Hg-0 removal performance of magnetic raffinate slag-based sorbents: Mechanism study on oxidation modification

The sulfur-containing carbon-based sorbent was regarded as potential sorbent for the removal of toxic elemental mercury (Hg-0). However, due to its lower reaction temperature and the stronger Hg-0 oxidation capacity of oxides at higher temperature, oxidation modification on sulfur-containing raffinate slag-based sorbents was proposed in the study. The effects of O-2, H2O2 and KMnO4 oxidation modification on Hg-0 removal performance and physicochemical properties of sorbents were investigated. The oxidation modification had little effect on pore structure of sorbents, but mainly affected the content and valence state of sulfur and oxygen elements. Compared with H2O2 oxidation, KMnO4 oxidation was more conducive to forming active lattice oxygen (O-alpha). The valence state of manganese bound with O-alpha influenced Hg-0 capture a lot, and Oa in MnO2 showed strong oxidation capacity to Hg-0. Active S-2(2-) and O-alpha in A850-0.1KMnO(4)-12h sorbent could both promote the Hg-0 removal with HgS and HgO formed in used sorbent. The saturated magnetization of A850-0.1KMnO(4)-12h sorbent was 5.39 emu.g (-1), making it possible to separate mercury-containing sorbents from fly ash. It showed good resistance to low concentration of SO2, and NO could promote its Hg-0 removal ability. Meanwhile, KMnO4 oxidation successfully improved the Hg-0 removal performance at higher reaction temperature and gas hourly space velocity.

Automated summary

The oxidation modification of sulfur-containing raffinate slag-based sorbents was investigated for the removal of Hg-0. The oxidation modification mainly affected the content and valence state of sulfur and oxygen elements in the sorbents. KMnO4 oxidation was found to be more effective in forming active lattice oxygen and promoting Hg-0 removal.