Control of MERCURY EMISSIONS from Coal-Fired Electric Utility Boilers.

The article provides an overview of the mercury control technologies aimed at lessening the mercury emissions from coal-fired electric utility boilers in the U.S. The author stressed that mercury emissions from anthropogenic emission sources posed a global threat that needs to be subsided. In response, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proclaimed the Clean Air Mercury Rule to permanently cap and abridge emissions of mercury from coal-fired power plants. Another regulation promulgated is the Clean Air Interstate Rule, which compels further reduction of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides from these power plants. Among the control technologies stressed include flue-gas desulfurization and limestone forced- oxidation.