Mercury Reduction Projects
Weston Power Plant
Environmental Retrofits at WPS
A series of emission control projects have been completed at the WPS coal-fueled power plants allowing WPS to meet stricter state and federal air quality regulatory requirements.
Mercury Reduction Project Description
The projects consisted of installing new equipment to handle and inject dry sorbent materials into the power plant's exhaust gas. The sorbents are made of powdered activated carbon that is specially sized and chemically-treated to capture mercury, acting like a mercury-absorbing sponge. The carbon sorbent is injected into the exhaust gases upstream of existing particulate matter control equipment so that it can be separated from the exhaust before the gases reach the chimney.
Pulliam Power Plant
The used carbon sorbent is collected and co-mingled with the fly ash. It is tested for suitability for beneficial reuse or landfill disposal. As the mercury is physically and chemically bound to the carbon sorbent it is prevented from re-emitting to the air or water.
Expected mercury reduction is in the 60 to 85 percent range using the activated carbon injection system.
These projects enable WPS to meet compliance targets according to Wisconsin Mercury Rule (NR446.)
Project Timeline
- June 2008 - Weston 4 (Completed/operational)
- November 2009 - Weston 3 (Completed/operational)
- December 2009 - Pulliam 8 (Completed/operational)
Project Photo Gallery
- Fall 2009 - Activated Carbon System Installation
Columbia Energy Center Mercury Reduction Project
- Spring 2011 - WPS owns 31% of the Columbia Energy Center which has approval to install an activated carbon injection system and bag house to comply with Wisconsin's mercury rule. The project is scheduled to be operational in 2014. The Columbia Plant is located near Portage, Wisconsin and WPS shares ownership with Wisconsin Power and Light and Madison Gas and Electric.
Contact Information
Jayme Van Campenhout - Project Manager
920-433-1823
JBVanCampenhout@integrysgroup.com