Vapor Phase Mercury Removal by Sulfur Impregnated Activated Carbons and Sulfur Impregnation Protocol

Mercury has been identified as a potential health and environmental hazardous material. Activated carbon adsorption offers promising potential for the control of mercury emissions, and sulfur impregnated (sulfurized) activated carbons has been shown to be an effective sorbent for the removal of vapor phase $Hg{\circ}$ from sources. In this work, vapor phase mercury adsorption by sulfur impregnated activated carbons were investigated. Sulfur impregnated activated carbons were made by variation of impregnation temperature, and the comparison of adsorption characteristics with commercial virgin and sulfurized carbons were made. Factors affecting the adsorption capacity of virgin and sulfurized activated carbons such as pore characteristics, functional groups and sulfur impregnation conditions were discussed. It was found that the sulfur allotropes plays a critical role in adsorption of mercury vapor by sulfurized activated carbons.