초록 ▼

A combustion-based system and related method includes a combustor for burning a combustible material, wherein an exhaust gas stream output by the combustor includes NO2 and at least one metal including mercury. An ultraviolet light source is in optical communication with the exhaust gas stream. Ultr

A combustion-based system and related method includes a combustor for burning a combustible material, wherein an exhaust gas stream output by the combustor includes NO2 and at least one metal including mercury. An ultraviolet light source is in optical communication with the exhaust gas stream. Ultraviolet light from the light source photochemically dissociates at least a portion of the NO2 to form an NO2 reduced exhaust stream. A sorbent containing filter media receives the NO2 reduced exhaust stream and as a result of the reduction in NO2 provides improved trapping efficiency of mercury.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A combustion-based system, comprising:a combustor for burning a combustible material, wherein an exhaust gas stream output by said combustor includes NO2 and at least one metal including mercury; at least one ultraviolet light source in optical communication with said exhaust gas stream, ultravio

1. A combustion-based system, comprising:a combustor for burning a combustible material, wherein an exhaust gas stream output by said combustor includes NO2 and at least one metal including mercury; at least one ultraviolet light source in optical communication with said exhaust gas stream, ultraviolet light from said light source photo-chemically dissociating at least a portion of said NO2 to form an NO2 reduced exhaust stream, and a sorbent containing filter media for receiving said NO2 reduced exhaust stream, said filter media trapping said at least one metal. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein said system comprises a fossil fuel fired power plant.3. The system of claim 1, wherein said combustible material comprises coal.4. The system of claim 1, wherein said system comprises a waste incinerator.5. The system of claim 1, wherein said mercury in said exhaust stream is in the vapor phase.6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a particle collection device for trapping said sorbent.7. The system of claim 1, wherein said ultraviolet light source provides light in a wavelength range of 350 to 400 nm.8. The system of claim 1, wherein said system reduces an amount of NO2 in said exhaust gas to below 20 parts per million.9. The system of claim 1, wherein said system reduces an amount of NO2 in said exhaust gas to below 10 parts per million.10. The system of claim 1, wherein said system is exclusive of catalyst particles.11. The system of claim 1, wherein said sorbent media comprises activated carbon.12. The system of claim 1, wherein said light source is disposed in said exhaust gas stream.13. The system of claim 1, wherein said light source is disposed remote from said exhaust stream.14. The system of claim 13, wherein a optical fiber network transmits said ultraviolet light to said exhaust stream.15. The method of claim 14, wherein said ultraviolet light is in a wavelength range of 350 to 400 nm.16. The method of claim 14, wherein said exhaust gas stream is generated by combusting coal.17. A method for reducing mercury emissions from combustion-based systems, comprising the steps of:irradiating an exhaust gas stream including mercury and NO2 with ultraviolet light, said light photo-chemically dissociating at least a portion of said NO2 to form an NO2 reduced gas stream, and contacting said NO2 reduced gas stream with a sorbent material, wherein said sorbent traps said mercury.