Multi-functional composition of matter for removal of mercury from high temperature flue gas streams

Abstract

A multi-functional composition of matter that is useful for injection into a flue gas stream to rapidly and efficiently remove mercury from the flue gas streams, particularly at above average flue stream temperatures of about 340° F. or higher. The multi-functional composition of matter may include a fixed carbon content of at least about 20 wt. %, a mineral content of from about 20 wt. % to about 50 wt. %, a sum of micropore plus mesopore volume of at least about 0.20 cc/g, a micropore volume to mesopore volume ratio of at least about 0.7, and a tapped density of not greater than about 0.575 g/ml. These compositions may be further characterized by number of particles per gram of the composition of matter such that the composition may have at least about 0.8 billion particles per gram, or even as many as 1.5 billion particles per gram. These physical and chemical properties may enhance (1) the oxidation reaction kinetics for the oxidation of mercury species, (2) frequency of contact events, and (3) capture and sequestration of mercury, to achieve efficient mercury capture by the composition even in high temperature flue gas streams.

1 .- 39 . (canceled) 
     
     
         40 . A gas composition, comprising:
 a multi-functional composition of matter comprising fixed carbon, minerals, and an aqueous-based solubilizing medium, wherein the multi-functional composition of matter comprises a ratio of micropore volume to mesopore volume of least 0.7 and not greater than 1.5; and   at least one contaminant, wherein at least a portion of the contaminant is oxidized by the multi-functional composition of matter.   
     
     
         41 . The gas composition as recited in  claim 40 , wherein the multi-functional composition of matter comprises at least 20 wt. % and not greater than 75 wt. % fixed carbon. 
     
     
         42 . The gas composition as recited in  claim 40 , wherein the multi-functional composition of matter comprises at least 20 wt. % and not greater than 50 wt. % minerals. 
     
     
         43 . The gas composition as recited in  claim 40 , wherein the multi-functional composition of matter comprises at least 3 wt. % and not greater than about 12 wt. % aqueous-based solubilizing medium. 
     
     
         44 . The gas composition as recited in  claim 40 , wherein the at least one contaminant comprises mercury. 
     
     
         45 . The gas composition as recited in  claim 40 , wherein the multi-functional composition of matter has a median particle size not greater than 15, 12, 10, 8, or 5 micron. 
     
     
         46 . The gas composition as recited in  claim 40 , wherein the multi-functional composition of matter has a sum of micropore volume plus mesopore volume that is at least 0.20 cc/g. 
     
     
         47 . The gas composition as recited in  claim 40 , wherein the multi-functional composition of matter has a sum of micropore volume plus mesopore volume that is at least 0.24 cc/g. 
     
     
         48 . The gas composition as recited in  claim 40 , wherein the multi-functional composition of matter has a tapped density that is at least about 0.35 g/ml and is not greater than about 0.575 g/ml. 
     
     
         49 . The gas composition as recited in  claim 40 , wherein the multi-functional composition of matter comprises a ratio of micropore volume to mesopore volume of least 0.9. 
     
     
         50 . The gas composition as recited in  claim 40 , wherein the multi-functional composition of matter comprises at least 1 wt. % and not greater than 15 wt. % of a halogen-containing compound. 
     
     
         51 . The gas composition as recited in  claim 50 , wherein the halogen-containing compound is a bromine salt. 
     
     
         52 . The gas composition as recited in  claim 40 , wherein a nominal number of particles per gram of the multi-functional composition of matter is at least about 0.8 billion. 
     
     
         53 . The gas composition as recited in  claim 40 , wherein a nominal number of particles per gram of the multi-functional composition of matter is at least about 2.5 billion. 
     
     
         54 . The gas composition as recited in  claim 40 , wherein the multi-functional composition of matter has a Hardgrove Grindability Index of at least about 90. 
     
     
         55 . The gas composition as recited in  claim 40 , wherein the multi-functional composition of matter has a particle density and wherein, when the particle density is measured by liquid mercury volume-displacement, the particle density is at least about 0.5 g/cc and not greater than about 0.9 g/cc and, when the particle density is measured by sedimentary volume displacement, the particle density is at least about 0.3 g/cc and not greater than about 1.5 g/cc, wherein the particle density correlates to a surface area to volume ratio of the multi-functional composition of matter. 
     
     
         56 . The gas composition as recited in  claim 40 , wherein a surface of the multi-functional composition of matter has a pH of at least 8 and not greater than 12. 
     
     
         57 . The gas composition as recited in  claim 40 , wherein the gas composition is a composition of a flue gas stream. 
     
     
         58 . A gas composition, comprising:
 a multi-functional composition of matter comprising fixed carbon, minerals, and an aqueous-based solubilizing medium, wherein the multi-functional composition of matter comprises a ratio of micropore volume to mesopore volume of least 0.7 and not greater than 1.5;   elemental mercury; and   oxidized mercury converted from an elemental form to the oxidized form by the multi-functional composition of matter.   
     
     
         59 . A gas composition, comprising:
 a multi-functional composition of matter comprising fixed carbon, minerals, and an aqueous-based solubilizing medium, wherein the multi-functional composition of matter comprises a ratio of micropore volume to mesopore volume of least 0.7 and not greater than 1.5; and   elemental mercury.