Article
Energy & Fuels
Yanli Wu, Wenrui Chang, Marcos Millan, Yanhong Hao
Summary: A model for mercury transformations in a flue gas treatment process was established in this study. Concentrations, mass flow rates, and emission factors of mercury, NOX, PM, and SO2 were investigated in a coal-fired power plant. The mercury removal efficiency of different units, such as the SCR unit, ESP, and WFGD, were also analyzed. The proposed flue gas treatment process model is considered a feasible approach for quantitative evaluation of multi-pollutants emissions at plant level.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zhonggen Li, Xufeng Chen, Wenli Liu, Taishan Li, Guangle Qiu, Haiyu Yan, Mingmeng Wang, Ji Chen, Guangyi Sun, Qingfeng Wang, Xinbin Feng
Summary: This study indicates that emissions from coal-fired power plants have a noticeable impact on ambient GEM and agricultural soil THg levels in the vicinity, with approximately 3.9% of the discharged mercury accumulating in nearby soils. The low retention rate of total emitted mercury by soils is attributed to the high proportion of Hg-0 in stack gas emissions and the potential loss of Hg through reemission from soil surfaces.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Dorcas Linda Ernesto Uaciquete, Takahiro Kato, Hirokazu Okawa, Katsuyasu Sugawara, Risehiro Nonaka
Summary: This study investigated the elution pattern and dissolvable amount of mercury in desulfurization gypsum through batch and semi-batch elution tests. The results revealed that the semi-batch method is more accurate for evaluating mercury elution from desulfurization gypsum.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Qingfeng Wang, Dan Wang, Zhonggen Li, Leiming Zhang, Xinbin Feng
Summary: The study revealed that the mercury content in flue gas desulfurization gypsum of coal-fired power plants primarily originates from the flue gas, with a lesser contribution from limestone. The mercury content in gypsum correlates positively with chlorine content and mercury content in coal, while coal characteristics play a significant role in influencing mercury contents in gypsum.
Article
Thermodynamics
Chao Liu, Jinliang Xu, Mingjia Li, Qingyang Wang, Guanglin Liu
Summary: Compared to water-steam cycle, the use of supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO(2)) cycle in coal fired power plants offers higher efficiency. However, it presents challenges in the boiler where the cooler walls are prone to overheating and bursting due to the higher working fluid temperature and lower convective heat transfer coefficient. This study proposes a comprehensive solution to decrease the cooling wall temperatures by improving the thermal coupling between the radiation heat flux and CO2 fluid. Experimental results confirm the effectiveness of the proposed solution by reducing the cooling wall temperatures in a 1000 MWe power plant.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Mona Q. Dai, Benjamin M. Geyman, Xindi C. Hu, Colin P. Thackray, Elsie M. Sunderland
Summary: Hazardous air pollutants emitted by U.S. coal-fired power plants have been controlled by the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) since 2012. However, there are sociodemographic disparities in exposures to mercury from these power plants. Despite a significant decrease in atmospheric mercury deposition, communities near active power plants still face potential exposure risks, especially for individuals consuming self-caught fish. The study highlights the need for further efforts to address distributional justice and protect vulnerable populations.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Dorcas L. E. Uaciquete, Kosuke Sakusabe, Takahiro Kato, Hirokazu Okawa, Katsuyasu Sugawara, Risehiro Nonaka
Summary: Mercury forms in coal-fired power plant fly ash were qualitatively and quantitatively determined using X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) analysis. The mercury content in fly ash increased linearly with an increase in unburned carbon content. The inflection point method was used to estimate the type and abundance of chemical forms present, with a linear combination fitting of control mercury compounds used for modeling the XANES spectrum of fly ash mercury.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Shuai Yuan, Juepeng Zheng, Lixian Zhang, Runmin Dong, Ray C. C. Cheung, Haohuan Fu
Summary: In this study, a MUltistage Recursive Enhanced Detection Network (MUREN) is proposed for accurate and efficient detection of coal-fired power plants (CFPPs). The effectiveness of MUREN lies in the design of a symmetrically enhanced module, which includes a spatial-enhanced subnetwork (SEN) and a channel-enhanced subnetwork (CEN). MUREN also uses a recursive construction set on top of feature pyramid networks to strengthen feature learning for relatively small CFPPs.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Li Bing, Wang Hongliang
Summary: The study found that the main type of mercury emitted in coal-fired flue gas is gaseous mercury, and the mercury emissions from all units meet the standard requirements. SCR denitration facilities have a significant impact on mercury type, promoting the oxidation of elemental mercury into oxidized mercury that can be easily removed downstream. Particulate mercury and oxidized mercury are synergistically removed in dust removal and wet desulfurization facilities, respectively.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Qing Ye, Yu Shen, Qi Zhang, Xi Wu, Wangbiao Guo
Summary: A life-cycle assessment was conducted to evaluate the energy conversion characteristics and environmental impacts of flue gas CO2 fixation by microalgae. The results indicate that improving CO2 aeration efficiency and microalgae growth rate are crucial for advancing this technology.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Mao Hung Huang, Wei Huan Chen, Minh Man Trinh, Moo Been Chang
Summary: This study examined the mercury emissions from a coal-fired power plant in Taiwan and found that the plant's air pollution control devices effectively reduced the mercury emissions. The dominant form of mercury emitted was Hg-0, and the emission factor was relatively low compared to other studies. However, controlling mercury released from fly ash and discharged seawater is still necessary to minimize environmental damage and health effects.
SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yang Teng, Peixuan Li, Guangyu Wang, Chen Wang, Nana Qi, Kai Zhang, Minwu Wang
Summary: Field testing at a 300 MW coal-fired power station showed that selective catalytic reduction (SCR) can effectively reduce mercury content in flue gas. Commercial testing demonstrated that SCR catalyst breakage resulted in an increase in total mercury concentration at the electrostatic precipitator (ESP) inlet and outlet. Laboratory experiments confirmed the Hg0 oxidation capability of the commercial SCR catalyst.
APPLIED CATALYSIS A-GENERAL
(2023)
Article
Thermodynamics
Hui Yan, Daotong Chong, Zhu Wang, Ming Liu, Yongliang Zhao, Junjie Yan
Summary: A revised control strategy for a solar-aided coal-fired power plant is proposed to enhance energy conversion and stability. Experimental results show that the strategy improves power stability and reduces energy fluctuations.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Jieping Han, Jiachun Li, Xi Tang, Lechen Wang, Xiaolong Yang, Zeqi Ge, Fei Yuan
Summary: This paper defines the comprehensive benefits of CCUS project in coal-fired power plants as economic benefits, environmental benefits, and energy benefits, and conducts comprehensive evaluation and prediction analysis from these three aspects. The research results show that CCUS project in coal-fired power plants has a good development prospect and remarkable comprehensive benefits. Relevant policy suggestions are proposed to promote the development of CCUS project in coal-fired power plants.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
S. Saarni, T. Soininen, E. Uurasjarvi, S. Hartikainen, S. Meronen, T. Saarinen, A. Koistinen
Summary: The sediment trap method is important for measuring microplastic flux rates into sediments and providing comparable information of the spatial microplastic deposition rates. These data are essential for comparing microplastic pollution rates in different sedimentary systems and for future risk assessments.
JOURNAL OF SOILS AND SEDIMENTS
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
John B. Gordon, Hamed Sanei, Per K. Pedersen
Summary: This study evaluated the use of Random Forest (RF) machine learning model to predict Hydrogen Index (HI) and Oxygen Index (OI) from four wells offshore east coast of Newfoundland, Canada. The model showed excellent correlation coefficients and low error ranges for predicting HI and OI, demonstrating the great potential of machine learning models in predicting geochemical parameters from wireline logs.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COAL GEOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Geography, Physical
Katrine Elnegaard Hansen, Jacques Giraudeau, Audrey Limoges, Guillaume Masse, Arka Rudra, Lukas Wacker, Hamed Sanei, Christof Pearce, Marit-Solveig Seidenkrantz
Summary: This study focuses on radiocarbon dating of Arctic marine sediment, revealing significant discrepancies between bulk organic matter dating and dating based on fossils. The composition of organic matter, including input sources and variations in age offsets, plays a key role in controlling these discrepancies. The presence of terrigenous organic matter and reworked ancient organic matter influences the age offsets between bulk and foraminifera dates.
QUATERNARY GEOCHRONOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Leibo Bian, Anthony Chappaz, Niels Hemmingsen Schovsbo, Arne Thorshoj Nielsen, Hamed Sanei
Summary: This study investigates mercury enrichments in a unique Alum Shale drilled core from southeast Sweden during the late Miaolingian to Furongian period. Four mercury anomalies were found, with the most pronounced one attributed to volcanic activities.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
John B. Gordon, Hamed Sanei, Per K. Pedersen
Summary: This study examines the diagenetic processes that have contributed to the preservation of anomalously high secondary porosity and permeability in deeply buried Tithonian-aged stacked incised valley reservoir sandstone intervals. The findings indicate that thermal maturity and early calcite dissolution may have played key roles in the development of secondary porosity in these sandstones. The study also suggests a possible second phase of meteoric water flushing as a mechanism for calcite cement dissolution.
MARINE AND PETROLEUM GEOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Xiaowei Zheng, Niels H. Schovsbo, Qingyong Luo, Jia Wu, Ningning Zhong, Fariborz Goodarzi, Hamed Sanei
Summary: This study investigates the anomalous breakdown in the gradient of graptolite reflectance (GR) versus thermal maturity during artificial maturation of the Alum Shale. The suppressed GR gradient is attributed to the generation and evasion of hydrocarbon gases that cause nano-porosity vacuolation of the graptolite tissues. Applying a linear conversion formula between random GR and vitrinite reflectance (VRo) directly may lead to an underestimation of thermal maturity.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COAL GEOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Mastaneh H. Liseroudi, Omid H. Ardakani, Per K. Pedersen, Hamed Sanei
Summary: The diagenetic evolution of sedimentary basins is crucial to resource exploration, development, and CCUS. This study investigates the carbonate diagenesis in the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin to understand the origin of diagenetic fluids, flow systems, and their association with the tectonics and hydrogeology of the basin. Integrated petrographic and isotope geochemical studies provide insights into the regional history of paleofluid flow and driving mechanisms.
MARINE AND PETROLEUM GEOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Leibo Bian, Anthony Chappaz, Niels H. Schovsbo, Xiaomei Wang, Wenzhi Zhao, Hamed Sanei
Summary: The late Cambrian extinction - Early Ordovician biodiversification is a crucial lower Paleozoic biological change, but the mechanisms behind this transition are not well understood. This study reconstructed the paleoenvironmental changes and assessed the Cambro-Ordovician biological turnover. The results showed that depositional environments became extremely sulfidic with lower nutrient inputs, leading to the Steptoean Positive Carbon Isotope Excursion event. Intense volcanic activity in the early Jiangshanian contributed to recurrent bio-calamities. Later, enhanced terrestrial weathering and oceanic water upwelling facilitated biological recovery and laid the foundation for the Great Ordovician Biodiversification Event.
EARTH AND PLANETARY SCIENCE LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Geography, Physical
Stephane Bodin, Mickael Charpentier, Clemens Ullmann, Arka Rudra, Hamed Sanei
Summary: This study investigates the environmental changes and formation mechanisms of OAE 1b by analyzing the Briers section in the Vocontian Basin of France. The results suggest that the variations in organic matter during OAE 1b are mainly related to changes in continental weathering and marine primary productivity. The global carbon isotope fluctuations during OAE 1b are primarily influenced by Milankovitch-paced changes in monsoonal activity.
GLOBAL AND PLANETARY CHANGE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Jin Wu, Qingyong Luo, Ningning Zhong, Fariborz Goodarzi, Vaclav Suchy, Hamed Sanei, Christian B. Skovsted, Meijun Li, Ye Zhang, Dahua Li, Jia Wu, Daofu Song
Summary: Vitrinite-like macerals (VLM) are commonly used as a substitute for classical vitrinite in evaluating the thermal maturity of marine shales. However, the molecular structure of VLM itself has received limited attention. In this study, Raman spectroscopy was used to investigate the molecular structures and thermal evolution of VLM in natural and artificial shales. The results showed that the molecular structure of VLM gradually evolved with increasing thermal maturity, similar to classical vitrinite. Raman spectroscopy, particularly the RBS parameter, proved to be a useful tool for evaluating the thermal maturity of VLM-rich sediments.
JOURNAL OF ANALYTICAL AND APPLIED PYROLYSIS
(2023)
Article
Geography, Physical
Jennifer M. Galloway, Stephen E. Grasby, Feiyue Wang, Thomas Hadlari, Keith Dewing, Stephane Bodin, Hamed Sanei
Summary: The geochemical record of the Christopher Formation on Axel Heiberg Island, Canada, indicates variations in redox conditions and the presence of carbon isotopic excursions associated with Oceanic Anoxic Event 1b (OAE 1b). The elevated concentrations of mercury in the formation are likely sourced from sulphide minerals rather than organic matter. The input of mercury into marine basins can be predominantly detrital, and there are no clear atmospheric sources of mercury anomalies associated with specific sub-levels of OAE 1b.
PALAEOGEOGRAPHY PALAEOCLIMATOLOGY PALAEOECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Anna Sobek, Sebastian Abel, Hamed Sanei, Stefano Bonaglia, Zhe Li, Gisela Horlitz, Arka Rudra, Kazumasa Oguri, Ronnie N. N. Glud
Summary: Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are found in hadal trench sediment in the Atacama trench at depths down to 8085 m. High turnover of organic matter in the trench contributes to elevated contaminant concentrations in this extreme and remote place.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Geography, Physical
Nanna Andreasen, Rebecca Jackson, Arka Rudra, Henrik Nohr-Hansen, Hamed Sanei, Jorgen Bojesen-Koefoed, Marit-Solveig Seidenkrantz, Christof Pearce, Nicolas Thibault, Sofia Ribeiro
Summary: The origin, composition and preservation of organic matter in a marine sediment core recovered from the NE Greenland shelf were investigated using different techniques. The study revealed the continuous but variable input of land-derived organic carbon to the marine environment, with the highest input during the late Younger Dryas. The sediments represented a significant sink of recycled organic carbon, with a large proportion of inert carbon and terrigenous organic carbon.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Rasmus Stensh, Arash Abarghani, Nidhal Badrouchi, Yang Yu, Steven A. Smith, Arka Rudra, Henrik I. Petersen, Hamed Sanei
Summary: This study investigates the effects of supercritical CO2 injection on hydrocarbon residues in the Danish North Sea. The results indicate that sc-CO2 can effectively mobilize lighter hydrocarbon fractions while leaving behind heavier immiscible asphaltene-rich hydrocarbons. Pressure differences can cause the precipitation of solid bitumen, which can significantly alter the flow of sc-CO2 in the reservoir.
MARINE AND PETROLEUM GEOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Xiao-Wei Zheng, Niels-H. Schovsbo, Lei-Bo Bian, Arka Rudra, Hamed Sanei
Summary: This study used organic geochemistry and organic petrology to investigate the depositional environment, organic matter characteristics, and thermal maturity of the Cambrian-Ordovician organic-rich marine shales in the Baltic Basin. The results showed that as the maturity increased, solid bitumen became more abundant and dispersed. Additionally, a Semifusinite-like maceral was observed in one of the studied samples, indicating a possible intrusion of Permo-Carboniferous dolerite dikes. The pyrolysis data also supported the presence of immature, early mature, and over-mature samples.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
James M. Wood, Jaime Cesar, Omid H. Ardakani, Arka Rudra, Hamed Sanei
Summary: The study provides evidence for widespread migration of gas-condensate in the Montney unconventional petroleum system using carbon isotope and PVT data from co-produced hydrocarbon gas and liquid. The recognition of this migration adds complexity to the internal hydrocarbon migration history within the Montney tight-petroleum system.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)