projects on different aspects of MATS.  The ERC experience, development and capabilities on MATS compliance research include:

  • Chemical kinetics modeling of gas-phase Hg transformations in flue gas.
  • Laboratory studies of oxidants and dry sorbents for Hg control.
  • Laboratory studies of Hg behavior and oxidation across SCR catalysts.
  • Laboratory studies of WFGD scrubber additives for mitigation of Hg re-entrainment.
  • Full-scale boiler optimization for Hg emissions control.
  • Full-scale evaluation of Powdered Activated Carbon (PAC) performance for Hg emissions control.
  • Pilot-scale studies of alternative dry sorbents for Hg control.
  • Optimization of PAC injection grids and sorbent treatment.
  • Study of HCl emissions from utility boilers.
  • Evaluation of condensing heat exchangers for Hg capture.
  • Assessment of the accuracy of Hg continuous emissions monitors (CEMs) and testing reference methods.

Research on MATS emissions compliance at the ERC has been funded by the US DOE, EPA, EPRI, PITA and industrial sponsors such as PPL, Dominion, PacifiCorp, PSE&G, Covanta, Foster Wheeler and Hitachi.

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