Development of an online analyser to meet challenging new discharge limits for mercury in flue gas desulphurisation wastewater

Shaun Lancaster, Warren Corns, Eva Krupp, Jörg Feldmann

Publikation: Beitrag in FachzeitschriftArtikelForschungBegutachtung

Abstract

Anthropogenic emissions of mercury to the environment are of great concern due to its toxicity. The burning of coal contributes highly to Hg emissions and, as such, much lower effluent discharge limits for Hg in flue gas desulphurisation (FGD) wastewater have recently been proposed in the USA. Lower detection limits are required to meet the most demanding discharge limit of 10 ng L−1. Therefore, in this work, a new analyser for online monitoring of Hg in FGD wastewater based on syringe injections of chemicals combined with gold amalgamation – atomic fluorescence spectrometry has been developed. The instrument has been validated against international standard method ISO 17852, as well as an interference study with extreme levels of salts majorly present in FGD water. Detection limits of 1.8 ng L−1 as well as accurate performance in an on-site field trial indicate that the methodology is fit to meet the new legislation.
OriginalspracheEnglisch
Seiten (von - bis)288–300
Seitenumfang13
Fachzeitschrift Water quality research journal
Jahrgang58.2023
Ausgabenummer4
DOIs
PublikationsstatusVeröffentlicht - 11 Okt. 2023

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