Cu-BTC as a novel material for elemental mercury removal from sintering gas

Cu-BTC, as one of the metal organic frameworks (MOFs), was prepared and employed for the capture of elemental mercury (Hg0) in sintering gas. The material was characterized using TGA, XPS, XRD, BET surface measurement and TEM. Results showed that Cu-BTC had good microscopic morphologies, large BET surface area and high thermal stability, which make it suitable for sintering gas. The Hg0 removal performance was investigated under different conditions. Cu-BTC had limited Hg0 removal ability without HCl, but exhibited an excellent Hg0 removal efficiency when 15 ppm HCl was added. HCl and O2 played an important role for the Hg0 removal efficiency when they were at low concentration. According to the results of Hg0 removal performance and physiochemical characterization, the mechanism of Hg0 capture was speculated with and without HCl. Furthermore, the influence of SO2, NO and H2O were studied. SO2 has inhibition effect on the removal of Hg0, while NO can promote the Hg0 removal. As for H2O, it has nearly no effect on mercury removal. When HCl and O2 were at high concentration, the influence of SO2, NO and H2O are not significant.