Mercury speciation in gypsums produced from flue gas desulfurization by temperature programmed decomposition

Temperature programmed decomposition was used to identify mercury (Hg) species in gypsum samples produced from flue gas desulfurization in two Spanish power stations (A and B). As stricter emission control/reduction policies, particularly those focusing on Hg, are being implemented, wet flue gas desulfurization (FGD) technologies used for the removal of SO2 can result in the co-removal of highly-soluble oxidized Hg. The amount of Hg retained in FGD products may increase in the future if these units are optimized for co-capture. For this reason, it is important to identify the mercury species in FGD products not only to determine the potential risk when the wastes are finally disposed of, but also to understand the behaviour of mercury during combustion and therefore to improve the technologies for mercury removal. Different mercury species were identified in the gypsum samples. In power station A, HgS were the most probable Hg species, whereas in power station B the main compound was Hg halogenated compounds.