NEWS RELEASE                                                                                                                JULY 2014

Mercury Removal from Natural Gas and Industrial Stacks Will Generate Billions of Dollars in Annual Revenues for Solutions Providers

There are two major factors which are creating a large market for mercury reduction. One factor is the damage mercury does to aluminum heat exchangers in the natural gas industry.  Minute quantities of mercury in the gas can quickly cause major damage to heat exchangers. As a result, mercury reduction is a required step in most gas processing facilities. The other factor is regulatory. Governments around the world are limiting mercury emissions. This activity is reported in Mercury Air Reduction Market.

The U.S with less than 5 percent of the mercury emissions is leading the way and setting reduction examples for the rest of the world.  Approximately 2,000 tons of mercury are emitted yearly due to human activities.  Much of this in vapor form travels from continent to continent, so it is worldwide problem.

Most of the world’s waste incinerators have some form of mercury control, so actual emissions are approximately 50 tons per year. More than 100 tons is captured by pollution control devices.

The U.S. has tough regulations which require compliance over the next three years. They affect coal-fired power plants, cement plants and industrial boilers.  Existing coal-fired power plants in the U.S. have limited mercury to emit less than 4 ug/m3.  Cement plants are allowed to emit 12 ug/m3.  In Germany, coal-fired boilers and incinerators are limited to 30 ug/m3. China recently limited coal-fired power plants to 30 ug/m3, but is already considering reducing the limit to less than 5 ug/3.

Ten years ago when U.S. EPA started its investigation process, activated carbon injection appeared to be the best solution. It now is apparent that there are many options which should be considered. 

McIlvaine has created a free website to help polluters around the world make the best decisions for their plant. Mercury Removal - Continuous Analyses.

More information on the markets is found at: N056 Mercury Air Reduction Market